DECEMBER 5 • 2024 | 9
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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