DECEMBER 28 • 2023 | 17

Jewish Western 
Michigan 
University 
hockey star, 
Max Sasson, 
signs with 
the NHL’s 
Vancouver 
Canucks. 

International 
social media 
phenomenon, 
“#EndJewHatred,” 
opens Michigan 
chapter with 
Adar Rubin as its 
director. 

The movie Barbie is a box office 
blockbuster. The famous Barbie doll 
was invented in 1959 by Jewish 
co-owner of Mattel Toys, Ruth 
Handler. 

09-10

SEPTEMBER

60-Year 
Reunion of 
Mumford 
High School 
is held.
15

SEPTEMBER

The United Automobile Workers of 
America headquartered in Detroit 
begins a national strike against 
Ford, General Motors and Stellantis 
companies. The strike ends on Oct. 30.

Israel is officially 
admitted as the 41st 
nation in the U.S. Visa 
Waiver Program. On 
Nov. 30, Israelis will be 
able to visit the U.S. for 
up to 90 days without 
a visa. 

27

SEPTEMBER

The movie Golda is released. It focuses 
on Golda Meir’s actions as prime 
minister of Israel during the Yom Kippur 
War in 1973. 

B’nai Israel Synagogue 
celebrates its 90th 
anniversary.

06

SEPTEMBER

09

OCTOBER

More than 2,000 Israel 
supporters attend an 
evening of solidarity for 
Israel at Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek in 
Southfield. Speakers 
include Michigan Gov. 
Gretchen Whitmer, 
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters 
and Jewish Federation of 
Detroit CEO Steve Ingber. 

continued on page 18

The Gilbert Family Foundation announces 
that, in honor of Nick Gilbert, who died of 
complications from Neurofibromatosis, it 
will contribute $375 million for the creation 
of the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis 
Research Institute in partnership with Henry 
Ford Health and Michigan State University 
Health Sciences. 

ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS

Barbie is a box office blockbuster. The 
ionic doll has Jewish roots.

SEPTEMBER

The Nick Gilbert 
Neurofibromatosis 
Research Institute 
will be housed in the 
Henry Ford Health 
+ Michigan State 
University’s new 
research building to 
be built on Henry 
Ford Health’s east 
campus.

Helen Mirren in Bleecker Street/ShivHans 
Pictures’ Golda

SEAN GLEASON, COURTESY OF BLEECKER 
STREET/SHIVHANS PICTURES

People show 
their love for 
Israel by making 
heart signs with 
their hands at 
the Oct. 9 rally 
at Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek.

JOHN HARDWICK

