…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 39 quick hits BY STEVE STEIN The roster is set. Twenty-three teen ath- letes will represent Detroit at the revived JCC Maccabi Games this summer in San Diego. The Maccabi Games were canceled in 2020 and 2021 by the JCC Association of North America because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Not bad. Our allotment was 40 athletes, so we got more than 50% of that,” said Karen Gordon, Detroit’s delegation head, about the ...…
…up “probably because I was get- ting used to bowling a lot. “I actually liked bowling the individual and team rounds in the same day. It was fun, and we didn’t have to drive to Tecumseh twice (Tecumseh is about a 75-minute trek from Frankel).” Gordon finished 36th among 80 bowlers in the individual regional competition with 866 for six games. The 173 he rolled in his last game was his highest score of the six. The top 10 individual ...…
…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 41 Gotlib 100th S amuel “Sam” Gotlib D.D.S., was born Feb. 18, 1922, in Toronto, Canada. He lived in Flint for 70 years and in Florida for 30 years. He was married to Muriel (Effman) Gotlib, who died three years ago after 72 years of marriage. His chil- dren are Michael and Sylvia Gotlib of Arizona, Deborah and Jules Marks of Illinois, and Daniel and Joanne Gotlib of Southfield. He has numerous grandchildren and...…
…42 | MARCH 17 • 2022 MAZEL TOV! HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18 each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs or for special birthdays starting at the 90th. For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello at smanello@thejewishnews.com or (248) ...…
…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 43 SPIRIT It Is All Relative W hat do Brian Doyle-Murray, Frank Stallone and Joey Travolta have in common? You’re correct if you answered that they are talented show busi- ness personalities who have a more famous brother. Then there’s Tommie Aaron. He was a quite decent major league baseball player in the 1960s and early 1970s. Though Tommie Aaron didn’t merit induction into the Hall of Fame, his achiev...…
…T he institution of the haftarah — reading a passage from the prophetic literature alongside the Torah portion — is an ancient one, dating back at least 2,000 years. Scholars are not sure when, where and why it was instituted. Some say that it began when Antiochus IV’s attempt to eliminate Jewish practice in the second century BCE sparked the revolt we celebrate on Chanukah. At that time, so the tradition goes, public reading fro...…
…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 45 dispossessed wanderers home. When you see a person naked, clothe them: do not avert your eyes from your own flesh. (Is. 58:5-7) The message is unmistakable. The commands between us and God and those between us and our fellows are inseparable. Fasting is of no use if at the same time you do not act justly and compassionately to your fellow human beings. You cannot expect God to love you if you do not act lovingly...…
…Synagogue Directory CONSERVATIVE Adat Shalom Synagogue Farmington Hills (248) 851-5100 adatshalom.org Ahavas Israel Grand Rapids (616) 949-2840 ahavasisraelgr.org Congregation Beth Ahm West Bloomfield (248) 851-6880 cbahm.org Congregation Beth Israel Flint (810) 732-6310 cbiflint.org Congregation Beth Shalom Oak Park (248) 547-7970 congbethshalom.org Beth Tephilath Moses Mt. Clemens (586) 996-3138 bethtephilathmoses.com...…
…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 47 Shomer Israel Oak Park (248) 542-4014 godaven.com Shomrey Emunah Southfield (248) 559-1533 congregation-shomrey- emunah-105705.square.site The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.net Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org Young Israel of Southfield (248) 358-0154 yisouthfield.org RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Kehillat Israel L...…
…T he era of 1930s Detroit was a peri- od of extreme upheaval. The Great Depression, the worst economic disaster in American history, reigned for the entire decade. Heavily dependent upon automobile manufacturing, Detroit felt the ravages of the Depression more deeply than any other major city. Severe economic distress, however, was just one of many serious issues facing Detroiters: there were also dangerous threats from crime and...…
…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 49 doesn’t have a job and he is dis- gruntled, mad at the world. He also sees himself as a victim of a changing society that includes African Americans, Catholics, Jews and communists, along with a grudge against a wide range of recent immigrants. Grissom is a perfect recruit for the notorious KKK-like orga- nization in Detroit: the Black Legion. For the decade or so that the Black Legion existed, it had members i...…
…E xperiences gained during 20 trips to India and more times to Israel, joined with research gleaned from dozens of texts, enter into the pages of Susan Adelman’s third book, From Jerusalem to Delhi, through Persia (Gorgias Press), published this March. Adelman, a Southfield resident active with Adat Shalom Synagogue, is scheduling pre- sentations to intro- duce her book-ex- pressed impressions exploring interreligious connectio...…
…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 51 “This new book really is, in many ways, a meditation on the experiences I’ve had through many years of traveling back and forth to India and back and forth to Israel, ” said the author, whose husband twice yearly teaches aspects of patent law in Israel. “It also draws on the first two books because I learned a great deal about India in the course of all that time. ” The time frame covered in the book dates ba...…
…52 | MARCH 17 • 2022 SCHUMER’S NEW SERIES, WEWORK FIASCO, NEW SIT-COM Life & Beth is a limited series that will begin streaming on Hulu March 18. All 10 episodes will be released then. This comedy/drama stars Amy Schumer, 40, as Beth. Schumer also wrote and directed the series. The advance publicity doesn’t reveal that much. Here’s the gist of what it says. Beth is seemingly doing fine. She makes a good living as a wine dis...…
…See Our Improved Features to Help Manage Your Account! • Online Account Access for Immediate Updates • Submit Address Changes, Starts and Stops • Easy Renewal Payments • Manage Gift Subscriptions • More ways to get in touch Email Us: subscriptions@thejewishnews.com Reach Out Through Our Website: https://thejewishnews.com/contact/ Or Call 248.234.9057 Subscribe Today! $200 Feb. 11-17, 2021 / 29 Shevat-5 Adar 5781 JEWISH NEW...…
…54 | MARCH 17 • 2022 BENEFIT CONCERT 7:30-10:30 PM, MARCH 17 Jewish Ferndale, 1725 Pinecrest Drive in Ferndale, will stage a benefit concert for Ukrainian refugees. Ethan Davidson will head- line local musicians playing various genres of music. Cost for admission is a donation to Ukrainian refu- gees at jewishferndale.com. A ’60S PURIM 5 PM, MARCH 17 At the Windsor Jewish Community Centre. Cost: $25 per adult; $18 kids 12 and olde...…
…MARCH 17 • 2022 | 55 personal moments. To reg- ister and receive a Zoom link, contact Jodi Gross, jgross@adatshalom.org or 248-851-5100. EVENING OF COMEDY 8 PM, MARCH 21 At The Ark in Ann Arbor: Suzanne Westenhoefer. Tickets: $25. After 25 years of groundbreaking, stereotype-shattering and brutally honest comedy, she’s not about to start pulling punches now. Enjoy a wild night of comedy. Info: theark.org. FRANKEL CENTER EVENT 4...…
…56 | MARCH 17 • 2022 the exchange community bulletin board | professional services For information regarding advertising please call 248-351-5116 or 248-234-9057 or email salessupport@thejewishnews.com Deadline for ad insertion is 9 a.m. on Friday prior to publication. FREE ESTIMATES • LICENSED & INSURED HANDYMAN SERVICE • Carpentry • Plumbing • Electrical REMODELING • Kitchen • Bath • Basement A&E ConstruCtion 248-425-9565 Ser...…
…CHARLES BENDER, 92, of Commerce Township, died Feb. 24, 2022. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon Bender; sons and daugh- ters-in-law, Bruce and Betsy Bender, Larry and Renee Bender, Jonathan Ocker; daughter, Stefanie Ocker; sister-in-law, Sandy Alfred; daughter-in-law, Kathy Bender-Slagen; brother, Marty Edelman; grand- children, Joshua, Melanie (Nick), Michael, Emily and Corey, Lindsey, Ben and Andrew; great-grandchil-...…
…continued from page 57 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 58 | MARCH 17 • 2022 Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to the Peritoneal Mesothelioma Research Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. BARBARA DANN BERRY, 95, Bloomfield Hills, died March 5, 2022. While her family was the center of her life, Barbara was also an active and devoted member of several Jewish organiza- tions,...…
…continued on page 60 MARCH 17 • 2022 | 59 by his wife, Judy; daughter, Emily; many stepchildren and grandchildren; sister, Carol Irving (Kasmer); many nieces and nephews in Montana and Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor Selik and Alex Kasmer; and his brother, Bob (Robert) Kasmer. Per his wishes, there will be no funeral services. JANET ROSENBERG LEINWAND, 85, of West Bloomfield, formerly of Tarrytown, ...…
…60 | MARCH 17 • 2022 continued from page 59 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY Interment was held at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. JERRY ZABEL, a resident of West Bloomfield, died on March 9, 2022, at the age of 77. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Rochelle Zabel; daugh- ters and son-in-law, Marla (Jason) Golnick a...…
…Persons name from pay equity to sexual harassMo- luptas imincieni utecte cullatem volor minusapis et earum eniminvel earum et et que modit reictium earum ratque vollorunt labo. Ut repello ratur, optat. Obissitiorum natioreius nosanih illatet uritis etur? Luptius nonsequi des maio Et debis eium excerum laut vent as et laut dit porestrum, et plaborporunt as eatquae- pelit pro bearum, a volorpos estias dolupie ndenduciatem consequ is...…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org Ukraine and JN — A Long History H istory does not repeat itself, but at times, it sure does rhyme, ” says Mark Twain. In this respect, I’ve been thinking about Ukraine. The nation is a dominate topic in American and Jewish media. Ukrainians — Jewish and non-Jew- ish — are suffering as the Russian army wages an unprovo...…
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…$200 Feb. 17-23, 2022 / 16-22 Adar 1 5782 200 Feb. 17-23, 2022 / 16-22 Adar 1 5782 JEWISH NEWS JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com of the Bench A Titan The life and legacy of Judge Avern Cohn, 1924-2022. See page 12 …
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…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-11 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 12 A Titan of the Bench The life and legacy of Judge Avern Cohn, 1924-2022. 18 Spreading Warmth Renee Kaplan began work in August on blankets for shelter animals. 20 Lawmakers Convene Hearing on Protecting Houses of Worship Texas Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker testifies on need for security grants. 21 ‘Comedy for Peace’ Federati...…
…4 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 I n the throes of a new year, it is tempting to think about all the ways we will become “new. ” To start a new hobby or a new workout regimen; become a new person with a new start. What if this year we just set out to be better? To double down on the things we are already great at; to invest more deeply into the things we know we love. To square up to what we considered our best, look it in the eye an...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 5 INTEREST-FREE LOANS FOR MICHIGAN JEWISH RESIDENTS APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 1 TO MAY 15 COMPLETE AND SUBMIT ONLINE: jewishcollegeloansmi.org WHAT IS THE WILLIAM DAVIDSON JEWISH COLLEGE LOAN PROGRAM? • A Need-based, interest-free loan program for Jewish Michigan residents who are U.S. Citizens. • Qualifying students must be enrolled in full-time accredited colleges or universities in Michigan. • Free Application ...…
…6 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 PURELY COMMENTARY continued on page 11 1942 - 2022 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week 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 32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing of...…
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…8 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 opinion U.S. Failure on Ukraine Could Lead to a Conflagration in the Middle East, Asia I t is not clear yet whether the Ukraine crisis will end peacefully or wheth- er war will again erupt on European soil. Nevertheless, several observations are in order. For years, many in the West have cel- ebrated the reduced role of military force in internation- al relations. Scholars herald- ed “the end of history” a...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 9 Join us for a great night out! This traveling comedy show combines top Muslim and Jewish stand-up comedians for a fun and inspiring night of humor. It’s funny, meaningful and brings our two diverse communities together. Just $20 and your FIRST DRINK IS ON US. Get your tickets at jewishdetroit.org/comedy For more info: Yiftah Leket at leket@jfmd.org Federation’s Israel & Overseas Department presents Wednesday, ...…
…10 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 opinion Time Is on Israel’s Side P ositive momentum in Israel’s regional stand- ing is underway, as can be seen by the visits of senior Israeli officials — among them its previous and present prime minister, and the foreign and defense ministers — to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Morocco, and the visit of a military delegation to Sudan, as well as a military flight...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 11 (For the record, one study was conducted by Gil Atzmon of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Harry Ostrer of New York University and the other was the work of Doron M. Behar of the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa and Richard Villems of the University of Tartu in Estonia, publishing in the American Journal of Human Genetics and Nature respectively). Whoopi Goldberg’s asser- tion that the Holocau...…
…OUR COMMUNITY A vern Cohn was, simply, a giant in many ways. Cohn, who was a federal judge in Detroit for more than 40 years and presided over nationally famous cases, including the intermittent windshield wiper saga that was made into a movie and two landmark free speech rulings, was a legend in the legal and political as well as the Jewish communities. He was a prolific writer on legal issues, as well as a highly accomplished amateu...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 13 The media labeled her “Jihad Jane,” and she was doubly wor- ried when she learned her case would be before Judge Cohn, a pillar of Detroit’s Jewish community. But after studying the case, the judge tore into the government and the media and praised her for “rendering extraordinary service to the United States.” In the end, Prouty was totally exonerated. “I was ecstatic that the judge had seen through the smoke to ...…
…ed, and that Fourth of July, 100,000 Ku Klux Klan members marched in Jackson. His father did very well in law and real estate, and Avern grew up in an upper-mid- dle-class Jewish neighborhood that he later called the “golden ghetto. ” Later, he said “I don’t think I ever had any non-Jewish friends until I was in the army. ” One of his first memories was being at a meeting in 1930, where he went around with a bucket collecting donations ...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 15 she said something racially dis- paraging about a visitor to the office. In the aftermath of the 1967 Detroit riot, which coincidentally began on the young lawyer’s 43rd birthday, he represented defen- dants accused of looting free of charge. Detroit Mayor Coleman Young appointed him to the Detroit Police Commission, and he strongly backed the mayor’s efforts to integrate the force. Avern Cohn’s father, Irwin,...…
…OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 15 16 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 40 years, he had many significant and high-profile cases. In Doe v. University of Michigan (1989) he struck down a hate speech code his alma mater had instituted, saying it was vague, too broad and violat- ed people’s First Amendment rights. In U.S. v. Jake Baker (1995) one of the first landmark cases involving free speech and the internet, he dismissed charges against a stud...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 17 Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation. Facing financial dif iculty? ☐ Call jhelp at 1-833-445-4357 ☐ Visit jhelp.org ☐ Chat online with a staff member or schedule a call at jhelp.org ☐ Do all of the above X Q We Have Answers. …
…R enee Kaplan, a person with developmental dis- abilities being assisted by a JARC independent living skills (ILS) program, has used her hobby of making blankets during the pandemic to help others. On Jan. 29, Kaplan donated 25 handmade blankets to the Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL) located in Pontiac. The washable, tie fleece blankets will be used for rescue kittens and puppies, adult dogs and cats, and any other use MARL ...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 19 the pandemic, every volun- teer activity she was involved in had been shut down. “We sat here, and it was very difficult for everybody, and still is,” Rubenstein said. “And I think sometimes we just have to look for the light in the darkness, about what we can do, what we can contribute, instead of thinking of all the things we couldn’t. “We had to go forward and find a light in there, and I think the bla...…
…OUR COMMUNITY O n Tuesday, Feb. 8, the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Emergency Preparedness and Communication met to discuss the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and protecting houses of worship, this following the wake of the antisemitic terrorist attack on Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, last month. The hearing was led by Chairwoman Val Demings (D) of Florida. Members of Congress, along with a diverse...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 21 been our harsh reality. And we can’t ignore that reality. We have to confront it.” Members of Congress followed up with ques- tions asking what more they could do to help. Representative Clay Higgins (R) of Louisiana expressed how he and the members of the subcom- mittee and representatives on both sides of the aisle are dedicated to help find solutions so that places of worship can peacefully gather. He ...…
…22 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY O n Feb 1, Hillel Day School held its sixth annual Heroes Panel, where Hillel fifth-grade students hear stories about and get inspired by local heroes. Among the speakers at the panel was Joanne Lukasik, financial controller at Hillel, who told her life story and pas- sion for playing hockey ever since she was a young girl, even after having both legs severed just below the knees at 16 years old ...…
…FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 | 23 was tragically killed in the Oxford High School shoot- ing. The program is part of Hillel’s fifth grade proj- ect-based learning unit on heroes. Students study the qualities of everyday heroes in their Tanach class through a close analysis of Exodus 2. In the biblical text, students learn about the heroic qualities of the midwives who defied Pharaoh’s order to kill all firstborn boys and kept the children...…
…OUR COMMUNITY T he William Davidson Foundation announced two grants to honor the life and memory of Byron and Dorothy Gerson, the broth- er-in-law and sister of the Foundation’s founder. Totaling $6.5 million, the grants to the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will support two of Michigan’s arts and cultural institutions that held special significance to Mrs. Gerson and her late hus- band, Byron. Mrs. ...…
