62 | NOVEMBER 21 • 2024 
J
N

Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at thejewishnews.com

A Mensch of the Highest Order
T

his header was in the Dec. 27, 1996, JN: “Avoiding the Attention: 
Federation President Robert H. Naftaly doesn’t want the 
limelight. He just wants the work done.” 
The latter phrase, “He just wants the work done,” may encapsulate 
“Bob” Naftaly’s personal philosophy. Maybe he wanted to 
avoid the limelight, but he could not. 
I did not know Bob well, but did sit at his table for a 
lunch for the Jewish News Foundation some years ago. I 
say “his” table because, without any pretension on his part 
(“I’m Bob”), he was the natural leader. I really liked Bob 
and was honored to break bread with him.
Bob Naftaly and his contributions to the community 
are well-documented in the William Davidson Digital 
Archive of Jewish Detroit History. The tough part is writing about just 
a few of his accomplishments. A shorter column would be “What didn’t 
Bob do?”
For starters, Bob contributed to the local and national Jewish 
communities. He was president of the Jewish Federation of Detroit 
and sat or chaired numerous committees. He was also president of 
the Jewish Home for Aged (now Jewish Senior Life). A whiz with the 
numbers, nationally, Bob chaired or was treasurer of various audit or 
budgeting committees for the Anti-Defamation League and the Council of Jewish Federations. 
His membership on local civic boards is extensive. For example, he served on the boards of 
AAA of Michigan Detroit Metropolitan Wayne, United Way of Southeastern Michigan and 
Wayne State University. 
Along the way, Bob received the Federation’s highest honor, the Butzel Award, in 2002, and an 
honorary doctorate degree from Walsh College in 2014.
I found excellent articles about Bob in the JN. First, the earliest mention of Bob was in 
“Basketball Jumps Synagogue Attendance” (April 16, 1954). It featured a photo of Bob among seven basketball players, 
all cited as the young men who “directed their teams in the Inter-Congregational Basketball League.” Add sports hero 
to Bob’s list of accomplishments!
“Robert Nafatly Driven By Jewish Soul” appeared in the Oct. 15, 1993, JN. This is an early profile of Bob, published 
shortly after Michigan Gov. James Blanchard named Bob his state budget director. Add another achievement to Bob’s 
resume.
For a guy who didn’t like the limelight, Bob was in the national news when he was selected to chair the Voluntary 
Employee Benefit Association (VEBA). The VEBA was established and funded by the Big 3 American car companies 
in 2007 to administer and pay the health benefits of UAW retirees. GM and Chrysler went bankrupt in 2009. It was a 
big challenge. The well-being of 875,000 UAW retirees was at stake, and it had to all be solved by Jan. 1, 2010. 
Who could the car companies and UAW President Ron Gettelfinger trust to handle the VEBA? Both parties agreed: 
Bob Naftaly was the person for job (as recalled in a JN cover story on Sept. 30, 2021).
Perhaps I should also mention that Bob had a day job. He had a long career, including roles as CEO of Blue Care 
Network, CFO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and as an independent CPA. 
Bob Naftaly was a mensch of the highest order, who accomplished much in his life and, whether he liked it or not, 
was often in the “limelight.” 
Robert Naftaly passed away on Nov. 5, 2024, at the age of 86, survived by his beloved wife, Anita, and four children. 
He will be sorely missed. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN archives, available for free at thejewishnews.com.

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

A Mensch of the Highest Order

Along the way, Bob received the Federation’s highest honor, the Butzel Award, in 2002, and an 

Nominations for The Detroit Jewish News’ annual 36 under 36 are now open to recognize
doers, activists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, community organizers and other young
Jewish professionals reshaping and broadening Metro Detroit’s Jewish community.

Do you know someone making an impact in
the community for this special honor?

 36 UNDER 36

Nominations Now Open!

A special group of volunteer judges will be reviewing submissions and choosing the 36 winners. 
Honorees will receive a free subscription to the JN and be featured in a February 2024 issue.

GO ONLINE TO THEJEWISHNEWS.COM AND SUBMIT
YOUR NOMINATION BY DECEMBER 29, 2024

Do you know someone who
gives of themselves to the
community in robust — and
often thankless — ways?

Someone you admire
and aspire to be like?

Someone whose accomplishments
you want to celebrate?

18 | FEBRUARY 15 • 2024 

ABIGAIL 
EPSTEIN
Abigail Epstein, 
a native of West 
Bloomfield, 
takes pride in 
being a member of the 
Detroit Jewish community, 
finding a sense of fortune 
in the unique and vibrant 
community that has helped 
shape her identity today.
Her formative years were 
enriched by summers at 
Camp Tamarack, a mission 
to Israel and involvement in 
BBYO, laying the foundation 
for a lifelong connection to 
Judaism. This deep-rooted 
commitment is evident in 
her current roles, where she 
serves on NEXTGen Detroit’s 
General and Executive 
boards, as well as the Board 
of Trustees for Adat Shalom.
In her professional life, 
Abigail serves as a dedicated 
director of human resources, 
balancing her career with 
cherished moments spent 
with her two children, 
Penelope and Arthur, 
and her beloved husband, 
Jonathan. 
In 2023, she achieved 
one of her bucket list goals 
by becoming a published 
children’s book author. 
Her commitment extends 
beyond personal and 
professional realms; she is 
devoted to contributing to 
the community’s growth. 
Through her involvement, 
she strives to ensure the 
creation and sustenance of 
a vibrant Jewish Detroit for 
generations to come. The 
somewhat shy Abigail likes 
to knit and watch Pixar 
movies. She says she wants to 

be a Jewish bubbie when she 
grows up.

