activist.’ 
“I have spent much 
of the last 11 months 
standing up and 
speaking out for the 
Jewish community. In 
addition to my full-
time business as a 
marketing consultant, I 
am now traveling the country and 
giving talks to groups about the 
importance of doing what’s right. 
“This has also changed the 
makeup of my client base, as now, 
many Jewish-owned businesses and 
causes have come to me for projects. 
Additionally, as the owner of a small 
business mentorship for women, 
many Jewish women have joined my 
group mentorship because they feel 
connected to me. My community 
has expanded greatly. 
“What the last 11 months have 
shown me is that the Jewish 
community is stronger than ever. 
We must commit to continuing to 
make it even stronger. I grew up in 
the Detroit area and have lived in 
Chicago for the past 23 years. My 
Jewish advocacy has kept me tied 
and connected with the Detroit 
Jewish community in a way that I 
am forever grateful for.” — Lindsay 
Pinchuk, marketing consultant and 
Instagram social media influencer

“It is difficult to put 
into words how my 
life has changed since 
Oct. 7. I’ve become 
more careful with 
being outwardly Jewish 
and, at the same time, 
more public with my 
Judaism. I want to 
express my support for Israel and be 
my whole Jewish self, and I know 
that sometimes it is best to show up 
halfway. 
“I have felt more attached to 
Israel, and my emotions toward the 
country have turned into a mixture 
of sadness, confusion and shock. 
The situation there has made me 
question my opinions about Israel, 
which go back and forth between 

harshness and compassion and 
understanding. 
“As a rabbi, I feel I must speak up 
more about the challenges in Israel 
and that I have to have an answer. 
But I do not always have an answer. 
If I did, I don’t think it would 
necessarily be the right one. 
“I know it is important to protest 
the treatment of the hostages, and 
I also appreciate the importance of 
visiting Israel during this difficult 
time. However, I do not feel 
compelled to visit or protest as I 
have many safety concerns. 
“Unfortunately, I don’t see any 
changes coming as a result of those 
protests. Sadly, it feels like where we 
are now has become homeostasis 
for Israel and for me. I don’t want 
to feel this way and yet, I have no 
control over it.” — Rabbi Natalie 
Shribman, Temple Kol Ami

“Our everlasting 
loyalty and commitment 
to Israel has become 
that much stronger since 
Oct. 7. We now recite 
Avinu Shebashamayim 
[the prayer for the state 
of Israel] each morning; 
we routinely incorporate additional 
prayers for the IDF and our Israeli 
brothers and sisters during tefillah. 
“When it comes to security, we 
have become extra vigilant, even 
on top of our top-notch security 
before Oct. 7. We are committed to 
sending our eighth graders to Israel 
this spring for their culminating 
Hillel Day School experience.” — 
Darin Katz, head of school, Hillel Day 
School 

“AISH is a vibrant 
organization whose 
programs reach 6,000 
unique participants. 
Still, since Oct. 7, we 
have been compelled 
to significantly up our 
game even more. 
“Our mission of 
connecting Jews to Judaism has 
become more urgent. People want 

to know, ‘Why do the Jewish people 
matter so much to the world? How 
can we tell our children the value of 
being Jewish when the world says we 
are not valuable?’ 
“We have tripled our programming 
and run constant Israel events 
and campaigns to address these 
questions. There has never been a 
better or prouder time to be Jewish. 
If we cannot communicate that to 
our communities and our children, 
and in our schools, we are failing at 
an incredible opportunity.” — Rabbi 
Simcha Tolwin, Director, AISH Detroit

“I don’t have much respect for 
Jews who hide in the corners, don’t 
speak up or believe that nothing we 
do can change anything. We must 

try. If we don’t try, then 
there is a 100% chance 
that nothing will change. 
But if we speak up, 
fight and educate, then 
there’s a chance that this 
hypocritical world will 
come to its senses. 
“Life after Oct. 7 showed me 
who the friends and supporters 
of the Jews are. I started donating 
more generously but was selective 
on where I gave my money. I have 
become more religious and began 
reciting more prayers, mostly for 
our soldiers and hostages. I do see 
miracles happen, and I continue to 
hope for even more miracles to come 
our way.” — Tamara Poberesky, West 
Bloomfield

continued on page 18

Darin Katz

Lindsay 
Pinchuk

Tamara 
Poberesky

Rabbi 
Simcha 
Tolwin

Rabbi 
Natalie 
Shribman

OCTOBER 3 • 2024 | 17

Rabbi Shalom 
Kantor took bags 
of supplies to Israel 
after Oct. 7 on a 
rabbis’ mission.

