CEO Steve Ingber and the rest of the staff at 
Federation. “I’m grateful for the conversa-
tions I’ve been having with Federation staff 
and former Federation presidents and their 
continued engagement,
” he said. “We have 
a great group of people on the Executive 
Committee at Federation.
”
The priorities of the community haven’t 
changed much, Torgow said. Those pri-
orities remain eldercare, education, Israel, 
NEXTGen, assisting all those in need in our 
community, and ensuring the safety and 
security of the Jewish community of Detroit, 
in Israel and around the world.
He sees the role of the Federation as being 
three-pronged. One is the Federation’s role 
as the central fundraiser for the Jewish com-
munity. Another is allocating those funds 
to the greater good. The third priority is 
“helping members of the Jewish community 
to enhance their identity, increase their par-
ticipation in Jewish life and come into the 
Federation and Jewish community ‘tent,
’” 
Torgow said.
One of Torgow’s goals is to increase the 
number of donors. “We have three wonder-
ful Campaign chairs for the coming year, 
Nate Forbes, Deb Rosenthal and Rob Orley, 
who will continue to build on the fundrais-
ing success of Federation,
” he said. 
In 2022, the Annual Campaign raised 

$35,450,000, an increase of $1.2 million over 
2021 and the largest Annual Campaign in 
Federation history. Almost 10,000 people 
came forward with donations at every level.
Torgow and Berger also hope to continue 
building on the successful Centennial Fund, 
an endowment fund launched by Nancy 
Grosfeld to ensure the future of Jewish 
Detroit. The Fund, which had an original 
goal of $250 million, has now reached $285 
million in commitments. “This fund is a 
security blanket going forward for the com-
munity,
” Berger said. “
And it’s a testament to 
our generous community.
”
In his role as Foundation president, Berger 
will be the steward of the Detroit Jewish 
community’s money and assets, including 
the Centennial Fund as well as 1.1 million 
square feet of real estate. 
“We have unbelievable facilities in this 
community, but they constantly need renew-
al,
” Berger said. “We remain committed to 
ensuring all of our facilities are first-class and 

welcoming to the community.
”

Part of that task means ensuring the secu-
rity of the community, especially during a 
time of rising antisemitism. In March 2022, 
Federation established Jewish Community 
Security Inc. (JCSI) — an independent 
security organization tasked with protecting 
Jewish Detroit. JCSI team members are sta-
tioned at schools, summer camps, campuses 
and buildings throughout the community. 
The team also assists synagogues and other 
Jewish institutions by providing consultation, 
education and training to instill a culture of 
vigilance and safety.
“We have best-in-class in the way of secu-
rity,
” Berger said. “
And we’re going to contin-
ue that.
” The Federation recently received a 
$15 million security grant from the state of 
Michigan to be used over the next four years 
to enhance the security of Detroit’s Jewish 
community even further.
The Federation and Foundation will 
continue to be great partners to Federation 
agencies in fundraising, delivering program-
ming and helping them to manage their 
businesses in the most effective ways. “Their 
success is our success,
” Torgow said. 
Now that the pandemic is over, Berger 
says they will also focus on expanding 
opportunities for more people to engage 
with Federation and the greater Jewish com-
munity. 
“I’m a Temple Israel member and Gary is 
an involved member of the Orthodox com-
munity. We have overlapping but different 
networks,
” Berger said. “Together, I think we 
can involve more people who otherwise may 
not have been connected to Federation and 
give them the opportunity to get involved.
”
Torgow added, “One of the wonderful 
things about the Detroit Jewish community 
is our unity of interest and purpose, our 
camaraderie and common goals to strength-
en the Jewish people, support Israel, uplift 

each other and take care of those who need 
our support. Detroit has a history going 
back many, many years of strengthening the 
Jewish people, both at home and around the 
world.
“It doesn’t matter what stage of life you’re 
in, your economic status or your level of 
observance, we must be united as a Jewish 
community,
” Torgow added. “I think what 
makes the Almighty happiest is when He 
sees His family is united and peaceful.
” 

STANDING WITH ISRAEL
The Oct. 7 terrorist attack and the ensuing 
war with Hamas has been heart-shattering 
for the Israeli people and for the Jewish 
people worldwide. Two of those killed spent 
time in our own community, as participants 
in the Israeli Camper Program at Tamarack.
“The loss is unfathomable, and our hearts 
go out to all the innocent victims of this 
terrorist assault. We are also praying for the 
safe return of over 200 hostages still being 
held by Hamas and other terrorist groups,
” 
Torgow said.
Berger added, “Fortunately, when collec-
tive action is needed, the Federation is there 
to raise and mobilize resources. Nationally, 
this has been one of the largest Jewish 
community mobilizations in American his-
tory, and as always Detroit has had a promi-
nent role.
”
Berger said that to date, more than 2,500 
donors responded with over $23 million for 
Federation’s Israel Emergency Campaign. 
“We are very grateful for every single dona-
tion from this very generous community,
” 
he said. 
The resources will be allocated to 
Federation’s international partner agencies, 
including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, 
World ORT and the Israel Trauma Coalition. 
“We have already begun to support a 
variety of immediate and urgent needs, such 
as medical care, emergency services, evacu-
ation, transport, housing and trauma relief,
” 
Torgow said.
“Despite the extraordinary response, we 
know that the weeks and months ahead will 
be very difficult for the Israeli people, and 
especially for those who have been injured, 
traumatized or displaced,
” he added.
“
As always, we will be there for the people 
of Israel in their time of need.
” 

OUR COMMUNITY

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ON THE COVER

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