DECEMBER 5 • 2024 | 9
J
N

ken — it was lived. Attendees from all walks of life, 
from elected officials and business leaders to devoted 
parents and alumni, filled the room with an energy 
that transcended division.
With an illustrious lineup of speakers, including 
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Senators 
Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, Detroit Mayor 
Mike Duggan, and former U.K. Prime Minister Boris 
Johnson, the evening was a testament to the power of 
unity amidst challenging times.
These prominent speakers shared the stage with an 
esteemed dais of political, business and religious lead-
ers from across the nation. Among them were U.S. 
representatives, state, county and city leaders, CEOs 
and spiritual leaders such as Eric Fingerhut, CEO 
of the Jewish Federations of North America, and 
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit 
Chapter of the NAACP
. This extraordinary assembly 
reflected the evening’s theme of unity, as diverse voic-
es came together to celebrate education, inclusion, 
and the shared values that strengthen communities.
Gov. Whitmer’s words grounded the room for the 
evening’s purpose. “In dark times, we have a duty to 
see the light in one another,
” she began. “
And that’s 
why I’m especially proud to see so many different 
Michigan communities represented in this room. 
That’s what living your values looks like.
”
Whitmer’s remarks reflected what was visible to 
all that night: the Yeshiva is more than a school — it 

is a pillar of unity. From 
preschoolers learning col-
ors, shapes and letters, to the 
Grosfeld Center for Special 
Education, where over 420 chil-
dren of varying abilities find belong-
ing and growth, the Yeshiva exemplifies 
what is possible when a community dares to dream 
for every child.

OUTSTANDING LEADERS
Honoree Matt Lester represented that vision. His 
commitment to education and philanthropy reflect-
ed the audience’s shared commitment to the future, 
and to the education of generations to come. Lester 
spoke of his deep and enduring relationship with the 
Yeshiva, built through years of study at the Yeshiva’s 
Partners in Torah program, and his faith in the 
Almighty.
“It is my wife and I who wish to bestow thanks on 
this remarkable and holy institution,
” Lester said. 
As he accepted the Outstanding Leadership Award, 
Lester spoke of the hope that fills the Yeshiva’s halls 
and his confidence in the bright future of its students.
Event Chairs Jerry Norcia, CEO of DTE Energy, 
and Huntington Bank CEO Steve Steinour under-
scored the importance of corporate and community 
partnerships in supporting our future generations. 
The evening also recognized the transformative 

impact of key benefactors 
Norman Pappas, this year’s 
Guardian Award recipient; Jim 
and Nancy Grosfeld, whose name-
sake Nancy Grosfeld Campus and 
the James Grosfeld Center for Special 
Education support inclusive learning for 
hundreds of students; and Mickey Shapiro, whose 
unwavering support is evident at the Mickey Shapiro 
Educational Complex. The Yeshiva exemplifies what 
is possible when a community dares to dream for 
every child. 

STANDING AGAINST HATE
Mayor Duggan emphasized the importance of com-
bating antisemitism and fostering education. “This 
evening’s dinner is evidence of the power of unity 
where everyone in this diverse and amazing crowd 
has come together to form bonds of friendship and 
of support for each other,
” he said, “against any acts 
of intolerance or hate, all for the future of our young 
people, and for the strength and security of our state 
and our country.
”
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the eve-
ning’s guest speaker, highlighted the global impor-
tance of standing against hate and nurturing under-
standing through education. “In standing up for 
the Jewish people and for Israel, we are standing up 
against an ancient evil, and for democracy and free-

“IN DARK TIMES, WE HAVE A DUTY 
TO SEE THE LIGHT IN ONE ANOTHER,”

— MICHIGAN GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 
remarks reflected what was 
visible to all that night: The 
Yeshiva is more than a school 
— it is a pillar of unity.

ROBERT BRUCE PHOTOGRAPHY

ANDREW POTTER

continued on page 10

