…JUNE 9 • 2022 | 51 to perform and audiences to experience a wide range of musical repertoire, ” said Maury Okun, festival president, pointing out that programming also introduces chamber styles to works by classical com- posers such as Schumann, Mozart and Beethoven. Okun, also president of Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings, represents one of four organizations sponsoring the annual non- sectarian festival. The others are Temple Beth El...…
…52 | JUNE 9 • 2022 A bout six months after its pre- miere, Shoah Ambassadors, the Holocaust documentary film directed and produced by Keith Famie, is still in the film festival circuit nationally and being shown to organi- zations and universities to widen the reach of the film. The film was nominated for four Michigan Emmys. Famie and his Visionalist Entertainment Productions crew are nominated for the documen- tary as a whole, its...…
…JUNE 9 • 2022 | 53 Shoah Ambassadors was featured in the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York. Featured Holocaust survivor Rene Lichtman, ambassador Hailey Callahan and Famie were in attendance. The film was honored with the award of Jury Special Mention. Famie enjoys the presenta- tions he’s able to do for univer- sity student bodies where he can engage in in-depth discus- sions afterward. Famie has connected with Hillel o...…
…54 | JUNE 9 • 2022 ARTS&LIFE ART “Embracing Our Differences SE Michigan” can be viewed at parks in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Art in the Park SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER T he beauty of nature serves as the setting for the beauty of artistic design during an exhibit with worldwide representation and a unifying theme — diversity, equity and inclusion. The exhibit, “Embracing Our Differences SE Michigan,” is spread across tw...…
…JUNE 9 • 2022 | 55 Details “Embracing Our Differences SE Michigan” will be on view at no cost through the end of September at four park areas — Gallup Park, 3323 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor; Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor; Riverside Park, 2 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; and Parkridge Community Center, 791 Harriet St., Ypsilanti. For information regarding indi- vidual and group visits, go to EODMichigan.org. To...…
…56 | JUNE 9 • 2022 ARTS&LIFE ART “On our opening weekend in May, a video was taken of the young artists reacting to seeing their enlarged picture and their names next to it. They were so excited. So were we.” Margolis was touched emotionally by a mom reacting to the image Sezer’s Diary from Turkey. It shows a boy in a wheelchair included in playing basketball. The associated slogan (“I am not defined by an inanimate object. Look a...…
…JUNE 9 • 2022 | 57 DINOS FICTIONAL AND NOT, ALBERT BROOKS DOCUMENTARY, THE MOST JEWISH WESTERNS The sixth Jurassic Park movie, Jurassic World Dominion, opens in the- aters on June 10. In this sequel, humans and dino- saurs now live near each other all over the world and the question is: Who will emerge as the “apex pred- ator?” The film was directed by Colin Trevorrow, 41. He also directed the last two Jurassic Park films. Both ...…
…58 | JUNE 9 • 2022 ‘MEAN GIRLS’ NOW-JUNE 19 At the Fisher Theatre. Tuesday-Saturday at 8 pm; Sunday evenings at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Hilarious hit musical for ages 10 and up. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing pre- pared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lion- ized frenemies led by the charmin...…
…JUNE 9 • 2022 | 59 Artists: Paul Watkins, Nicholas Phan, Peter Sparling. Event is free with admission to the museum. ICE CREAM SOCIAL 4-6 PM, JUNE 12 Join NEXTGen Detroit and JFamily for a fun fam- ily afternoon as we cool down with a summer snack at Franklin Community Association Park, 26495 Carol, Franklin. Get to know other local young Jewish families and enjoy music with Miss Elissa and some fun outdoor activities geared ...…
…60 | JUNE 9 • 2022 cogs-kegs, for $30. Cyclists who register the day-of will pay $35. All participants will receive a custom Cogs & Kegs water bottle. Non-riders can participate in the post-ride cel- ebration at 8 p.m. for $20. SUMMER SAFETY 11 AM-NOON, JUNE 14 Come join JFamily and friends at Royal Oak Chabad for a morning of summer safety fun. At Royal Oak Jewish Center Chabad, 514 E. 4th St., Royal Oak. Decorate a sun hat, ge...…
…the exchange community bulletin board | professional services For information regarding advertising please call 248-351-5116 Deadline for ad insertion is 10am on Friday prior to publication. Aaron Mendelson Heating and Cooling, LLC. 248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292 License # 7118488 Maintenance, Installation, Repair & Hot Water Heaters Ajmendelson1@gmail.com FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973 $65 SERVICE FEE 24/7 Emergency Service FREE E...…
…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY D r. Abner “ Ab” Ragins, 92, died May 29, 2022, peacefully with his children nearby. Ab was born in 1929 and often joked that he brought on the Great Depression. He lived a Jewish life growing up in Grand Rapids and excelled in academics and debate. He graduated from the University of Michigan and earned an MD at Wayne State Medical University. He went on to specialize in gastroenterology. Befor...…
…L ois Fishman, 87, of West Bloomfield, died surrounded by her loving family shortly after sunset on May 25, 2022. Lois was predeceased five months by her husband of 67 years, Nat Fishman. Growing up in Detroit, Lois took two buses to school at Central High School each morning. Her fam- ily was no stranger to long journeys: Her father, Harry Goldberg, immi- grated from East Europe to Galveston, Texas, before landing in Detro...…
…64 | JUNE 9 • 2022 continued from page 63 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY M iriam Brysk, 87, of Ann Arbor, drew her final breath on May 28, 2022. She joins her parents, Bronka and Heniek Mason, and her beloved family lost in the Holocaust. Miriam was born March 10, 1935, in Warsaw, Poland. Her childhood was one of war-time survival in the Lida Ghetto and with the Russian Partisans in the forests of Belarus. She and her family ...…
…JUNE 9 • 2022 | 65 continued on page 66 Mila Guillaume, Avrumi, Duvi and Chaim Schilo, Gabrielle, Jonathan and Benjamin Schilo. Mrs. Hildesheim was the beloved wife of Abraham “Henk” Hildesheim. Burial took place in Putte, the Netherlands, at the cemetery of the Frechie Foundation. Contributions may be made to the Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills or to a charity of one’s choice. GARY R. MILLER, 75, of Milford, d...…
…continued from page 65 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 66 | JUNE 9 • 2022 San Diego, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Sandy Miller; sister and brother-in-law, Margo and Larry Jacobson; grandchil- dren, Aviva Miller, Noah Miller, Shia Miller, Levi Miller. He was the treasured son of the late Florence and the late Mike Miller. Contributions may be made to Chabad of Farmington Hills, 32000 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hi...…
…continued on page 68 JUNE 9 • 2022 | 67 Rachel Strasberger; and the loving granddaughter of the late Shirley Strasberger, the late Morey Strasberger, and the late Edward and the late Vivian McGill. Interment was at B’nai Israel Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made to Temple Shir Shalom, 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, shirshalom. org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. LAWRENCE R. TRAGER, 90, of Farm...…
…continued from page 67 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 68 | JUNE 9 • 2022 Skippy Gittleman; the devot- ed son of the late Louis and the late Evelyn Woolman; the loving son-in-law of the late Hymie and the late Pearl Gittleman. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Michigan Parkinson Foundation, 30400 Telegraph Road, Suite 150, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, parkin- sonsmi.org; or to any Israeli charity...…
…A viva Sandler (neé Thatch) died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on June 1, 2022. Born during the Holocaust on March 4, 1942, to parents Benesch and Riva Tkatsch (later Thatch), Aviva spent the first two years of her life in a few cramped rooms in the Kovno Ghetto (Kaunas Lithuania) with seven addi- tional family members. When the SS would come to inspect, Riva and baby Aviva would hide in a hole dug in the dirt bene...…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org 70 | JUNE 9 • 2022 Remembering the Six-Day War F ifty-five years ago, there was only one big story in the JN: The Six- Day War. From June 5-10, 1967, Israel was once again engaged in a war for survival against a coalition of Arab nations. Egypt, Jordan and Syria were the main attacking forces. Israel had no choice bu...…
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…$200 Dec. 9-15, 2021 / 5-11 Tevet 5782 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT 100 Years 100 Years IN MOTOWN thejewishnews.com Downtown Synagogue celebrates centennial and plans to enhance its future. Page 10 …
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…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 3 PURELY COMMENTARY 4-9 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 10 100 Years in Motown Downtown Synagogue celebrates centennial and plans to enhance its future. 16 Response to Tragedy The Jewish community lifts up the Oxford community in prayer and support. 18 Dealing with Trauma Crisis expert shares guidance on how to help kids navigate the aftermath of the Oxford shooting. 20 The Jewish Bubbie D...…
…4 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 essay Argue, Don’t Fight T here’s an enormous difference between an argument and an attack. Calling someone a liar or a traitor is not an argument; it’s an attack. If you marshal facts and reason to make your case, that’s an argument. Have you noticed how so many arguments these days quickly unravel into nasty fights? OK, be honest: When you get an email, what kind of “information” gets your adrenaline pump...…
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…6 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 I am a member of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. As you may be aware, the Commission is responsible for draw- ing the U.S. Congressional, State House and State Senate maps for the State of Michigan. The Commission has proposed several maps for comment by the public, with the intention of adopt- ing one of each type of map at the end of December (Dec. 28-Dec. 30). The Commis...…
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…8 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 essay Peace, Innovation and the Synergy Between Them T wenty-five years ago, the Peres Center for Peace was established and since then it has complet- ed amazing work, which is unfortunately not known to the public. I would like to take this oppor- tunity to high- light the Center’s accomplish- ments, and to answer the questions of many of my friends in the field of peace activism as to why the Center do...…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 9 vation in science and technology could help subdue the underly- ing motivations for conflict itself. With approximately 60% of the Middle East’s population aged under 30, Peres believed that a vastly more innovative landscape in the region would ensure a prosperous future for all. If we can help our neighbors create an ecosystem of innova- tion similar to what we have in Israel, they will be less attracted by ...…
…V adim Avshulamov moved to Downtown Detroit after finishing grad school in 2012. One Friday night, “after a difficult day,” he happened upon the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue (IADS) on Griswold Street and walked in. Knowing not a soul, “I was asked to lead the Maariv service during Kabbalat Shabbat,” Avshulamov said. His immediate impression was that “IADS is a very inclusive community.” Avshalumov quickly plugged into synagogue lif...…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 11 TOP: A Simchat Torah celebration. BOTTOM LEFT: Children work at Eden Gardens. BOTTOM RIGHT: Members meet in fellowship and prayer. continued on page 12 People Of IADS Staff RABBI ARIANA SILVERMAN Spiritual Leader “When IADS launched a national search for a full- time rabbi in 2016, they ultimately chose the one who lives 2 miles away. I am so glad they did. I am committed to Detroit, committed to the values ...…
…continued on page 13 12 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 Fintex Men’s Clothing store. Board member Rick Agree said his parents, George and Shirley Agree, led the group that pur- chased the four-story building. Located at 1457 Griswold Street, between Clifford Street and Grand River, IADS is mem- orable for its brightly colored window squares. Walking distance from numerous Jewish-owned clothing shops and profes- sional offices, the Downtown Syn...…
…ABOVE: The flame-thrower menorah with all lights burning brightly. FACING PAGE: IADS when it was over Kosins Clothes on Griswold, before moving across the street continued from page 12 M etro Detroiters were invited recently to #EngageforEight with the Downtown Synagogue, “and be the miracle this Chanukah,” said Jaemi Loeb, co-chair with Carrie Reinis of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue 100 Years Committee. “On the third night...…
…14 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 JAEMI LOEB 100 Years Committee co-chair Joined 2018 “IADS is like my Jewish home. It’s a com- munity that is supportive, engaged, root- ed in tradition but working in the now, and always reaching for the stars.” JODEE FISHMAN RAINES Former Board President, 2016-2018 Joined 2013 “I have the deepest respect for the board and volunteers who continue to pour such passion and hard work into making the synagogue the h...…
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…OUR COMMUNITY O n Tuesday, Nov. 30, the unthinkable became reality as a disturbed teenaged boy opened fire at Oxford High School in Oakland County, killing four teenagers and wounding seven others, including one teacher. The 15-year-old suspect has been charged as an adult with terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm dur...…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 17 memory of those who died, in empathy with those who are suffering, in hopes of Hashem helping us create a better world.” Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills shared the following message on social media: “Our thoughts, prayers, comfort, love and strength go to our neighboring communi- ty. May the memories of those who perished be a blessing and may those who were injured have a speedy recovery and return t...…
…18 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 OUR COMMUNITY I n the wake of the Oxford High School shooting on Nov. 30 that left four stu- dents dead and seven others injured, the Oxford community and the surrounding Metro Detroit area are navigating the after- math. Students, parents and the general population alike are now dealing with the effects of trauma, an experience — like the Oxford High School shooting — that is deeply distressing or disturbing....…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 19 Partner with our scientists to solve humanity’s most difficult challenges. And if that isn’t reward enough, there are year-end tax benefits, too. Every day, hundreds of scientists at the Weizmann Institute in Israel pursue breakthroughs in cancer research, health & medicine, education, technology, the environment, and the world beyond our planet. A Charitable Gift Annuity gives you the opportunity not only to ...…
…20 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 OUR COMMUNITY O n the new NBC show Baking It, Detroit- born journalist and comedian Norma Zager is known as the “Jewish bubbie. ” The former Detroit Jewish News contributor will be one of four hosts judging the new baking series produced by Amy Poehler, which will stream on NBC’s streaming service Peacock beginning Dec. 2 and began airing on NBC Dec. 3. “I am Bubbie Norma, ” Zager, 74, of Beverly Hills, Ca...…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 21 A P P L Y T O D A Y F O R T H E ADL MICHIGAN GLASS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE L E A R N A B O U T : Fighting antisemitism Hate crime laws Extremism & hate groups Anti-bias education Civil rights history Advocacy Learn more & apply: michigan.adl.org/gli APPLICATIONS DUE DEC. 17 Questions? michigan@adl.org or 248.207.9099 If you know someone who could benefi t from a Mitzvah Subscription, please email subscripti...…
…22 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 OUR COMMUNITY L ooking east from Church Street north of 10 Mile Road, you can see a gleaming playground. Around the playground is a wide grass-covered field with curved paved walkways shaded by low trees. You could enjoy this bucolic scenery without sus- pecting that a major highway runs right beneath your feet. You are standing on an excep- tionally wide bridge, an over- pass of the I-696 freeway, but it ...…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 23 during the construction, antici- pated to last from 2024-2025. Monica Monsma, public involvement and hearings offi- cer of MDOT, opened the meet- ing by stressing that MDOT wishes to gather as much input as possible from the public in the process of designing the replacement bridge. Jeff Pitt, senior contracts engineer at MDOT and proj- ect manager, explained the constraints on designing the replacement bridge...…
…G rowing up, Alana Blumenstein didn’t understand why she and her younger brother, Jacob, were struggling in classes. Now 21, Blumenstein, who attends Oberlin College in Ohio, knows that they were navigating learn- ing disabilities without knowing for many years. “We didn’t understand what learning disabilities were, ” she recalls. “We had no idea. ” It wasn’t until high school that the Blumenstein siblings (which also include bro...…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 25 launched in October 2020 during the COVID-19 pan- demic, is a custom digital publication directly made by and for kids with learning dis- abilities. “ At that time, we were all home together, ” Blumenstein recalls. “We thought a maga- zine would be a great oppor- tunity to provide a [safe] space for kids and take our mission one step further. ” The free digital magazine features parent advice columns, spotlight...…
…OUR COMMUNITY 26 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 L aura Gottlieb spends her days combing through archives that contain decades of Metro Detroit Jewish history, much of it seldom told. Yet the 28-year-old director of cultural resources at Temple Beth El, who oversees the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives and the Prentis Memorial Library, wants to change that by bringing those stories to the public. Through Out of the Box, a program launched by Te...…
…DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 27 by finding a document or a picture hidden in the archives, then adds context around its history by bringing in things like newspaper articles or other items. “I take people on this journey with me and through the discovery of more information,” she says. In Temple Beth El’s archives, Gottlieb says there is no shortage of interesting stories. With about 1,500 linear feet of archival material housed in hund...…
…28 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 NATIONAL I t took more than four years, but nine individuals who were injured and traumatized by white supremacists have now achieved a measure of justice. More than four years ago, hun- dreds of white nationalists from a dozen “alt-right” white suprema- cist organizations joined together in Charlottesville, Virginia, to march with tiki-torches and flags, shouting antisemitic and racist slogans. They oppos...…
