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…$200 May 19-25, 2022 / 18-24 Iyar 5782 $2 May 19-25, 2022 / 18-24 Iyar 5782 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com Class of 2022 Class of 2022 Class of 2022 Maz el Tov, Maz el Tov, See page 53 …

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…MAY 19 • 2022 | 3 contents contents contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-10 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 12 Ambulances for Ukraine Okemos man helps deliver ambulances and medical supplies to Jews in the war-torn region. 16 Honoring the Best of Jewish Detroit Federation’s 2022 Awards Night honors outstanding community leaders. 18 Advocating for Change Jewish groups mobilize to get reproductive rights issue on Michig...…

…4 | MAY 19 • 2022 for openers The Frozen Bagel and the Synagogue I t usually takes years to get to the point where you can make a living as a stand- up comedian. That applies to many other professions in the arts, but it’s widely known that you’re prob- ably not going to be very good for a long time. Accepting that, and know- ing you are just going to have to put in the time, the “Day Job” as it is commonly known is going to ...…

…DIAMOND Marvin & Betty Danto Family Foundation* Andi & Larry Wolfe* PLATINUM Judy & Jeff Aisen Pamela & Walter Feuereisen* The Irving & Ethel Palman Foundation Linda & Mark Jacobs Melissa & Larry Lax* Joy & Allan Nachman* AnaPaola & Geoffrey Orley* Diane & Randy Orley* The Sylvia Pevin & George Pevin Foundation Drs. Margo & Douglas Woll GOLD Rhonda & Morris Brown* Shirley & Leonard Cetner Sandy & Jim Danto* Shelley & Michael Eizelma...…

…6 | MAY 19 • 2022 column The Challenge of Reforming a Powerless UN Security Council T he Russian war on Ukraine, and the seem- ing powerlessness of the United Nations to halt it or seriously punish its insti- gator because of the veto power that the Russian Federation wields in the UN Security Council, has reignited a long-running debate about reforming the world body’s most important organ. The UN Charter states that “The ...…

…Since 1996, we have been guiding families through life’s most difficult moments. Whether you’re faced with challenges related to addiction, mental health, or a complex medical crisis, our multidisciplinary team is here to provide the care solutions and peace of mind you deserve. Dealing With a Medical or Behavioral Health Crisis Can Be Overwhelming. We can help. 248.538.5425 FeinbergCare.com Pam Feinberg-Rivkin, RN CHAIRPERSON OF ...…

…8 | MAY 19 • 2022 column Harvard, BDS and the Nazis T he editors of Harvard’s student newspaper have just urged a boy- cott of the Jewish state and praised a campus group that has celebrated a murderer of Jewish college students. In the 1930s, the editors of the same newspaper asserted that Harvard should grant an award to a Nazi offi- cial who promoted anti-Jewish boycotts and celebrated mur- derers of Jews. Is there a basis ...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 9 strong ties to Nazi-controlled German universities; in particular, the University of Heidelberg. Even though Heidelberg fired all its Jewish faculty members, instituted a Nazified curriculum and hosted a mass book-burning, Harvard President James Conant accepted an invita- tion to take part in celebra- tions of Heidelberg’s 550th anniversary in 1936. He said “political conditions”— such as the mass persecution of...…

…10 | MAY 19 • 2022 PURELY COMMENTARY THE FROZEN BAGEL continued from page 4 never really the whole service. As it was an all-important bagel day, I figured I’d head over and give it a whirl. When I walked in, there was Adam, and he gave a big smile and hello. I simply replied, “I don’t want to hear it! This is your fault!” Adam laughed and said, “I’ll take full blame, and credit!” We generally make jokes about having to go to sy...…

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…12 | MAY 19 • 2022 S ince the beginning of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Oded “Ody” Norkin, 67, of Okemos, has felt the pull of his past. In 1925, his father, Aaron, graduated Odessa Technical School. In 1941, when the Nazis and their allies took siege of Odessa, his father, like many Jews, was deported to work camps in Siberia. His grandparents Sara and Moshe Norkin were murdered in the streets of Odessa. “My grandparents were not eva...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 13 need, so I was lucky to have been taken under his wing, and so we went to work.” Since the beginning of the war, Katz has been providing relief efforts, funded by many organizations, including B’nai B’rith International, to Ukrainian refugees who have made it to Siret. Norkin spent his first week in Romania working with Katz providing relief to refugees in Siret as they stepped up efforts to procure medical suppli...…

…OUR COMMUNITY 14 | MAY 19 • 2022 The trip was slow- going and marked by 21 checkpoints by Ukrainian military, who at one point held them for several hours for questioning. “It was a pretty grueling all-nighter, and we were delayed a lot because of curfews and other humanitarian trucks going across the border,” explained Norkin. “But we had help from our hosts in Odessa because they helped us communicate with the military staf...…

…The Teen Board is a project of The Jewish Fund. The Jewish Fund was established in 1997 from the sale proceeds of Sinai Hospital to the Detroit Medical Center. Sinai Hospital was a Jewish community funded facility that grew into one of metropolitan Detroit’s top health care institutions. As a legacy of Sinai Hospital, The Jewish Fund continues the tradition of assuring quality and compassionate care for those in need in Metropolitan Detro...…

…16 | MAY 19 • 2022 E ach year, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit honors exceptional individu- als who have made a positive impact on the Jewish commu- nity. Common characteristics can be found in outstanding leaders: a passion to serve their communities; an active involvement in the organiza- tions near and dear to their hearts; and inspiring others to do the same. This year’s awardees have something else in common...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 17 Well, a NEXTGen Detroit and Kadima board member, and co-chair of Federation’s Liaison Committee and Becker and Marcus Mission, Katz is taking a vital role in mentoring the next genera- tion of leaders. She also sits on the Federation’s Local Area Planning Division and has built relationships with Jews around the world as the JDC Ralph I. Goldman fellow. The Frank A. Wetsman Young Leadership Award was establis...…

…OUR COMMUNITY 18 | MAY 19 • 2022 S ince the U.S. Supreme Court draft decision was leaked earlier this month, forecast- ing its intentions to overturn Roe v Wade, Michigan women are con- cerned a 1931 law on the Michigan books would immediately go into effect, essentially illegalizing abor- tion in the state, reversing a 50-year precedent of women’s rights for 2.2 million women of childbearing age in the state. This law states that ...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 19 in January 2022 to testify in support of the summary wording of the initiative. “For younger women, I think there was this feeling that this could never hap- pen,” Levy said. “There was a fear [the court] would merely chip away at Roe, but this [leaked] draft opinion shows that there’s an inten- tion to eliminate it. So that has mobilized a lot of young people and people of all ages. The [1931] law is a throw- b...…

…20 | MAY 19 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY A conversation with constitutional law professor Robert Sedler. What Would Overruling Roe v Wade Mean for Michigan? DAVID SACHS ASSOCIATE EDITOR R obert Sedler, 86, a retired constitu- tional law professor at Wayne State University, is no stranger to the bat- tle for reproductive rights. While teaching law at the University of Kentucky prior to the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, Sedler filed suit along w...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 21 weeks. About half of the abor- tions performed in the first 10 weeks are by means of medica- tion, not surgery. The question is: Because the federal government allows this medication, would this preempt a state law prohibiting or reg- ulating the use of medication abortions? Medication is under the auspices of the federal gov- ernment, and the government could allow mailing this med- ication to a woman, even to a s...…

…22 | MAY 19 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY I n today’s world, teaching is perhaps the most important profession and, some- times, the least appreciated. A great teacher can open students’ minds and hearts, challenge them to greater heights and inspire them to become better people. In the Talmud, it states that “parents bring a child into this world, but a teacher can bring a child into the World to Come” — into a world of imagination, self-di...…

…on being named Educator of the Year by the Detroit Jewish News recently being appointed as a professor at Lawrence Technological University, enabling FJA students to take college level classes and receive college credit while still in high school. CONGRATULATI NS to ERIC RAPP ANNOUNCING SHORASHIM GRANTS $10,000 off annual tuition EVERY For more information and to apply visit www.frankelja.org/admissions or contact Arielle Endelman...…

…24 | MAY 19 • 2022 When I began as volunteer greeter at the then new Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills in 2004, I had no idea I would be there for nine years. In 2006, I went on a group trip to both Poland and Israel with Hadassah to experience my Judaism and newfound knowl- edge from the HMC. Our great Rabbi Charles Rosenzvieg asked me to bring him a brochure from Auschwitz as he was writing one for the new center at ...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 25 MAZAL TOV TO ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR INCREDIBLE EDUCATORS FOR ENSURING AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR INCREDIBLE EDUCATORS FOR ENSURING HILLEL STUDENTS ARE LEARNING, THRIVING, AND DISCOVERING THEIR PASSIONS HILLEL STUDENTS ARE LEARNING, THRIVING, AND DISCOVERING THEIR PASSIONS EACH AND EVERY DAY. EACH AND EVERY DAY. JODI TEPPER You are most deserving. Your Hillel colleag...…

…26 | MAY 19 • 2022 Bortnick is an amazing teacher,” said one parent. “She goes above and beyond to help students. She will investigate the ways to adapt techniques that engage the students. She is patient and has a sense of humor.” LAUREN STERLING, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Lauren Sterling teaches English at Hillel Day School. “She is able to approach students with kindness and Humor. She fol- lows through when a student is having dif- fic...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 27 Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation. Need Housing Support? ☐ 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. 2065 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfi eld, MI 48323 (248) 310-7001 | villagepilatesstudio@gmail.com www.thevillagepilatesstudio...…

…28 | MAY 19 • 2022 L ooking for the Light is an art exhibition and event series dedicated to the destigmatization of mental illness. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month (May), the event’s mission is to confront the issue of mental illness in a celebratory, informational and inspiring way — eschewing the shame and promoting help options. Events run through the end of the month and include art, counsel, education and fun,...…

…0.99% APR ON SELECT CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLES! *$750 toward Cap Cost Reduction with the lease through Honda Financial Services of a select new and not previously reported sold 2022 Pilot, Passport, HR-V, Odyssey, CR-V, Ridgeline, Civic Sedan, Accord or Insight to qualified current owners of any 2012 or newer Honda. Excludes Civic Si and Clarity FCX. Must provide proof of ownership of eligible vehicle in the form of a current vehicle re...…

…30 | MAY 19 • 2022 A true piece of Jewish history sits just over the Detroit River, an institution that’s seen it all in its near century of existence. It may have originated as a repli- ca, but there’s no duplicating it. Windsor’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, or “Gate of Heaven, ” is an exact model of the namesake synagogue in Montreal, just on a smaller scale. The synagogue was built 93 years ago and is listed on the Herit...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 31 Holidays. We keep the syna- gogue going. ” Cantor David Neumark has been Shaar Hashomayim’s spir- itual leader since 1993. Rabbi Sholom Galperin of the Chabad Jewish Centre of Windsor also has a hand in services at the synagogue. Shaar Hashomayim’s constitution defines it as an Orthodox congrega- tion, although it has made some concessions to certain Conservative practices at the request of many congregants. Whi...…

…32 | MAY 19 • 2022 W hat started as a family visit turned into certified volunteer position with the Hospice of Michigan. “ About three and a half years ago, I was tagged on a Facebook post from another animal lover saying that Hospice of Michigan was in need of pet therapy friends, ” said Eddie Berger of Bloomfield Hills. That’s when Eddie realized his 3-year- old labradoodle Vince would be a perfect candidate after seeing how ca...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 33 IT’S TIME TO REQUEST YOUR METROPARKS SUMMER GUIDE. Keep the family busy and outdoors all summer long! Get your FREE guide filled with a full summer of Metroparks events info. Scan the QR Code to request your Metroparks Summer Guide. METROPARKS.COM As featured on: Need Help with an IRS or State Tax Problem? Call the experts at 1-800-TAX-LEVY (829-5389) • Tax Liens • Collection Notices • Penalties • Unfi led Tax ...…

…34 | MAY 19 • 2022 W indsor’s Assumption University and the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre launched a new course titled, “Jerusalem and Rome: Jewish-Catholic Relations” during an event at the Windsor JCC on May 2. The course marks a new chapter in Jewish-Catholic dia- logue, teaching an appreciation for both religious traditions with hopes to inspire additional Jewish-Catholic communities in Canada and the Unit...…

…At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we’re here for you with access to care for both your physical and mental health wherever and whenever you need it. Including online visits from the privacy of your own home. Because we know that good health is whole health. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofi t corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Confi dence comes ...…

…36 | MAY 19 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY N ationally recognized storytellers Corinne Stavish and Rev. Robert Jones Sr. provided an evening of stories and songs on the theme of freedom while drawing on Jewish and Black experiences on April 20 at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield. The program was a fund- raiser for refugees displaced in the current fight for freedom in Ukraine. The artists waived their fees, and all proceeds, more than...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 37 Danish Jews were safely ferried over to Sweden by Danish fishermen over a three-week period, saving 95 percent of the country’s Jews. “I’m left so speechless by some of the stories, ” said Steve Merritt, the event organizer. “The Denmark story shocked me. I found myself crying. We’re not so used to that kind of decency … and being exposed to a whole society that works together when we’re in a period of such div...…

…38 | MAY 19 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY A t just 17 years old and still a senior in high school, Sofia Bat Sarah has no plans for marriage in the immediate future, but you might still catch her on occasion wandering around wearing a tichel (head scarf). That’s because she wants to make sure that the tichels she’s creating are as comfortable as she’s promising her buyers. It all began when Sofia saw some images of Judaic jewelry online. ...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 39 opportunities, industry-specific panels and discussions about topics such as business devel- opment, Jewish identity and Israel engagement. Livvy Gordon, originally from Franklin, Michigan, par- ticipated in this year’s Excel Summit and enjoyed recon- necting with friends from all over the world and meeting other Excel alumni. Gordon attended Cranbrook Schools and graduated from Georgetown University in May 2021....…

…OUR COMMUNITY 40 | MAY 19 • 2022 A merica’s opioid crisis is about more than a few villains in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, says Harry Nelson. He will address the topic as the guest speaker at this year’s Nelson Legacy Event June 8-9 at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park. At the keynote lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, Nelson will explore the roots of the opioid crisis in terms of over- doses and addiction an...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 41 T he Jewish News took home 13 awards in its print class from the Detroit Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Excellence in Journalism awards on May 5 at the San Marino Club in Troy. In the category of Community/Local News Reporting, Director of Editorial Jackie Headapohl won first place for “9-11: 20 Years Later“ and fourth place for “Heroes at Your Doorstep.” Contributing Writer Stacy Gittleman took ...…

…T hroughout her education at Hillel Day School and Frankel Jewish Academy, Amira Soleimani realized her pas- sion for Judaism at a young age. “I felt this was my life calling, ” the 36-year-old recalls. “My dream was to be a Bible teacher, to inspire the next generation in the way that my teachers inspired me. ” The current director of Judaic studies curriculum and instruc- tion at Hillel Day School never strayed far from her origins...…

…Haley Stevens Strengthens the US-Israel Relationship and Fights Antisemitism. Andy Levin Does Not ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN, FORMER NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE (1987 – 2015) T he race between Democratic U.S. House colleagues Andy Levin and Haley Stevens in Michigan’s new 11th congressional district has captured national attention. Some see it through the prism of defending a Democratic majority and debate the propriet...…

…44 | MAY 19 • 2022 MAZEL TOV! APRIL 23, 2022 Laura (Marcus) and Michael Kleinman of Hoboken, N.J., joyously announce the birth of their daughter, Avery Jordyn. Happy grand- parents are Andee and Ken Marcus of West Bloomfield. and Jody Kleinman of Plainview, N.Y. Avery is named in loving memory of her grandfather Alan Kleinman. Ashtyn Rose Eisenberg, daughter of Shannon and Joe Laverde, and Karin and Brian Eisenberg, will lead t...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 45 SPIRIT Share Your Bounty T here is a famous story about two partners hav- ing an argument regard- ing a piece of land. Each was positive that the land belonged to him and him alone. Finally, they pleaded their case in front of the rabbi. The rabbi tried to find a compromise, but they were each adamant. The rabbi then said: “I must see the piece of land. ” After a good hour of riding together, they approached th...…

…P arshat Behar is just a single chapter, but it transformed the social struc- ture of ancient Israel and provided a unique solution to the seemingly unsolv- able conflict between two fundamental ide- als: freedom and equality. Much of human history has illustrated the fact that you can have freedom without equality (capitalism/ laissez-faire economics) or equality without freedom (communism, socialism), but not both. The powerful ins...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 47 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 be...…

…48 | MAY 19 • 2022 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 La...…

…MAY 19 • 2022 | 49 B rotherhood-Eddie Jacobson B’nai B’rith bowling league champion. International B’nai B’rith Bowling Association national tournament champion. It was a great season for the House Ballz team, especially considering its humble beginnings. “We joined the (Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson) league seven years ago. We were terrible,” said team captain Ryan Vieder. “We got our team name because none of us had our bowling ...…

…50 | MAY 19 • 2022 SPORTS quick hits BY STEVE STEIN A milestone season has begun for the B’nai B’rith golf league. This is the 10th season for the weekly nine-hole league, and its ninth season at The Links of Novi after starting at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center in Plymouth. The 17-week league once again has a full roster of 12 two-man teams, 25 golfers in all (one team has two golfers who alternate weeks). Competition, camara...…