DECEMBER 28 • 2023 | 19

21

OCTOBER

Michigan State Reps. Noah Arbit 
and Samantha Steckoff sponsor 
successful legislation for official 
celebrations of religious holidays 
including Rosh Hashanah and Yom 
Kippur. 

Beginning after the Oct. 7 
terrorist attack on Israel, 
college and university 
campuses experience a 
rise in antisemitism. 

NOVEMBER
DECEMBER

07

DECEMBER

“Menorah in the D” is held 
in Downtown Detroit, the 
celebration concluded 
with the lighting of the 
giant 26-foot menorah on 
Campus Martius. 

13

DECEMBER

The Detroit Pistons host 
Jewish Heritage Night at 
Little Ceasars Arena in 
Detroit.

Samantha Woll, beloved Jewish leader 
and president of the Isaac Agree 
Downtown Synagogue, was found 
murdered outside her home in Detroit. 
The news of her death made international 
headlines.

21

OCTOBER

Gary Torgow is elected 
president of the 
Jewish Federation of 
Detroit for a three-
year term. At the same 
meeting, Michael 
Berger is elected 
president of the United 
Jewish Foundation 
of Detroit. They 
succeed Matt Lester 
and Dennis Bernard, 
respectively. 

Gary 
Torgow
Michael 
Berger

Mark Davidoff is awarded the 
Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award 
for Distinguished Service, the 
Jewish Federation of Detroit’s 
highest honor

19

OCTOBER

#EndJewHatred 
held at rally at 
Orchard Lake Road 
and Northwestern 
Highway. U.S. Rep.
Haley Stevens 
spoke at the rally.

Mark Davidoff won the Butzel 
Award, Detroit Federation’s 
highest honor.

Gary Torgow was named president of the Jewish 
Federation of Detroit and Michael Berger will serve as 
president of the United Jewish Foundation.

 JOHN HARDWICK

Samantha Woll was stabbed to death 
at her home in Detroit.

This year, two family 
 
members of Hamas-held hos-
tages are honorary 
 
lamp lighters.