1942 - 2024

Covering and Connecting 
Jewish Detroit Every Week

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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 
FOUNDATION
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MISSION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will be of service to the Jewish community. The Detroit Jewish 
News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish 
people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel.

VISION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will operate to appeal to the broadest segments of the greater 
Detroit Jewish community, refl
 ecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the 
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com

Publisher
The Detroit Jewish 
News Foundation

| Board of Directors:
 Chair: Gary Torgow
 Vice President: David Kramer
 Secretary: Robin Axelrod
 Treasurer: Max Berlin
 Board members: Michael J. Eizelman
 Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel,
 Mark Zausmer

 Executive Director:
Marni Raitt
 Senior Advisor to the Board: 
Mark Davidoff
 Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: 
 Mike Smith
 Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: 
Arthur Horwitz
Founding Publisher 
 Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

 Editorial
Director of Editorial: 
Jackie Headapohl
jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com
Contributing Editors: 
David Sachs, Keri Guten Cohen
Senior Staff Reporter: 
Danny Schwartz
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Editorial Assistant: 
Sy Manello
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Digital Manager:
Elizabeth King
eking@thejewishnews.com

Contributing Writers:
Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn,
Suzanne Chessler, Shari S. Cohen, 
Louis Finkelman, Samantha Foon, 
Yevgeniya Gazman, Stacy Gittleman, 
Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, 
Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller,
Alan Muskovitz, Karen Schwartz,
Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein, 
Nathaniel Warshay, Julie Smith Yolles, 
Ashley Zlatopolsky 

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6 | MARCH 21 • 2024 
J
N

essay
A Beacon of Hope
A

few weeks ago, my 
journey led me to 
Israel for a signif-
icant mission: selecting the 
Detroit 2024-2025 ShinShinim 
alongside my 
esteemed col-
leagues. Each 
trip to Israel 
holds its own 
anticipation and 
excitement, but 
this particular 
visit carried a 
unique energy, tinged with 
anticipation and reflection 
following the events of Oct. 
7. Originally scheduled for 
December, the trip had been 
postponed due to the conflict 
and lack of flights.
Arriving in Israel during 
such a pivotal moment, my 
conversations with friends 
and associates naturally grav-
itated toward somber subjects 

— hostages, funerals and 
the burden of reserve duty. 
The weight of recent events 
lingered in the air, whether 
in the hushed tones of coffee 
shop conversations or the 
shared experiences of those 
seeking shelter in my hotel. 
Memories of life before the 
unrest on Oct. 7 were palpable 
in every encounter.
Amidst this backdrop, the 
screening process for the 
ShinShinim program served as 
a beacon of hope. Witnessing 
the determination and cour-
age of these young Israelis, 
who saw building connections 
between Israel and the dias-
pora as paramount, filled me 
with optimism. In the after-
math of Oct. 7, the support of 
American Jewry toward Israel 
has been unwavering. In their 
partnership with the Detroit 
community, it’s evident that 

knowing they have a network 
of support — individuals pray-
ing, thinking, and advocating 
for them — provides solace 
to those facing challenging 
times. Come August 2024, 
five outstanding individuals 
will embark on their ShinShin 
year in Detroit, recognizing 
how the events of Oct. 7 have 
underscored the importance 
of unity within global Jewry.
Reflecting on my time in 
Israel, one profound realiza-
tion stands out: the resilience 
and indomitable spirit of the 
Israeli people. Despite facing 
formidable challenges, there 
was a prevailing determi-
nation among everyone I 

encountered to envision a 
future where discussions no 
longer center around threats 
and uncertainty but rather 
around hope and progress.
As I contemplate my return 
to Israel in late spring, I hold 
on to the fervent hope that the 
days of discussing hostages 
and rockets will soon become 
relics of the past. May our 
community, united, be blessed 
with health, safety and pros-
perity as we journey forward 
together as a steadfast Jewish 
people. 

Allison Gutman is senior associate in 

the Israel & Overseas Department of 

the Jewish Federation of Detroit.

PURELY COMMENTARY

Allison 
Gutman

