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