…$200 June 15-21, 2023 / 26 Sivan – 2 Tammuz 5783 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com New Community Mikvah Center Bais Chabad Torah Center invites Detroit’s Jewish community to the grand opening of the Mallor Walder Mikvah Center. See page 14 …
…10 | JUNE 15 • 2023 PURELY COMMENTARY T he CUNY School of Law’s commencement speaker Fatima Mohammed could be a contestant in a sordid game of how many antisemitic slurs can be packed into one speech. In her May 12 address, Mohammed compared Jews to Nazis and called for the mass slaughter of Jews via the destruction of Israel. Both are explicit violations of the widely adopted IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. Thes...…
…Presenting Sponsor Penny and Harold Blumenstein Maestro Sponsor Barbara and Michael Kratchman Virtuoso Sponsor Bluma Schechter Conductor Sponsor Nancy and James Grosfeld Artist Sponsors Judy and Jeff Aisen | Faye and Paul Blatt Edward I. Fleischman Foundation | Doreen Hermelin Katie and Evan Leibhan | Eunice Ring | Andi and Larry Wolfe Thank you, Premier Event sponsors! FRAMEOFMIND BENEFIT AND ARTS SHOWCASE Learn more about supporting...…
…12 | JUNE 15 • 2023 PURELY COMMENTARY Student’s Corner My Judaism E ver since I was old enough to comprehend religion, ethnicity and identity, I embraced my connection to Judaism and feminism. It was not until I began high school that I started to see the intersection between these parts of my iden- tity. Experiencing something that helped me to understand the many facets of Judaism and the complex histo- ry of feminism in Am...…
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…OUR COMMUNITY 14 | JUNE 15 • 2023 ON THE COVER …
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 15 T he Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield is inviting the wider Detroit Jewish community to the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Mallor Walder Mikvah Center on Sunday, June 18. The center is comprised of three mik- vahs — the Saul Saulson Men’s Mikvah, the Zekelman Family Keilim (vessels) Mikvah and, what Rabbi Shneur Silberberg, co-rabbi of the Chabad shul, affectionately calls the “crown ...…
…OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 15 16 | JUNE 15 • 2023 ON THE COVER he wondered how to mark this mile- stone birthday. “I thought, ‘What would the Rebbe want me to do?’” Rabbi Silberberg said. “The Rebbe had described the women’s mikvah as the bedrock foun- dation of every Jewish home, and I concluded that he would want me to make a beautiful mikvah for our community that has more than qua- drupled in size.” NEW MEETS OLD DESIGN...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 17 17 | JUNE 15 • 2023 COURTESY OF BAIS CHABAD The Zekelman Family Keilim (vessel) Mikvah where new dishes and kitchenware are immersed before usage. …
…continued from page 16 said of his bar mitzvah. Now, decades later, he was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps, with his right-hand man Zev Goldner, the Silberbergs, Bais Chabad Administrator Rabbi Avraham Wineberg and the team of mashgichim (religious supervisors), professionals and community members who lent their time, expertise and opinions so that this mikvah would be extra special. ...…
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…20 | JUNE 15 • 2023 continued from page 18 ON THE COVER OUR COMMUNITY vah and keilim mikvah are not actually functioning yet. “The next decent rainstorm should be enough to put us into business!” said Rabbi Shneur. “Operating our mikvah will require all hands on deck … Spearheaded by Laya Kleinman and Elisheva Shomer, oper- ational plans are already in place.” Zeesy, in particular, is excited to be an ambassador for this mitzvah...…
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…OUR COMMUNITY I t was a whirlwind 48 hours when professionals from our local Jewish service agencies touched down in Baltimore on a trip dubbed the “Executive Expedition.” The goal of the trip was for agency pro- fessionals to visit a city that offered different program- ming to their Jewish commu- nity. Baltimore was chosen because it is a similar in size to Metro Detroit with unique offerings the professionals were eager to learn ...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 23 ON THE GROUND IN BALTIMORE Trip participants included Perry Ohren of Jewish Family Service, Paul Blatt of Gesher Human Services, Shaindle Braunstein of JARC, Bassie Shemtov of Friendship Circle, Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of the Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network; Nancy Heinrich of Jewish Senior Life, Daniella Mechnikov of Yad Ezra and Tzadok Eliyahu of Detroit Chesed. Brian Rothenberg, CEO Steven Ingber and Schnaa...…
…OUR COMMUNITY A fter 58 years at the Ira Kaufman Chapel, David Techner, 71, has decided it’s time for a change. “It’s time. I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s time for a change for the chap- el and for me,” he explains. Techner will now be Ira Kaufman’s Funeral Director Emeritus, continuing to work onsite and at some funerals but not personally handling all the chapel’s 24/7 opera- tions and funeral arrange- ments. Co-owner J...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 25 who live out of town and hope to visit them more often. David Techner has been very active in the Jewish community and is especially proud of being a founder of Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, which helps patients and families with chronic illnesses and end-of- life support. He initiated a project with the Wayne County medical examiner, along with other local funeral directors and cemeteries, to help wit...…
…OUR COMMUNITY A longtime Top-40, rock ’n’ roll DJ, my dad once single-handedly halt- ed an unruly crowd at a Beatles concert, warning that the show would not go on if they if they couldn’t control the uproar. On the flip side, he was a member of Detroit’s Orthodox Jewish community. His radio station contracts specified that he did not work on Shabbat. He also recited morning prayers in a private cor- ner of the studio during newsb...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 27 Arriving at school that day to classmates asking about my gift was the first realization that people beyond my family and close friends knew of my father. HIS GROWING UP YEARS My dad grew up in the small, largely non-Jewish town of Kittanning, Penn., contracting polio in a neighborhood swim- ming pool when he was 8. He recalled overhearing his dad say he would never walk again. Optimistic and determined, he say...…
…OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 27 28 | JUNE 15 • 2023 never embarrassed, never making excuses. If he limped, he limped. If couldn’t run the bases, he stood still and played catch with us. When his legs wouldn’t allow him to carry us as kids, he made games out of lifting us over his head with his astonishingly strong arms. He did everything in his power to use the strength he had but was accepting of whatever help it took for ...…
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…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-12 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 14 New Community Mikvah Center Bais Chabad Torah Center invites the community to the grand opening. 22 The Executive Expedition Detroit Jewish agency professionals visit Baltimore. 24 Ira Kaufman Chapel Plans Leadership Transition David Techner shifts to emeritus status at Ira Kaufman Chapel. 26 My Dad Was...…
…OUR COMMUNITY O n May 21, com- munity members gathered to celebrate the dedication of the Chabad Jewish Center of Troy’s new Torah scroll. The celebration began with a ceremony at Riverside Park in Auburn Hills where community member Joy Silverstein, who gave the lead gift to sponsor the Torah, spoke to the crowd. Silverstein said how special it is that she’s able to have such an impact and to pass the spark of the torch of Ju...…
…Legal Guide JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT SPECIAL SECTION …
…32 | JUNE 15 • 2023 These LEADING LAWYERS have been recommended by their peers to be among the TOP LAWYERS in Michigan TOP LAWYERS DETROIT METRO AREA BASED UPON A SURVEY OF THEIR PEERS Jesse M. Reiter ABC Law Centers (Reiter & Walsh PC) Bloomfield Hills 248.593.5100 Personal Injury: Professional Malpractice Jennifer M. Grieco Altior Law PC Birmingham 248.372.9884 Commercial Litigation; Insurance Coverage: Consumer Insureds; Prof’l M...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 33 Michael B. Stewart Fishman Stewart PLLC Troy 248.594.0633 Copyright/Trademark; Intellectual Property; Patent Ann Marie Uetz Foley & Lardner LLP Detroit 313.234.7114 Bankruptcy/Workout: Commercial; Commercial Litigation; Creditor Rights/Commercial Collect Matthew A. Fraiberg Fraiberg & Pernie PLLC Birmingham 248.837.2399 Criminal Defense: DUI; Criminal Defense: Felonies/Misdemeanors David A. Franklin Franklin L...…
…34 | JUNE 15 • 2023 Michael V. Kell Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC Royal Oak 248.723.0480 Commercial Litigation; ADR: Commercial Litigation; Products Liability Defense Rodger A. Kershner Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC Royal Oak 248.723.0421 Energy; Mergers/Acquisitions; Public Utilities Bradley J. Knickerbocker Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC Royal Oak 248.723.0427 Commercial Litigation; Real Estate: Commercial; RE: Finance; Securit...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 35 A lawyer CANNOT buy the distinction of Leading Lawyer. The distinction was earned by being among those lawyers most often recommended by their peers. For a full description of our research process, a complete list of all Leading Lawyers, and to view profiles of the lawyers listed on this page, go to www.LeadingLawyers.com A Division of Law Bulletin Media—est. 1854 Irika N. Mellin Mellin Robinson PC Troy 248.614.9...…
…36 | JUNE 15 • 2023 continued on page 38 J ewish Family Service’s Legal Referral Service, (LRS) now in its 15th year of operation, continues to steadily and quietly provide top-notch pro bono attorneys and make a profound impact on the lives of many people in need. Since its inception, the program has amassed an army of all- volunteer attorneys who have assisted more than 2,000 clients and provided over $10 million of p...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 37 Protect yourself, your children, and your financial future. ANNETTE BENSON LAW 30800 Telegraph Rd. • Suite 2720 • Bingham Farms, MI 48025 AnnetteBensonLaw.com | 248.646.2600 DIVORCE | CUSTODY | POST JUDGMENT MODIFICATION AND ENFORCEMENT As the daughter of Jewish immigrants, I learned the importance of perseverance, self- advocacy, and integrity. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a lawyer — the strong voi...…
…38 | JUNE 15 • 2023 abuse. Lakeshore assists JFS clients by cutting red tape and shortening wait times, as well as providing JFS social workers with training in eviction prevention, family law and housing benefits. HAVEN staff trains JFS staff on domestic abuse assess- ments and often accompany JFS clients to court in situa- tions where a client’s abuser is due to be in court with the client. But aside from the local accolades an...…
…40900 Woodward Ave. #111 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 248-594-2600 • schefmanlaw.com The Face of Personal Injury Law & Insurance Recovery Over 40 years of successfully representing injured clients and medical providers throughout Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Traumatic Brain Injuries • No-Fault Insurance Claims • Medical Malpractice • Medicare Eligible Claims We’ll tell YOUR story — a...…
…4 | JUNE 15 • 2023 essay On Strengthening Israel-Diaspora Relations T he Jewish people are not a monolithic group, contrary to popular belief and perception. We are certainly not “all the same.” A multitude of backgrounds, traditions and upbringings over the past 5,000 years has created numerous groupings and unique individual stories. Yet all Jews, especially those in the diaspora, must deal with the question of how to re...…
…Legal Guide JBAM Awards PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMIE FELDMAN 40 | JUNE 15 • 2023 Several JBAM board members and officers including Michael Feldman, Frank Mamat, Past President Ellie Mosko, Joseph Phillips, Executive Vice President Jordan Zuppke, Vice President of Finance Andrew Cohen, President Nargiz Nesimova and Vice President of Communication David Sachs. T wo judges were honored by the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan (JBAM) on May 22...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 41 Judge Marla Parker accepts the Avern Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award from her longtime friend Judge Michelle Friedman Appel. Judge Appel noted that as teens, she was the president of her BBG group while Marla was the president of the entire Michigan B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. “ANYONE WHO HAS EVER INTERACTED WITH MARLA HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNI- TY TO EXPERIENCE THE INFINITE NATURE OF HER KINDNESS, JOY, COMPASSION AN...…
…continued from page 41 42 | JUNE 15 • 2023 Legal Guide “JAMIE LOVED HIS JOB, NOT FOR THE PERKS AND PRESTIGE, BUT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE HIM … ALWAYS SEEKING TO INSTRUCT, TO GUIDE, TO HEAL. I HAVE NEVER MET AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SERVED IN A JUDICIAL CAPACITY WHO POSSESSED THE LEVEL OF HUMILITY OF JAMIE WITTENBERG.” Past JBAM President Ellie Mosko receives the Volunteer of the Year Award from...…
…Serling & Abramson, P.C. Attorneys at Law | Asbestos Specialists 2 8 0 N . O L D W O O D W A R D , S U I T E 4 0 6 • B I R M I N G H A M , M I 4 8 0 0 9 | 2 4 8 - 6 4 7- 6 9 6 6 www.serlinglawpc.com In 1975 Michael Serling founded the firm currently known as Serling & Abramson, P.C. Michael pioneered asbestos litigation in Michigan by filing the first mesothelioma case in our state. Over the past five decades the firm has developed ...…
…44 | JUNE 15 • 2023 ABRAHAMS LAW 31550 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (248) 538-2900 www.abrahamslaw.com jda@abrahamslaw.com Jonathan Abrahams, founder of Abrahams Law, is a lifelong Detroit guy with a passion for helping others. For over 30 years he has been a part of countless auto accident injury cases, fighting for his clients to get all the assistance and benefits they are entitled to ...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 45 LEVY & ASSOCIATES 28400 Southfield Road Lathrup Village, MI 48076 (313) 447-1704 www.levytaxhelp.com Levy & Associates is a full- service tax resolution, audit defense and accounting services firm. Our team has decades of experience and includes CPAs, accountants, attorneys, enrolled agents and former IRS revenue officers. Emphasizing the importance of customer service, Levy & Associates is committe...…
…46 | JUNE 15 • 2023 TAFT 27777 Franklin Road, Suite 2500 Southfield, MI 48034 (248) 351-3000 or (248) 351-3082 www.taftlaw.com Taft is a modern, progressive firm which is the trusted advisor to many successful clients and an employer of choice in each of our major markets. Our attorneys listen and understand that innovative, value-creating solutions help our clients reach their goals. Our collaborative approach, advanced technolo...…
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…52 | JUNE 15 • 2023 faces&places The Zekelman Holocaust Center, in partnership with the Detroit Jewish News Foundation, welcomed members of the 2023 cohort of the JN’s 36 under 36 to a reception on May 4. Attendees were greeted by DJN Foundation Executive Director Marni Raitt and Gabriella Burman, director of marketing and communication at the Center. Everyone then enjoyed nosh and wine with members of the DJN Foundation ...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 53 If you did not know the date and just happened to find yourself at Shaarey Zedek on the night of the “Send a Kid to Tamarack” event, you might think you arrived in time for a High Holiday service. The shul was filled to the max with generations of Tamarack Camps enthusiasts. The annual cam- paign raises funds to subsidize the cost of camp and make camp accessible for everyone who wants to come to the “Best Pla...…
…NEXT DOR T he Zekelman Holocaust Center manager of adult education Katie Chaka Parks, 33, believes people from all walks of life, regardless of age, background or religion, should learn the history of the Holocaust and how it continues to impact today’s world. “It’s extremely important for communities to have allies,” she says, “and it’s so important for people who are not Jewish to also take on the history of the Holocaust to m...…
