30 | MAY 30 • 2024 
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faces&places

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RT America’s 2024 ORT 
and the City fundraiser 
was a huge success on 
May 9 in Ferndale. This year’s event 
generated nearly $180,000 and 
brought in more than 300 attendees 
to celebrate art, culture and 
community while promoting ORT’s 
mission of impacting lives through 
education.
The evening consisted of dinner 
served via a variety of specialty 
food trucks, signature cocktails, 
whiskey tasting, Bombshell Treat 
Bar and an art auction featuring 
original works created by 41 
Detroit and Detroit-connected 
artists, individually selected and 
sponsored by local art collectors 
and enthusiasts. Participating 
artists were asked to create a piece 
reflecting the theme “Let Your Light 
Shine.”
Event co-chairs Elizabeth 
Anne Belkin, Marisa Ruby and 
Jodi Trivax were supported by a 

dynamic planning committee who 
are passionate about both the arts 
and promoting ORT. 
Huntington Bank served as this 
year’s presenting sponsor. Other 
event sponsors included Kenwal, 
Taft, Elizabeth Anne Belkin, Deb 
and Steve Rosenthal, the Torgow 
Family, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, 
Iron Ridge, Wallside Windows, 
Nicole and Bubba Urdan, Saks Fifth 
Avenue, Detroit City Distillery and 
Duo Fine Art Services.
Proceeds from this year’s event 
will help provide critical mental 
health services to ORT students in 
Israel, Ukraine and other parts of 
the world who are experiencing the 
trauma of war, the persistent fear 
of violence and the unknown, and 
historic levels of antisemitism. 

To learn more about the event or about 
ORT’s work, contact Nicole Miller, 
director of ORT America Michigan 
Region, at (248) 723-8860 or nmiller@
ortamerica.org.

ORT and the City 
Fundraiser Raises 
$180,000

Featured 
artist Ilene 
Kahan in 
front of her 
art piece

Attendees Sue 
Kaufman and 
Ellen Sherman

Featured artist Elyse 
Shapiro Frihsée in front 
of her art piece with 
attendee Robyn Lewis

Detroit Federation 
Shinshinim with 
attendees Jordan 
and Michal Nodel. 

Alan Nachman 
and Marlene 
Rosenberg

