NOVEMBER 9 • 2023 | 13
J
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T

he Jewish Federation 
of Detroit and its sister 
organization, the United 
Jewish Foundation, officially 
welcomed their new leaders 
at Federation’s 
annual meeting 
in October. Gary 
Torgow is the 
incoming presi-
dent, taking over 
from Matt Lester. 
Michael Berger is 
taking the reins of 
the United Jewish 
Foundation from 
Dennis Bernard.
“It was a bless-
ing of a lifetime 
to serve our great 
Jewish communi-
ty,” Bernard said. “I’m grateful 

for the generations of leaders 
that came before Matt and 
me, which set us up for suc-
cess despite the challenges we 
faced, such as the pandemic, 
economic uncertainty and ris-
ing antisemitism. 
“Gary and Michael are the 
right people at the right time 
to take over leadership,” he 
added. “They need to be the 
people they’ve always been 
and continue to lead with 
their gentle yet firm natures. 
I’m sure they’ll continue the 
tradition of great leadership 
to build and strengthen the 
greatest Jewish community in 
North America.”
Torgow and Berger 
have been preparing 
for their leader-

ship roles for more than a year 
with the help of their prede-
cessors.
“The community has 
never been stronger thanks 
to the leadership of Matt and 
Dennis, who were thrown a 
few curveballs during their 
tenure, mainly the COVID 
pandemic,” Berger said. “They 
have spent a great deal of time 
with me and Gary, bringing us 
up to speed, in order to ensure 
a smooth transition.”
Torgow echoes Berger’s 
praise. “Matt and Dennis 
have done an amazing job 
shepherding the Federation 
and Foundation. Michael and 
I hope to follow their lead 
and continue the good work 
they’ve done for the commu-

nity, and I’m thrilled with the 
opportunity to work with my 
good friend Michael going 
forward,” he said.
Federation CEO Steve 
Ingber said, “Speaking on 
behalf of our 
entire Federation 
staff, I feel incred-
ibly fortunate to 
be working with 
Gary and Michael 
in their new roles 
as presidents 
of the Jewish 
Federation and United Jewish 
Foundation. Both are deeply 
committed community leaders 
who bring a depth of experi-
ence and wisdom. I know that 
they will continue to build 
on the outstanding work of 
our immediate past-presi-
dents Matt Lester and Dennis 
Bernard, and will no doubt 
make their own unique mark 
on our organization.”
Lester said he and Bernard 
are leaving their roles “with a 
tremendous feeling of accom-
plishment and gratitude for 
the people who worked so 
hard with us on behalf of our 
Detroit Jewish community.
“I’m very excited for the 
community as Michael and 
Gary take over,” he added. 
“The combination of Gary 
and Michael can be defined as 
high intellect intersected with 
kindness, and it bodes well for 
the Jewish community.”

Gary Torgow and Michael Berger succeed Matt Lester and 
Dennis Bernard at helm of Jewish Federation and Foundation.

JACKIE HEADAPOHL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Steven 
Ingber

Matt Lester

Dennis 
Bernard

continued on page 14

