30 | JUNE 20 • 2024 
J
N

O

n May 29, The J - 
Detroit was one of three 
partners nationwide 
selected to host a premiere 
screening of Ezra, a Hollywood 
feature film released in theaters 
on May 31.
Starring an all-star cast 
of Robert DeNiro, Whoopi 
Goldberg, Vera Farmiga and 
Bobby Cannavale, Ezra is a 
comedy-drama film about the 
struggles of co-parenting a 
son with autism. Its premiere 
screening, which was held 
at Emagine Palladium in 
Birmingham, marked a major win 
for the Jewish community and 
families of children with autism.
The invite-only event saw 
tickets extended to people 
involved or interested in The J’s 
Opening the Doors program, 
which has provided inclusive 
academic services for 1,200 
children of all abilities to succeed 
in Jewish classrooms since its 
enactment in 1995.
For these families, and those 
who attended the premiere, Ezra 
was a powerful, moving film that 
shined a light on inclusivity and 
promoted acceptance, regardless 
of ability.
Ellen Maiseloff, senior director 
of Opening the Doors, says it was 
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity 
for The J - Detroit to receive such 

It was one of three partners nationwide selected 
for a premiere screening of Ezra, a film about 
parenting a son with autism.

A Prestigious Honor 
for The J - Detroit

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

Speaker 
Elaine Hall

Debbie Levin, Rochelle Morais, Tova Slome, 
Sandee Penn, Elaine Hall, Ellen Maiseloff, 
Debbi Stybel and Shoshana Baruch

Debbi Stybel, donor 
Nancy Kaufman, 
speaker Elaine Hall 
and Ellen Maiseloff

