1942 - 2023

Covering and Connecting 
Jewish Detroit Every Week

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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 
FOUNDATION
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Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the 
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com

 
 
Publisher
The Detroit Jewish 
News Foundation

| Board of Directors:
 Chair: Gary Torgow
 Vice President: David Kramer 
 Secretary: Robin Axelrod
 Treasurer: Max Berlin
 Board members: Michael J. Eizelman 
 Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel, 
 Mark Zausmer
 
 
 Executive Director:
 Marni Raitt 
 Senior Advisor to the Board: 
 Mark Davidoff
 Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: 
 Mike Smith
 Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: 
 Arthur Horwitz
 Founding Publisher 
 Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

 

 Editorial 
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Suzanne Chessler, Shari S. Cohen, 
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Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, 
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6 | SEPTEMBER 28 • 2023 J
N

column
Keego Harbor Mayor Rob Kalman 
Reflects on Leadership, Judaism 
– and Working with JCRC/AJC
I

n the peaceful enclave of 
Keego Harbor in Oakland 
County, Mayor Rob Kalman 
stands as a symbol of leader-
ship, representing the multifac-
eted dimensions 
of Jewish identity 
and proactive 
community 
building. Kalman 
explores the life 
and experiences 
that have shaped 
him and his 
unique perspective on Judaism, 
advocacy and the profound art 
of taking action.
Mayor Kalman’s journey 
commenced in Southfield 
where he was raised in a 

Conservative Jewish family. His 
formative years were deeply 
rooted in a strong connection 
to his Jewish heritage. He 
attended Hebrew school and 
celebrated his bar mitzvah, 
fostering an early bond with his 
roots. 
At age 10, Kalman experi-
enced a chilling incident during 
an Israeli Independence Day 
festival when he encountered a 
group of neo-Nazis. This vivid 
event marked his initial and 
sole encounter with antisem-
itism during his early years 
— making him keenly aware of 
his Judaism at a young age.
Kalman graduated from 
the University of Michigan in 

the early 1990s. After leaving 
Ann Arbor, he embarked on 
an impactful journey in Israel 
through Project Otzma, a 
Jewish Federation program. His 
transformative year in Israel 
was highlighted by a two-week 
volunteer stint on a southern 
military base where the Israel 
Defense Forces (IDF) trained 
officers. He closely interacted 
with the younger command 
staff, gaining valuable insights 
into their pivotal roles in 
safeguarding the nation. This 
experience was instrumental 
in shaping Kalman’s commit-
ment to combating hatred and 
proudly representing his identi-
ty and values. 

With a newfound curiosity 
and commitment to his Jewish 
identity, while pursuing his 
master of business administra-
tion degree at Michigan State 
University’s Eli Broad College 
of Business, he discovered a 
source of solace and deep con-
nection by regularly attending 
Hillel on Friday nights. These 
gatherings weren’t just about 
religious observance; they 
were vibrant hubs of cultural 
exchange, intellectual explora-
tion and spiritual connection. 
Amidst this stimulating 
environment, Kalman was first 
introduced to the American 
Israel Public Affairs Committee 
(AIPAC). His experience at 

PURELY COMMENTARY

Michael 
Kuper

continued on page 8

