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.