24 | MAY 9 • 2024
J
N
J
ewish Family Service is shining a light
on mental health in the community at
the agency’s Spotlight Event at 7 p.m.,
Wednesday, May 22, at the Flagstar Strand
Theatre in Pontiac
The evening, which is part of the Reva
Stocker Lecture Series, will feature the
nationally renowned comedian Gary
Gulman, star of two HBO comedy spe-
cials and author of his recently published
memoir, Misfit: Growing up Awkward in the
’80s. Through his authentic storytelling and
brilliant humor, Gary provides a little levity
around the serious issue of mental health.
Jewish Family Service will also be honor-
ing Rabbi Daniel Syme that evening for his
lifelong work in the field of suicide preven-
tion.
“We couldn’t possibly shine a light on
mental health and suicide prevention without
recognizing the work of Rabbi Daniel Syme.
JFS and our community, and so many people
throughout our world, owe a huge debt of
gratitude to Rabbi Syme’s work in suicide
prevention over these last 50 years,
” said JFS
CEO Perry Ohren.
Rabbi Syme, rabbi emeritus at Temple Beth
El in Bloomfield Toqnship, has long been a
vocal advocate of suicide prevention. He cre-
ated “Hand of Hope,
” an educational resource
program teaching kids and parents about the
warning signs of suicide. He partnered with
national sports teams, celebrities and athletes
to spread awareness and raise money to curb
the epidemic of suicide. He is the co-execu-
tive producer of a documentary called Death
is Not the Answer and is the founder of the
Single Soul Suicide Prevention program of
Jewish Family Service, which he launched
after his retirement.
“It was so appropriate for rabbi’s ‘encore
career’ to take place at Jewish Family Service,
”
Ohren said. “
All that Danny has wanted to
do since his brother’s tragic death by suicide,
is to, one soul at a time, get people the help
they need. Whether employed by the URJ,
Temple Beth El or JFS, Rabbi Syme has spent
a part of every day counseling people and
connecting them to lifesaving and affirming
resources.
”
Rabbi Syme’s favorite Talmud verse, “If
a person saves one life, it is as though that
person saved the entire world,
” has been the
guiding principle by which he has tried to
live his life, he said.
Mental health services and suicide
prevention continue to be a growing need
in Metro Detroit’s Jewish community.
Fortunately, Jewish Family Service is a leader
in this area, providing critical counseling
services and suicide prevention trainings.
The dollars raised from the event will
support the agency’s greatest needs and help
provide critical services to the community.
For tickets and sponsorship information, visit
jfsspotlightevent.org or call (248) 592-2339.
Gary Gulman headlines
Spotlight event that
honors Rabbi Daniel
Syme.
JFS Shines
a Light
on Mental
Health
JACKIE HEADAPOHL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
OUR COMMUNITY
DETAILS
An Evening of Laughter with
Gary Gulman
Wednesday, May 22, 7 p.m.
Flagstar Strand Theatre,
12 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac
Chairs: Gail Danto and Art Roffet,
and Jordon and Alex Wertheimer
Perry
Ohren
Rabbi
Daniel
Syme