…The 2020 Census Is Here. Respond Now! FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO www.mivoicecounts.org thejewishnews.com $200 May 21-27, 2020 / 27 Iyar-4 Sivan 5780 See page 12 INSIDE Virtual Synagogues: 18 ADL Report: 20 Jewish Sports News: 28 The Ex-Nazi Next Door Detroiter Jeff Schoep ran America’ s largest neo-Nazi group for 25 years before leaving in 2019. How should Jews feel about his reformation? …
…Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Here for Michigan. Now more than ever. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we’re committed to caring for Michigan and everyone who calls it home. For our members, it’s a commitment to provide you with the ability to see a doctor from your home, and the option to speak to a nur...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 3 OUR JN MISSION: We aspire to communicate news and opinion that’ s trusted, valued, engaging and distinctive. We strive to reflect diverse community viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. As an independent, responsible, responsive community member, we actively engage with individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, and Jewish life, in Southeast ...…
…Hechtman II Apartments & Meer Apartments Fleischman Residence/ Blumberg Plaza and Brown Memory Care Pavilion Tracey Proghovnick 248-661-1836 TTY# 711 or tproghovnick@jslmi.org or visit jslmi.org People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome Eugene and Marcia Applebaum, Jewish Community Campus …
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 5 Views Jewfro Books of the People A fter decades of declining sales, as newspapers and printed documents lost out in the digital age, many man- ufacturers converted to making tissue products, like toilet paper and wipes. ” Reading that in the New York Times on my phone in an undisclosed location made me flush. With confusion. Another moment of disori- entation and disruption courtesy of an invisible contagion ...…
…6 | MAY 21 • 2020 I wrote this week’ s cover story, and it’ s a long one, so I won’ t take too much of your time here. But I do want to explain why we put a for- mer neo-Nazi on the cover of the Jewish News. I first heard of Jeff Schoep earlier this year, as he was begin- ning his anti-hate outreach. I was intrigued by his former prominence within the neo-Nazi movement and also by the fact that he lives in Detroit. The timing...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 7 CORRECTION The column “Pizza! Pizza!” (May 7, pg. 45) incorrectly stated that Ilitch Holdings Inc. CEO Chris Ilitch was a Detroit Jewish News Athlete of the Year as a high school hockey player. In fact, Ilitch, who is not Jewish, was selected as the Alvin Foon Humanitarian Award recipient at the 2019 Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame ceremony. Memories of Kaline I enjoyed Alan Muskovitz’ s column regarding Al Kalin...…
…To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.djnfoundation.org The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., #110, Southfield, MI 48034. 8 | MAY 21 • 2020 1942 - 2020...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 9 Jews in the D Keeping Seniors Connected JVS, Jewish Senior Life continue work with dementia patients over Zoom. P rior to the spread of COVID-19 and state- wide stay–at–home order, seniors with dementia in Metro Detroit received in-person services through a partnership between JVS Human Services and Jewish Senior Life. Those programs focused on interacting with others and making face-to-face connections: cruc...…
…10 | MAY 21 • 2020 The Ex-Nazi Next Door Detroiter Jeff Schoep ran America’ s largest neo-Nazi group for 25 years before leaving in 2019. How should Jews feel about his reformation? ANDREW LAPIN EDITOR Jeff Schoep, former commander of the National Socialist Movement, now says the hate group functioned like a “cult.” JEWISH NEWS …
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 11 I n summer 2019, Rick Eaton heard something shocking. One of the most prominent neo-Nazis in the U.S. was leaving the movement. As co-director of the digital terrorism project at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Los Angeles- based Jewish human rights organization which tracks hate group activity, Eaton interacts with his fair share of white supremacists. And he was very familiar with the National Socialist Movement (N...…
…12 | MAY 21 • 2020 continued from page 11 said Schoep’ s mother, an attorney, had once lost a judgeship appointment after links to her son were made public. Even this wasn’ t enough, at first, to dissuade her son from his cause. In 2007, Schoep moved from Minnesota to Detroit, taking the NSM headquarters with him and incorporating the group in the state of Michigan. Detroit’ s dramatic economic downturn, he reasoned, would make for fe...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 13 school, she said, one of her biggest mentors had been a Black dean; she even named her son after him. None of that stopped Dietz from joining the NSM. Thanks to Schoep’ s rebranding, she didn’ t know about its Nazi ties. She only knew it as a civil rights group for white people, and, she tells the JN, that was enough for her. She was initially motivated to join by her anger at the left for what she believed was...…
…14 | MAY 21 • 2020 continued from page 13 All three made their journeys at least in part aided by Orthodox Jews they had befriended while still in hate move- ments. Since other formers have found media attention and speaking engagements from their own high-profile exits, some observers have questioned whether Schoep’ s trans- formation is sincere. A recent New York Times article cast doubt on his journey, emphasizing the relative quickn...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 15 If you need help during this challenging time, please contact JFS at 248.592.2313 or resourcecenter@jfsdetroit.org. Elaine is a single mom of two girls who works as a pharmacy tech. When the COVID pandemic led to the schools closing and the stay-at-home order, she knew she would be unable to continue working. While she does receive unemployment, it’s not enough to cover her mortgage, monthly bills and her older d...…
…16 | MAY 21 • 2020 A licia Chandler and Lesley Miles met as teens at BBYO. Alicia went to North Farmington High School and Lesley went to Berkley. After graduation, they each went their separate ways. Little did they know back then how their paths would cross again 20 years down the road when they connected again on Facebook, shar- ing items about their busy lives. Alicia was married to Jeff Chandler and raising two children, 11-...…
…CLOCKWISE: Lawn signs celebrate the happy couple; Carol and Martin wave to their parade; the Lowenbergs’ 1960 wedding photo; one of the parade “floats.” MAY 21 • 2020 | 17 W ith smiles and waves, honking horns and shouts of “Mazel Tov,” dozens of family members and friends, congregants from Young Israel of Southfield and even total strangers helped Holocaust survivor Martin Lowenberg, 92, and his wife, Carol, 87, celebrate their 60t...…
…Jews in the D 18 | MAY 21 • 2020 W hile synagogues and temples are physically closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are reaching out to their members in new ways. Live-streamed Shabbat services, classes and minyanim are common, and some congregations are offering children’ s lullabies, a virtual women’ s retreat, cooking classes and Trivial Pursuit through Zoom or social media. Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park offers a s...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 19 household items as paper goods and cleaning supplies. That led the temple to contact several members whose businesses could provide these items, which they agreed to provide at cost. A letter was then sent to members offering these household necessities through curbside pickup at the temple. According to Mesa, each day they receive requests from a small number of people who then pick up the supplies. In a f...…
…20 | MAY 21 • 2020 Double the Hate? Michigan anti-Semitic incidents doubled in 2019, ADL audit says. MAYA GOLDMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jews in the D A nti-Semitic acts in Michigan dou- bled from 2018 to 2019, up to 42 incidents from 21 incidents two years ago, according to the Anti-Defamation League’ s 2019 audit. ADL Michigan Director Carolyn Normandin told the Jewish News that as far as she knows, this is the highest year on reco...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 21 C amp Walden in Cheboygan, Michigan, will delay its possible start date until at least mid-July, according to an email sent to camper parents May 14. The email, sent by Camp Walden owners Scott Ruthart and Liz Stevens, says even if the state of Michigan allows summer camps to run at some point this year, Camp Walden may still not open. It will depend on the conditions the state puts forth for opening camps. ...…
…22 | MAY 21 • 2020 Jews in the D Quarantine Matchmaker: Adat Shalom Alumni Reunite to Remember a Hebrew “Fiddler” W e came to be together after decades of separation: from the four corners of the United States, from Canada. We came all the way from Israel, despite the shelter-in-place orders. This was not for Holocaust survivors. This was a Zoom reunion of performers and crew gathering to recall our all- Hebrew production of F...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 23 Jews in the D Blue Mask Initiative University of Michigan students raise money for masks for front line workers. A group of University of Michigan students are raising money to provide KN95 masks to nurs- ing home staff and healthcare providers in Detroit through a project called the Blue Mask Initiative. Blue Mask Initiative, start- ed in early May by University of Michigan students Adhavan Arivalagan and A...…
…24 | MAY 21 • 2020 J oel Marwil, 73, of Farmington is the recipient of the 2019 B’ nai B’ rith International (BBI) President’ s Award for his efforts in distrib- uting the win- ning books from the Diverse Minds Writing Challenge to Detroit-area preschools and elementary schools. The organization has been champion- ing human rights since its inception in 1843. The national BBI Diverse Minds Writing Challenge com- petition asks h...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 25 The witnessing of an injustice in 1957 and the righting of a wrong in 1964 are moments in time that Joel says “stayed with me the rest of my life.” TEACHING LITERACY A 1965 graduate from Mumford High School, Joel went on to receive his teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University (1970) and a master’ s degree in reading from Oakland University (1978). He has spent the last 50 years teach- ing children and ...…
…26 | MAY 21 • 2020 LEFT: Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris (left) answers a question while broadcaster George Blaha and emcee Jeremy Schaap listen during the sports panel at last year’ s Hank Greenberg Memorial Golf and Tennis Invitational. CENTER: Evan Chudnow (left),Karen Gordon and Joe Bernstein from Temple Kol Ami/Congregation B’ nai Israel team up to retire baserunner Joey Lebovic from Adat Shalom Synagogue at third base during...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 27 g Adat Barry Brodsky’ s quest for a four-peat will have to wait a year. The Birmingham Marian High School girls soccer coach has guided his team to three straight Division 2 state champi- onships. The Mustangs’ hopes for a fourth consecutive state title were wiped out in March when the Michigan High School Athletic Association canceled spring sports because of the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pand...…
…B urt Hurshe ended his decades-long career as a high school sports official this spring. It wasn’ t the swan song he wanted. The cancellation of high school spring sports across the state because of the COVID-19 pan- demic meant Hurshe couldn’ t be an umpire at a few dozen base- ball and softball games. And he didn’ t get to be hon- ored for 50 years of officiating by the Michigan High School Athletic Association at an annual banque...…
…Circle of Mitzvah Fun Celebrating Lag b’ Omer outside, from inside. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER W ith the will of getting out and celebrating the holiday of Lag b’ Omer, local families found a way to enjoy a socially distanced, three-part obser- vance, highlighted by before, during and after participation. Days prior to the May 12 event, decorations, including window mark- ers, posters, balloons and streamers, were de...…
…30 | MAY 21 • 2020 Moments Caplan-Bernard T he parents of Stacie Caplan and Joshua Bernard are thrilled to announce that these new- lyweds were married at Knollwood Country Club last summer. The bride is the daughter of Belle Caplan and Jay Caplan of Toronto, Canada, and the granddaughter of the late Ben and the late Estelle Pollack, the late Pearl and the late Jlius Caplan. The groom is the son of Hadas and Dennis Bernard of Birm...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 31 Spirit torah portion T his week’ s portion is the first in the Book of Numbers, known also as Bamidbar/In the Wilderness. The English name is drawn from the census of the Israelites that takes place in the desert. . Why, at the beginning of a book chronicling the dramatic ups and downs of a peo- ple in formation, are we subjected to a tedious and technical census? Today, we are indeed in the wilderness: The ...…
…32 | MAY 21 • 2020 Arts&Life documentary ‘Viral’ Anti-Semitism Filmmaker Andrew Goldberg talks about his new documentary that premieres on PBS May 26. T he new documentary Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations examines four different iterations, or “mutations, ” of anti-Semitism across the globe today. Its director, Emmy- winning filmmaker Andrew Goldberg, trains his focus on the political far-right in the U.S., the far-left member...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 33 Hungarian campaign went up significantly. And the anti-Semitism in the Labour Party just got louder and louder and louder, and here in the United States we then had shootings. I felt like we were playing Whack-A-Mole because we couldn’ t keep up with the reports. And every time we would want to close off a section, something new would happen and we’ d find ourselves chasing a statistic or a quote. JN: You we...…
…34 | MAY 21 • 2020 Arts&Life celebrity jews THE STILLERS AND THE PULITZERS There have been a lot of tribute articles in the Jewish and general media about Jerry Stiller, who died last week, age 92. But I was most moved by a couple of sentences in Ben Stiller’ s announcement of his father’ s death. Ben wrote: “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years.” I was drawn back to the m...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 35 Community Spotlight Lawn Art A bout a month ago, Susie Fenster, a member of Temple Israel, began a lawn sign fundraiser to raise money for local food banks and bring art to the streets of her West Bloomfield neigh- borhood. Fenster, furloughed from her job as a social worker Tender Heart Therapeutic Arts and Crafts, pur- chased lawn signs from a company she orders through for her job. She went into her neighbo...…
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… MAY 21 • 2020 | 37 Soul of blessed memory FRANK PAUL BLASE, 89, of Lake Orion, died May 12, 2020. He is survived by his sons and daughter-in-law, Steven Blase of Israel, Sanford and Gretchen Blase of Woodhaven; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Ken Harrison of Lake Orion; grand- children, Bradley and Mandy Harrison, Brett and Katie Harrison, Andrea Blase, Grace Blase, Katie Blase, Rachel and Mike Crumm; great-grandchil- dren,...…
…38 | MAY 21 • 2020 Soul of blessed memory BERNICE ROSENBAUM HERTZ, 97, of St. Louis Park, Minn., formerly of Farmington Hills, died May 9, 2020. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in- law, Joanne and Michael Margolin, and Ellen Hertz and Randy Zats; son and daughter-in-law, Marshall and Denise Hertz; grand- children, Becky and Scott Ackerman, Lisa Margolin, Ben and Adri Margolin, Ben and Lauren Hertz, and Annie and Jas...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 39 ing wife of 60 years, Audrey; his loving children, Shari (Michael) Scher and Sam Hirschman. He will also be missed by his grandchil- dren, Matt and Josh Scher, and Merrick and Jasmine Hirschman; and many loving nieces and nephews. Dr, Hirschman was the beloved brother of the Late Louis (Claudia) Hirschman, and Charlotte and the late Harold Merritt. Contributions may be made to ALS Association, 3242 Parkside C...…
…40 | MAY 21 • 2020 Soul of blessed memory Myrna’ s enthusiasm for her adopted home city made her an ideal representative for Around Town Inc., a company working with the university and major corpo- rations to offer prospective recruits customized tours of the city. She was the perfect tour guide to extol the ben- efits of living in Ann Arbor because she knew so well the neighborhoods, schools and wealth of cultural and retail op...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 41 LYNN PORTNOY, 81, of Bloomfield Hills, died May 12, 2020. She was the owner of Lynn Portnoy Clothing at the Claymoor in Southfield. Ms. Portnoy was the devoted daughter of the late Morris and the late Betty Portnoy; the loving sister of the late David Gary Portnoy. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer’ s Association-Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph ...…
…Soul of blessed memory 42 | MAY 21 • 2020 continued from page 41 RUTH (WISPE) SHAFER, 94, of Commerce Township, died of natural causes on the morning of May 14, 2020. She was the beloved wife of David B. Shafer for nearly 75 years; dear mother of Hilary (Barry) Spolan and Bradley (Susan) Shafer; loving grandmother of Lindsay (Daniel) Pinchuk, Zachary Spolan, Andrea Shafer and David Shafer; proud “GG” of Jordyn and Lila Pinc...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 43 He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Nancy (Kurland) Simpson; sons, John, Chris and Matthew; seven grandchildren. Memorial contributions are suggested to humanitarian or legal causes of your choice. IRIS SMITH, 95, of Southfield, died April 1, 2020. She spent her life in the Detroit area. She loved her family and is survived by her children, Todd (and Roberta), Andrew (and Donna); grandchildren, Er...…
…44 | MAY 21 • 2020 Soul of blessed memory Politically active in the Democratic party of Michigan during the 1950s, Gene met her husband of 63 years at a political event in Detroit. She married Mitchell Tendler in 1955. Mitch passed away in December 2018. In 1970, Gene and Mitch decided they had shoveled enough snow and followed several relatives west from Michigan to San Diego. After retirement, they enjoyed extensive travel th...…
… MAY 21 • 2020 | 45 A second year in the restaurant business is considered to be the hardest for many new dining enterprises … Original impres- sions have a lot to do with it but, in the long run, what many may consider as flaws are mostly cor- rected. The lucky ones are those whose restaurant experiences would allow them to either correct negligible blemishes or none at all. Among them is the temporar- ily closed Empire Kitc...…
…46 | MAY 21 • 2020 Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org The Oldest Form of Hate L ast month, the JN launched “The Anti- Semitism Project,” a yearlong inquiry and analysis of one of the world’ s old- est prejudices. It is a social problem that has not been eradicated. At one time, there was hope that anti-Semitism would fade away. In 1884, the first ...…
… APRIL 9 • 2020 | 29 Dear valued reader, Let’s get right to it. During these very difficult times, why does the Jewish News matter more than ever? • It connects us when we feel separated and surrounded by chaos. With the Jewish News, we are not alone. We are all in this together as a community. • It is our trusted, distinctive news source. With fake news, conspiracy theories and half truths rampant, the Jewish News provides us wi...…
