1942 - 2024
Covering and Connecting
Jewish Detroit Every Week
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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, reflecting 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
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thejewishnews.com
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The Detroit Jewish News
Foundation
| Board of Directors:
Chair: Gary Torgow
Vice President: David Kramer
Secretary: Robin Axelrod
Treasurer: Max Berlin
Board members: Mark Davidoff,
Michael J. Eizelman, Larry Jackier,
Jeffrey Schlussel, Mark Zausmer
Executive Director:
Marni Raitt
Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair:
Mike Smith
Founding President & Publisher Emeritus:
Arthur Horwitz
Founding Publisher
Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory
The Detroit Jewish News
Foundation Giving Society
The Rebecca and Andrew Hayman Giving Fund
Nancy and James Grosfeld
The Honorable Bernard Friedman
Editorial
Director of Editorial:
Jackie Headapohl
jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com
Contributing Editors:
David Sachs, Keri Guten Cohen
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eking@thejewishnews.com
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Suzanne Chessler, Shari S. Cohen,
Louis Finkelman, Samantha Foon,
Yevgeniya Gazman, Stacy Gittleman,
Gary Graff, 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 | JULY 4 • 2024
J
N
PURELY COMMENTARY
T
he Oct. 7 massacre, a
tragedy permanently
etched into our collec-
tive memory, thrust people into
a new reality that is marked by
grief, fear and
profound loss. In
the aftermath of
this devastating
nightmare, it has
left us grappling
with the weight
of sorrow. Yet a
resilient spirit
emerged to seek solace, healing
and empowerment.
People actively sought ref-
uge in small moments: from
community vigils at our local
synagogues, to rallies, social
events catered to young Jewish
professionals and more. Many
have also turned to the enter-
tainment industry and the
world of comedy to laugh, cry
and seek inspiration.
These fleeting distractions
became crucial lifelines for our
people, nurturing our mental
well-being and allowing us to
navigate the turbulent waters
of grief. In this crucible of
pain, the Jewish community
found strength in unity, resil-
ience in vulnerability, soli-
darity and hope in the face of
unimaginable loss. Comedy
has universally been a healthy
prescription for a temporary
distraction, but the material
projected always comes from
the intention and professional
portfolio of the talent.
Fans of stand-up comedy,
the arts and pop culture have
cautiously paid closer attention
to the source material and the
individual talent. Jewish people
across the globe have learned
to properly digest whether a
comedian is genuinely looking
to numb our pain through
healthy jokes, even if they are
projected at our own expense,
or use the stage as an excuse to
virtue signal, preach polarizing
politics and vilify communities.
As Jerry Seinfeld once said, “I
think the main power of humor
is that it reveals the absurdity
of everyday life. It shows how
crazy the whole thing is, and
the laughter makes you feel a
little better about it.”
HYPOCRISY IN THE ARTS
Over the last eight months,
Jews have also observed an
alarming trend of hypocrisy
growing within the world of
music, arts and comedy. Several
of Matisyahu’s performances
in various states were canceled
by pro-Hamas sympathizers
who orchestrated a campaign
to silence him because of his
outspoken support for Israel
and messages of global peace.
The venues instead cited “secu-
rity concerns.” Meanwhile,
the singer Kehlani released
a music video for her song
“Next 2 U’’ which begins with
the words “LONG LIVE THE
INTIFADA
” in big bold text, a
call for the resurgence of the
Palestinian-led string of violent
terror attacks against Israelis
and other nationals from 1987-
2005. Apparently, Kehlani is
still allowed to perform in
Vegas despite promoting an
open call for violence. The
venue is silent on the “security
concerns” relating to her open
call for violence.
In March, the London
Eurovision Song Contest
Screening Party was canceled
due to “Israel’s participation,”
open discrimination against
20-year-old singer Eden Golan,
who faced violent threats for no
other reason than being Jewish.
In April, Mark Ridley’s
Comedy Castle in Royal Oak
canceled a series of upcoming
shows headlined by Michael
Adar Rubin
opinion
There is Nothing Funny About Jew-Hatred