…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 35 nalist and Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow Efrat Lachter, who agreed to speak with one day’s notice. Efrat shared stories of bravery, in particular that of Inbar Lieberman, the 25-year- old security coordinator at Kibbutz Nir Am, who saved the kibbutz through her quick and daring mobilization of their security team. Efrat is a seasoned war cor- respondent who has heard tes- timonies from other atrocities ove...…
…36 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N W hen families flew to Israel for their highly anticipated Sukkot vacation, some ended up fearing for their lives and scrambling for flights back home amid war and chaos. Now that they are back on American soil and safe from the rocket fire, they have mixed feelings about it. Michael and Fallon Levin of Southfield flew to Israel on Sept. 26 with their kids, Fallon’s mother, Inez Garfield, and brother...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 37 was created. We were very inspired … And then war broke out Shabbat morning. ” When the Blumenkehls heard the sirens, they first assumed it was a kitchen fire, until hotel staff directed the hotel guests into the bomb shelter. After 10 minutes, they exit- ed the shelter and the family tried to get ready for shul, but the siren kept going off anew. Finally, a staff member turned on the TV in the lobby. “That’s...…
…38 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N OUR COMMUNITY O n Oct. 7, Maya Aisner woke up, checked her phone, and saw missed alerts about rocket attacks, including instructions to seek shelter immediately. There were also dozens of calls and messages awaiting her response. When the next alert came, the 18-year-old West Bloomfield High School graduate spending a gap year in Israel, grabbed a newly packed bag containing food, water and clothing...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 39 J N Ruby Bagdade, a Bloomfield Hills High School junior, was about seven weeks into studying abroad via the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Impact Fellowship at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel when terror broke out at the hands of Hamas. The fellowship, which was sup- posed to last four months, pre- pares a select group of high school students from around the world to take their place as future Jewish chang...…
…4 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N JCRC/AJC Statement Grateful for Allies Standing with Israel W e, the undersigned faith leaders in Michigan, say clearly and in no uncertain terms — we stand with Israel in its fight against Hamas terrorism. The Hamas terrorist attacks inten- tionally targeted the lives of innocent Israelis — men, women, the elderly and babies — and were carried out in the most brutal and barbaric ways. As people of faith, ...…
…40 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 went to shul. There, she saw rockets flying overhead, and her thoughts turned to her 21-year-old brother, serving in the IDF. “It was the only time in my life when I had trouble not being on my phone during a yontif or Shabbos,” she says. When the holiday ended and she was able to con- nect with her parents, they told her they had booked her on two different flights home in case the first one was cancele...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 41 J N G et ready for eight nights of Chanukah with the eighth annual Chanu-Con! at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park. The event is free and open to the public. Enjoy children’s activities and entertainment, kosher lunch options from Bloom’s Kosher Catering, live music and the beloved 50/50 raffle. Oh, wait! And, of course, anything and everything you need to be the best Chanukah gift giver of all time! ...…
…42 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N Gesher Human Services held its annual awards night on Sept. 28 at the Birmingham Community House, honoring staff, community members and participants in its programming. George Stern, a past chair of the board, was awarded the first Gesher Bridge Builder Award for his unparalleled commitment to the organization. Current board chair Kristen Gross described Stern as “a mensch in every sense of the word. ” H...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 43 A special group of volunteer judges will be reviewing submissions and choosing the 36 winners. Honorees will receive a free subscription to the JN and be featured in a February 2024 issue. GO ONLINE TO THEJEWISHNEWS.COM AND SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION BY DECEMBER 29, 2023 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT Do you know someone who gives of themselves to the community in robust — and often thankless — ways? Someone you admire and ...…
…44 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N T he remarkable success story of the Frankel Jewish Academy boys tennis team continued to be written this fall, with the Jaguars adding some new chapters. After qualifying for the Division 4 state tournament for the eighth time in 10 years, Frankel finished in seventh place among 24 teams and had players reach the semifinals in three flights. The seventh-place finish at state was the highest in team his...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 45 J N matches Oct. 21. Feldman and Witt played only their semifi- nal match Oct. 21. All the nighttime match- es and most of the daytime matches at the state tourna- ment were played indoors. The state tournament closed the door on Shaevsky’s Frankel tennis career. He was on the team for four years and went to the state tournament three times. After playing No. 4 doubles at state as a sophomore and junior, winnin...…
…G od appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men were standing over against him; and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent entrance, and bowed down to the earth… ” Genesis 18:1–2 Thus, Parshat Vayera opens with one of the most famous scenes in the Bible: Abraham’s meeting with the three enigmatic stra...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 47 Your eyes, do not leave Your servant [i.e. Please wait until I have given hospitality to these men]. ’ [He then turned to the men and said:] ‘Let me send for some water so that you may bathe your feet and rest under this tree… ’” This daring interpretation became the basis for a prin- ciple in Judaism: “Greater is hospitality than receiving the Divine Presence. ” Faced with a choice between listening to God ...…
…Synagogue Directory METRO DETROIT CONSERVATIVE Adat Shalom Synagogue Farmington Hills (248) 851-5100 adatshalom.org Congregation Beth Ahm West Bloomfield (248) 851-6880 cbahm.org Congregation Beth Shalom Oak Park (248) 547-7970 congbethshalom.org Beth Tephilath Moses Mt. Clemens (586) 996-3138 bethtephilathmoses.com B’nai Israel Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 432-2729 bnaiisraelwb.org Congregation B’nai Moshe West Blo...…
…Temple Emanu-El Oak Park (248) 967-4020 emanuel-mich.org Temple Israel West Bloomfield (248) 661-5700 temple-israel.org Temple Kol Ami West Bloomfield (248) 661-0040 tkolami.org Temple Shir Shalom West Bloomfield (248) 737-8700 shirshalom.org REFORM/RENEWAL Congregation Shir Tikvah Troy (248) 649-4418 shirtikvah.org SECULAR/HUMANISTIC Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 ...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 5 J N with Life Remodeled. This has included dedicated volunteerism and generous philanthropic support to ensure more Detroiters have equitable access to educational youth programs, better job opportunities and various health and wellness resources. As all of you know by now, I am absolutely convinced systemic racism against Black Americans remains one of the greatest challenges in our country. I can also say...…
…50 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N ARTS&LIFE COMEDY T he comedian going by his middle name, Modi, was 7 years old when his family moved from Israel to America, and he returns to Israel for visits with cousins and performances in live shows. Modi’s last appearances in the country of his birth happened just days before the terrorist attacks. Now, looking forward to appearing Nov. 15 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, he tells about Israeli com...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 51 in the office, and a friend suggested he try his talents in standup comedy and orga- nized that start. “The owner of the club said that I was very good and should stick with it, ” Modi said. “While I was working at the bank during the day and appearing at comedy clubs in the evenings, I decided to do comedy full time. ” The Comedy Cellar in New York is considered Modi’s home club, and he performs there when ...…
…52 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N ARTS&LIFE MUSIC A banjo player and an organist have put together a ragtime concert to raise money for the restoration of the organ at the Masonic Temple in Detroit. The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, in the Cathedral Theatre at the Masonic Temple. “I want the audience to learn how enjoyable it is to experience live music, especially with this instrumentation,” said Aaron Lewis, the banjo pl...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 53 J N SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT I almost never cover high- profile crimes. But this one is different. About 10 days ago, I stumbled on a YouTube video about the 2014 murder of Dan Markel. At the time of his death, Markel was 41 and a law professor at Florida State University (FSU), Tallahassee. Fairly quickly, I realized that this was a “big case” that had been covered, on-and-off, for almost a decade by 20...…
…MAGIC SHOW 3:30-4:30 PM, NOV. 2 (THURS.) At Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township. Grandparents and grandkids will have a fantastic time with Beth Elders of TBE. A magic show by Big Patric, cookies, chocolate milk and coffee. Open to everyone in the community, and it’s free. EVENING AT THE THEATER 7-10 PM, NOV. 2 (THURS.) Join NEXTGen Detroit for an evening at Detroit Public Theatre, 3690 Third Ave., Detroit. See a play by J...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 55 ages 6 & up. To register go to JLive.app/events/5690. HOLIDAY COOKIES 6:30-8 PM, NOV. 7 (TUES.) At Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township. “Baking for the Jewish Soul” featuring Chanukah cookies with baker Stacy Fox, who is the owner of Diamond Bakery in West Bloomfield. Cost: $36 per person. Info: jlive.app/ events/5767. GALLERY EVENT 6 PM, NOV. 9 (THURS.) “Common Threads: Ladies Gallery Event” at Farbe...…
…56 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N 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. thejewishnews.com/newsletter Weekly Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox. Aaron Mendelson Heating and Cooling, LLC. 248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292 License # 71184...…
…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 57 J N c. 1988 SYLVIA COHEN, 98, of Farmington Hills, died Oct. 25, 2023. She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Richard Cohen, and Donald Cohen and Deborah Tanzer-Cohen; many other loving family members and friends. Sylvia was the beloved wife of the late Bernard Cohen; mother of the late Robert Cohen; sister of the late Ruben Cottler. Interment was held at Adat ...…
…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 58 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N RICHARD STEVEN WADE died Oct. 22, 2023. He was the loving husband of Amy for 20 years; dear father of Stephanie Sacco (Leonard) and Julian Regal; grandfather of Rachel, Shelby, Sophia, Isabella, Lily and Luciano; great- grandfather of Leo; brother of Brian Wade (Tami), Rosemarie Smith, Debbie Labadie (John). Services were held through A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home. ...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 59 J N continued on page 60 Serving each family. Consoling each heart. For 105 years. T hree weeks after Kibbutz Be’eri was massacred, its surviving members still gather for their community’s traditional evening meeting. The kibbutz, ransacked and empty, is now a closed military zone. To those familiar with the litany of atrocities committed on Oct. 7, its name has become synonymous with some of the day’s w...…
…1942 - 2023 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.thejewishnews.com 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 offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 322...…
…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 60 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N continued from page 59 missing people is ongoing: The tally, which started at 20 dead out of 115 missing kibbutz members, has now grown to 85 dead and is likely to increase. Additional people who lived at Be’eri, but were not members of the kibbutz, were also killed, for a total death toll of more than 100. Each of those statistics is an individual known on a first-name bas...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 61 J N Israel’s ‘Iron Lady’ A lthough she passed away 70 years ago, former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir (1898-1978) has been a headliner in the media once again. Over the past several months, the feature film Golda premiered in theaters around the country (see the Sept. 3, 2023, JN). Deborah E. Lipstadt, an accomplished historian and United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, published ...…
…Just for Fun Look for answers in next week’s issue. 62 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 Jewish Joke of the Week WRONG WAY DRIVER A man is driving home from work when his cell phone rings. “Morrie!” his wife exclaims. “Be careful! I heard on the news there’s a lunatic driv- ing the wrong direction on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway!” “What do you mean one lunatic?” says Morrie. “There are hundreds!” …
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…DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 7 J N continued from page 6 Hillel. So, if a non-Jew can be a Zionist, it begs the question: What is a Zionist? A Zionist is one who supports the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, which, in turn, means a safe and thriving Jewish state. A Zionist also embraces the triumph of Jews risin...…
…8 | NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 J N essay Israel’s Remarkable Resilience Is a Beacon of Hope in the Midst of Despair I n the bustling corridors of our hospital, I’ve borne witness to extraordinary resilience during one of our nation’s most challenging times. Each day, I walk through the ICU where the monitors beep in rhythmic precision, where patients —civilians and soldiers — fight for their lives. Our hospital, an emblem of medica...…
…NOVEMBER 2 • 2023 | 9 J N Were you ready for this war online? For those looking for answers to difficult questions, and for a comprehensive understanding of all things Israel and Jewish, OpenDor Media’s videos, podcasts, and articles across media platforms ensure the presence of a strong and credible voice at a time when we need it more than ever. Two million people have turned to our content to make sense of the moment. Have you? ...…
…$200 March 2-8, 2023 / 9-15 Adar 5783 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com WDIV’s leading meteorologist Paul Gross retires after 40 years. See page 10 The Forecast: Sunny Days Ahead …
…10 | MARCH 2 • 2023 OUR COMMUNITY ON THE COVER WDIV’s leading meteorologist Paul Gross retires after 40 years. SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY ZOLYNSKY The Forecast: Sunny Days Ahead A fter decades as an award-winning television meteorologist, Temple Kol Ami member Paul Gross still enjoyed his work but decided that this was a good time to leave. “I had accom- plished everything I could do at WDIV , ...…
…MARCH 2 • 2023 | 11 focuses on the importance of weather to the viewing audi- ence. “Weather is the No. 1 reason people watch television news, and we can show it more than before, ” Gross says. “I am providing information to peo- ple that will help them at the minimum plan their day or at the maximum help save their lives. My job becomes a job of public safety. ” Gross has provided much more than highly regarded weather reporting. ...…
…12 | MARCH 2 • 2023 weatherman like Sonny Eliot — the late well-known Detroiter weathercaster. Gross studied meteorology and graduated from the University of Michigan’s Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science. In his sophomore year, he became WDIV’s first weather intern and was later hired for a part-time, off-camera position. This led to part-time on-air positions in Lansing and at WKBD in Detroit, while still working ...…
…MARCH 2 • 2023 | 13 no preparation was required for tornadoes. “Michigan is in the northern edge of tornado country, and we get fewer torna- does but they are more likely to be serious, ” Gross says. Through his efforts, two of the 10 drills required for students are now tor- nado drills — one of his proudest accom- plishments. Another personal point of pride is his role in the documentary Forecast: Overlord about the role of weather in...…
…14 | MARCH 2 • 2023 BETH AHM’S THE HOLIDAY OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY 7:30 PM MARCH 2 Purim is a big celebration. But the underlying themes of Purim are complex. How do Esther, Mordechai and the Jewish people find their way through the danger of Ahashverosh’s kingdom? What might we learn from the lessons they have left us? Join Rabbi Rubenstein to explore the story of Purim and what it can teach us today. Free and open to the community...…
…MARCH 2 • 2023 | 15 THE SHUL’S HAMANTASH SHAPING @ BUSCH’S 1: 30 PM, MARCH 5 Get into the Purim spirit with J-Space @ Busch’s, 33300 W. 14 Mile Road, West Bloomfield. Join us as we flatten, fill and fold our hamantashen! Lots of fun fillings to create your delicious Purim treats! Get your time slot at theshul.net/ reservations. DETROIT JEWS FOR JUSTICE PURIM EXTRAVAGANZA 2 PM, MARCH 5 This gathering of Jewish progressives will featu...…
…16 | MARCH 2 • 2023 smiles to everyone who sees your pet in costume! On March 7, we will share the Purim Pet Parade (in the form of a slideshow) all over social media! On March 8, our distinguished panel of pet costume experts will select the winners of the Esther Award for Best Female Pet Costume and the Mordechai Award for Best Male Pet Costume. Winners will receive a special gift for their pets. Info at https://jlive.app/ event...…
…MARCH 2 • 2023 | 17 Need Help with an IRS or State Tax Problem? 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 Returns • Audits Call us today to answer your questions or to schedule a meeting and say goodbye to those sleepless nights! 1-800-TAX-LEVY (829-5389) www.levytaxhelp.com We Listen …. We Care … We Help! HQ...…
…18 | MARCH 2 • 2023 T he school cafeteria at Hillel Day School teemed with activity on Monday, Feb. 6 — the Jewish holiday of Tu b’Shevat — as students stepped out of their ordinary lunch routine to help the environment. Students and adult volunteers stationed themselves by bright green bins, assisting students and staff to determine what could go in the compost. Food scraps, compostable lunch containers, special plant-made ...…
…MARCH 2 • 2023 | 19 significant impact.” This dedicated startup group of students met every week, starting in the fall, to design educational materials and logistics for the event. “My favorite part was the teamwork that made it happen. It wouldn’t have been possible with just one person!” said sixth-grader Maya Weingarden, who created an educational video for the whole school with fellow sixth-grader Ally Berman. “It was diffi...…
…Spring clean your skin and hair care regimen! Products due for a refresh? We’ve got the right ones for you. Join our clinical trials for psoriasis and eczema Led by Dr. Steven Grekin. Go to AdvancedDerm.com/clinicaltrials March specials Visit your location page at AdvancedDerm.com to learn more. Our family taking care of your family’s skin for 105 years. Offices in Livonia, Shelby Township, Southfield/Franklin, Warren, Wyandott...…
…20 | MARCH 2 • 2023 OUR COMMUNITY W hen I was growing up in the 1970s, spending time in Israel generally meant living on a kibbutz. As a gay kid, this didn’t particularly appeal to me, and I didn’t visit until many years later, when, most recently, my husband, Michael Neumann, an anesthesiologist, and I were fortunate to be part of the Detroit Federation’s Forman 3 Leadership Mission. The experience was life-changing. This was cer...…
…MARCH 2 • 2023 | 21 bank in the world; there are also numerous floors underground. It is protected from earthquakes, chemical and nuclear warfare, and more. Especially moving for us, we were able to give blood legally for the first time since the mid-1980s — something that is currently not an option for us in the United States although the FDC is now set to correct that deficiency. Set to open later this year is the new National Librar...…
