FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 23
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any American 
Jews are interest-
ed in Israeli life, 
especially its politics, and 
follow its important events 
and issues. The Israel and 
Overseas Department of Jewish 
Federation of Detroit occasion-
ally presented programs about 
Israeli issues; but during the 
pandemic, there was an interest 
in doing more. 
About three years ago, the 
Overseas Department staff, its 
volunteer lay leadership and 
Yiftah Leket, then Federation’s 
shlichah or Israeli community 
ambassador, decided to start a 
Zoom series focusing on Israeli 
issues with Israeli speakers. “We 
wanted to take a deeper dive — 
more than what you read in the 
daily newspapers,
” explained 
Betsy Heuer, volunteer co-chair 
of the educational series which 
was named “Coffee Press.
” Ron 
Sollish and Jeff Schlussel share 
duties with her as Coffee Press 
co-chairs. 
Six months ago, Lior Zisser-
Yogev took Leket’s place as 
Detroit’s community shli-
chah working at Federation 
and, since then, she helps the 
co-chairs choose interesting 
topics and speakers. Zisser-
Yogev, who formerly worked 
for the Israeli government, 
explained that “anyone can read 
the news. This is more in-depth 
from an Israeli perspective — 
focusing on how events affect 
Israelis and other Jewish indi-
viduals. We look for someone 
who is knowledgeable and 
involved in the issue.
”
Topics have included Israeli 

elections and its government 
structure; religion and the 
Israeli government; the “deli-
cate balance” between Ukraine, 
Israel and Russia; and gen-
der-based violence and sexual 
assault. Speakers have included 
an Israeli broadcast journalist, a 
Knesset member and a lawyer/
CEO involved in the advance-
ment of women. 
The planned topic for March 
is the recent United Nations 
International Court of Justice 
genocide trial against Israel; a 

date for that Coffee Press ses-
sion will be announced. 
According to Schlussel, 
Coffee Press participants com-
prise “a good cross-section of 
our community although it 
skews a little older. Anyone can 
join. Most are Detroiters but not 
all. People who participate really 
enjoy it.
” 
Some have been part of 
Federation missions to Israel. 
“It’s educational and gets more 
people interested in Israel,
” 
Zisser-Yogev says.

Coffee Press is usually held 
monthly except for the sum-
mertime. Approximately 80 
people participate with the 
ability to ask questions through 
Zoom’s chat function, mod-
erated by the co-chairs. The 
Coffee Press series, presented 
at 10 a.m. on Sundays, is free 
and open to all. Program infor-
mation is posted in advance on 
JLive (https://jlive.app) as well 
as Federation’s website (myjew-
ishdetroit.org) and its Facebook 
page. 
 

Federation’s Coffee Press series provides a ‘deep dive’ 
into Israeli current events.
Coffee and Current Events

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Betsy Heuer
Lior Zisser-Yogev
Jeff 
Schlussel

