NOVEMBER 9 • 2023 | 25

MAKING AN IMPACT
However, the support didn’t 
stop there. On Oct. 24 and 25, 
many local clergy returned to 
Hillel Day School to continue 
to stand in solidarity with 
families and staff.
Jewish Michigan State 
Rep. Samantha Steckloff also 
came out to support Hillel 
Day School, which is in her 
district, and met with students 
and Israeli teachers.
“We’ve had a lovely 
outpouring of support,” Katz 
says.
In addition, Franklin’s 
Zieben Mare boutique held 
a fundraiser on Oct. 19 that 
donated 10% of sales to Jewish 
Federation of Detroit’s Israel 
Emergency Campaign and 
10% to Hillel Day School.
“Our parents were touched 
that a business owned by 
a non-Jew was willing to 
take a stand and show their 
support of Israel and the 
Jewish community,” says Amy 
Sapeika, communications 
manager at Hillel Day School.
“People want to feel like 
they’re doing something, like 
they’re helping,” Katz echoes.
Since the onset of the crisis, 
Hillel also designated every 
Wednesday as Israel Support 
Apparel Day, where staff and 
students are encouraged to 
dress in blue and white to 
represent the Israeli flag.
The school is also hosting 
informative sessions for 
students and families to 
continue to learn more about 
the impacts of the situation 
unfolding in Israel and 
worldwide.
“We continue to do very 
good work to educate our 
students about the ongoing 
war,” Katz says, “and the rise 
of antisemitism, so that they 
can share in a space that’s 
safe.” 

D

uring critical life 
changes such as 
divorce, death of a 
husband or financial losses, 
many local women benefit 
from free workforce programs 
offered by Gesher Human 
Services. 
 Through Gesher’s Women 
to Work career counseling, 
financial education, computer 
training and support services, 
they are able to gain job-
hunting skills, build confidence 
and jumpstart a career. Gesher 
is a nonprofit human services 
organization created through 
the unification of JVS Human 
Services and Kadima.
To fund these and other 
workforce programs as well 
as assistance for prospective 
homebuyers, Gesher will 
hold its 15th annual Trade 
Secrets fundraiser at 6 p.m. 
on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the 
Marriott Troy, 200 W
. Big 
Beaver. The event includes a 
reception, dinner and silent 
auction.
This year’s honoree and 
keynote speaker is Monni 
Must, a master photographer 
well known for her portraits, 
especially her Living Witnesses 
series that documents the 
stories of Holocaust survivors. 
Must was searching for new 
meaning in life after her eldest 
daughter Miya’s suicide at age 
28 in 2007. She reached out 
to local Holocaust survivors, 

hoping that creating their 
portraits could “help her 
move on.
” More than 100 
individuals expressed interest 
in having photographs 
taken and published with 
personal accounts of their 
lives. The project eventually 
encompassed 400 Holocaust 
survivors in seven countries, 
including many Detroiters. 
Must has also worked 
with the Jewish Hospice 
and Chaplaincy, originally 
at the suggestion of Rabbi 
E.B. “Bunny” Freedman, 
its founder. Must helped to 
effectively tell its story through 
photos of individuals who have 
been helped by Jewish Hospice; 
these photos became part of a 
new organizational brochure. 
Must was involved for 
years with one of Kadima’s 
residential homes for 
individuals with emotional 
problems. “Gesher is nothing 
short of astounding. It helps 
people be able to function, to 
maneuver in a world that is 
difficult to manage on your 
own. Everyone goes through 
a difficult time in their lives. 
For those without resources, 
Gesher helps you go forward,
” 
Must says.
Gesher Human Services 
CEO Paul Blatt said that 
Must is an inspiration to any 
woman facing obstacles in her 
life. “Monni was faced with 
a terrible tragedy and used 

Miya’s memory as a force for 
good in our community. She 
is a shining light to any person 
who is trying to find purpose 
and hope,
” he said.
Trade Secrets will also honor 
Lia Threatt with the Gesher 
Triumph Award. Threatt was 
able to reinvent her work life 
after being laid off — finding 
a new job and taking charge of 
her family’s financial situation 
through coaching from Gesher. 
“I was in a really bad place 
but after working with the team 
on interview skills, my resume 
and my finances, I just felt more 
positive,
” she said. “I wouldn’t 
be where I am now without the 
help I got from Gesher.
” 

Gesher Human Services will 
honor photographer Monni Must 
at benefit for workforce programs. 

15th Annual 
Trade Secrets 
Fundraiser 

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

To purchase tickets 
or a sponsorship for 
Trade Secrets, visit 
geshermi.org/events/
trade-secrets. For 
additional information, 
contact Lindsey Fox at 
(248) 233-4343 
or email 
 lfox@geshermi.org.

Monni Must

Lia Threatt

