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… JANUARY 21 • 2021 | 29 Now professional colleagues as filmmakers, the two have revealed a biography in a film appropriately titled Irmi. The film is being spotlight- ed Tuesday, Jan. 26, as the last feature of the New York Jewish Film Festival, which this year is available to a wider audience because of digital presentations necessitated by the pandemic. The lineup, running Jan. 13-26, showcases 17 features and seven shorts. “I fe...…

…30 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 D eborah Dash Moore thought back through Holocaust history when she watched the storming of the United States Capitol on Jan. 6. What came to mind was the burning of the German Parliament’s Reichstag Building on Feb. 27, 1933. Knowing Jewish history is everyday for Moore, editor-in-chief of the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, not a physical library but a published collec- tion availab...…

… JANUARY 21 • 2021 | 31 PRIVATE COLLECTION. © ESTATE OF JULES LELLOUCHE. La Ghriba Djerba, Tunisia (ca. 1944) by Jules Lellouche. more than what was under- stood to be religious culture. He thought of it as a very diverse, imaginative culture and believed putting reli- gious restrictions around it narrowed it and excluded all kinds of wonderful materials.” Going beyond historical text, different literary genres are included — cultura...…

…32 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 A fter decades making movies star- ring characters — often women — bristling against social strictures and navigating romance in ways that tended to surprise even themselves, Jewish film- maker Joan Micklin Silver has died at 85. Silver, who died Dec. 31, 2020, was best- known for 1988’s Crossing Delancey, a sur- prise hit. The film finds Isabelle Grossman (Amy Irving), a 30-something Manhattan bookseller, naviga...…

… JANUARY 21 • 2021 | 33 SEGEL; LEBOWITZ; SEX AND THE CITY REBOOT Our Friend, a “tearjerker” dramatic film, opens in a few theaters Jan. 22 and is also available that day on video-on-demand. It is based on a 2015 Esquire article in which Matthew Teague detailed the death of his wife, Nicole, from ovarian cancer. The couple’s best friend, Dane, upended his life and stayed with them for months, assisting with everything, including ...…

…34 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 THEATRE PRODUCTION THROUGH JAN. 29 The Nicely Theatre Group presents what hap- pens after happily ever after. Disenchanted! revisits familiar princess charac- ters to get their side of the story. Tickets are $15 per household for the 65-minute musical production. You can watch it whenever you'd like and as often as you like during the run since it is not a ZOOM-style produc- tion. Rather, it was filmed by in...…

…media and popular culture with moderator Jaemi Loeb, senior director of Cultural Arts at the JCC. To see where Jews are and aren't in British film, check out these: Babylon: an incendi- ary portrait of racial tension and police brutality set in Brixton, London; Dough: The owner of a struggling Jewish bakery hires Muslim African immigrant teenager Ayyash Habimana to work in the shop. Tickets: $5 per person per film. Info: filmfest...…

…36 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 M ost of us are invol- untary homebodies these days because of the pandemic lockdown. For nutrition, we might rely on carryouts and deliveries from restaurants or devise meals of our own, of varying quality. At this point, many house- holds might welcome a healthy and convenient new option. One just starting to roll out to the public is “Fresh n ready by Chef Cari.” The all-natural, glu- ten-free and fresh...…

…HEALTHCARE G&F Professional Services- Compassionate, affordable, responsible and efficient homecare. Call Georgiana (248) 571-1837 (www. gfprofessionalservices.com) A1 CAREGIVER/COMPANION. Experienced, excellent references. 248-991-4944 Seeking reliable female caregiver for mother. Experienced with Alzheimer's and Severe Medical Needs. please call (313) 670-0438 Exp. private duty caregiver for 27 yrs would love to care for your ...…

…38 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 SOUL OF BLESSED MEMORY JOANNE ARONOFF, 81, of Farmington Hills, died Jan. 6, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Larry Aronoff; children, Marc Aronoff, Jacqui Aronoff and Michael Kinsella, April Aronoff and Bruce Gerstman, and Nance Aronoff and Kari Spaeth; grandchildren, Alexander Kinsella, Emily Kinsella, Dominique Hall, Leo Chiasson-Aronoff, Hugo Gerstman and Nathaniel Gerstman. She...…

… JANUARY 21 • 2021 | 39 His daughter remembers him as a fierce supporter of Jews and Israel. SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Hero of Israel’s Founding Dies at 96 A aron Friedman, a founding hero of the State of Israel, died Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 96 in the Los Angeles area, where he lived for many years. Friedman helped to smuggle Jewish refugees from Europe to Palestine during the British mandate when immigration wa...…

…40 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 of the late Alexander Ashendorf, who also died during the Holocaust. Contributions may be made to Friendship Circle, 6892 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; or to a Jewish charity of one’s choice. A family graveside service was held at Workmen’s Circle Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. NANCY MAGID GLANZ- MILLER, 89, of Hallandale Beach and Deerfield Beach, Fla., formerly of Wind...…

… JANUARY 21 • 2021 | 41 SANDRA KOPELMAN, 69, of Franklin, died Jan. 10, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 48½ years, Jeffrey Kopelman; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Aaron Fenberg; grandchildren, Luke and Justin Fenberg; sisters and brothers-in-law, Arline and Allan Rein, and Rhea and Richard Sweet; brother-in-law, Michael Kopelman. She was also loved and adored by her canine companions, Brooklyn and Yogi. Mrs. Ko...…

…42 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 SOUL OF BLESSED MEMORY Samantha; sisters and brothers-in-law, Georgia and Chuck Robertson, Rhonda and Mike Matlack, Martha and Paul Lee; brothers and sisters-in-law, Victor and Jody Commons, Raymond and Catherine Commons; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Interment took place at Beth El Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Soc...…

… JANUARY 21 • 2021 | 43 Contributions may be made to Jewish Family Service, 6555 W . Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322. A family graveside service was held at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. GEORGE H. SIMMONS, 95, of Bloomfield Township, died Jan. 10, 2021. He is survived by his sons and daughters- in-law, Mark and Ellen Simmons, and Michael Simmons and Stacey Dobrusi...…

…44 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 SOUL OF BLESSED MEMORY SONJA SZAKAL, 67, of Southfield, died Jan. 6, 2021. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Gabriel and Jenny Szakal, and Jason Szakal and Danielle Cook; other loving relatives and friends. Mrs. Szakal was the beloved wife of the late Robert Szakal; the devoted daughter of the late Irene and the late Arthur Snitchler, and the late Alexander Mann. Contributions may be ...…

… JANUARY 21 • 2021 | 45 F olks used to love going to Cedars of Lebanon Lounge on Columbia, Detroit … Customers will never for- get the potpourri of Middle East food that was so exotic … as well as the wonderful native dancing that brought many stomping feet. The food brought out always tickled the tongue with an odor of pleasing excellence … Like the hum- mus with tahini …a dish that consisted of mashed chick- peas and sesame seed b...…

…46 | JANUARY 21 • 2021 Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org Justice for Louis Gross T wo weeks ago, I had a very inter- esting conversation with Judge Avern Cohn. To be sure, a chat with Judge Cohn is always interesting. This time, he told me a story that led me into the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit history for this week’s “Looking...…

…JANUARY 27-31, 2021 jewishclimatefest.org Hazon is honored to be a lead sponsor of The Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest, making climate change a central moral issue of the Jewish community. Come learn with us and and explore over 100 free online events! Come learn with us and and explore over 100 free online events! Not in My Backyard: How Detroit Has Fought Back Thursday, 1/28 4 - 5:00pm ET Sound System: Greening the Music Business ...…

…Managed by: Proud Recipient of the Prestigious Ask Us Why! INNOVATIVE. ENGAGING. ENLIVENING. TOTALLY CAPTIVATING. LEARN MORE AT ALLSEASONSLIVING.COM Ann Arbor - NOW OPEN | Birmingham | Rochester Hills | West Bloomfield For the Joys of Independent Senior Living We have adopted new standard of care in our daily operations by implementing COVID- specific initiatives for our residents’ well-being including: Ÿ Contact-free “EasyMove” progra...…

…The 2020 Census Is Here. Respond Now! FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO www.mivoicecounts.org thejewishnews.com $200 May 21-27, 2020 / 27 Iyar-4 Sivan 5780 See page 12 INSIDE Virtual Synagogues: 18 ADL Report: 20 Jewish Sports News: 28 The Ex-Nazi Next Door Detroiter Jeff Schoep ran America’ s largest neo-Nazi group for 25 years before leaving in 2019. How should Jews feel about his reformation? …

…Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Here for Michigan. Now more than ever. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we’re committed to caring for Michigan and everyone who calls it home. For our members, it’s a commitment to provide you with the ability to see a doctor from your home, and the option to speak to a nur...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 3 OUR JN MISSION: We aspire to communicate news and opinion that’ s trusted, valued, engaging and distinctive. We strive to reflect diverse community viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. As an independent, responsible, responsive community member, we actively engage with individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, and Jewish life, in Southeast ...…

…Hechtman II Apartments & Meer Apartments Fleischman Residence/ Blumberg Plaza and Brown Memory Care Pavilion Tracey Proghovnick 248-661-1836 TTY# 711 or tproghovnick@jslmi.org or visit jslmi.org People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome Eugene and Marcia Applebaum, Jewish Community Campus …

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 5 Views Jewfro Books of the People A fter decades of declining sales, as newspapers and printed documents lost out in the digital age, many man- ufacturers converted to making tissue products, like toilet paper and wipes. ” Reading that in the New York Times on my phone in an undisclosed location made me flush. With confusion. Another moment of disori- entation and disruption courtesy of an invisible contagion ...…

…6 | MAY 21 • 2020 I wrote this week’ s cover story, and it’ s a long one, so I won’ t take too much of your time here. But I do want to explain why we put a for- mer neo-Nazi on the cover of the Jewish News. I first heard of Jeff Schoep earlier this year, as he was begin- ning his anti-hate outreach. I was intrigued by his former prominence within the neo-Nazi movement and also by the fact that he lives in Detroit. The timing...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 7 CORRECTION The column “Pizza! Pizza!” (May 7, pg. 45) incorrectly stated that Ilitch Holdings Inc. CEO Chris Ilitch was a Detroit Jewish News Athlete of the Year as a high school hockey player. In fact, Ilitch, who is not Jewish, was selected as the Alvin Foon Humanitarian Award recipient at the 2019 Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame ceremony. Memories of Kaline I enjoyed Alan Muskovitz’ s column regarding Al Kalin...…

…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 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., #110, Southfield, MI 48034. 8 | MAY 21 • 2020 1942 - 2020...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 9 Jews in the D Keeping Seniors Connected JVS, Jewish Senior Life continue work with dementia patients over Zoom. P rior to the spread of COVID-19 and state- wide stay–at–home order, seniors with dementia in Metro Detroit received in-person services through a partnership between JVS Human Services and Jewish Senior Life. Those programs focused on interacting with others and making face-to-face connections: cruc...…

…10 | MAY 21 • 2020 The Ex-Nazi Next Door Detroiter Jeff Schoep ran America’ s largest neo-Nazi group for 25 years before leaving in 2019. How should Jews feel about his reformation? ANDREW LAPIN EDITOR Jeff Schoep, former commander of the National Socialist Movement, now says the hate group functioned like a “cult.” JEWISH NEWS …

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 11 I n summer 2019, Rick Eaton heard something shocking. One of the most prominent neo-Nazis in the U.S. was leaving the movement. As co-director of the digital terrorism project at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Los Angeles- based Jewish human rights organization which tracks hate group activity, Eaton interacts with his fair share of white supremacists. And he was very familiar with the National Socialist Movement (N...…

…12 | MAY 21 • 2020 continued from page 11 said Schoep’ s mother, an attorney, had once lost a judgeship appointment after links to her son were made public. Even this wasn’ t enough, at first, to dissuade her son from his cause. In 2007, Schoep moved from Minnesota to Detroit, taking the NSM headquarters with him and incorporating the group in the state of Michigan. Detroit’ s dramatic economic downturn, he reasoned, would make for fe...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 13 school, she said, one of her biggest mentors had been a Black dean; she even named her son after him. None of that stopped Dietz from joining the NSM. Thanks to Schoep’ s rebranding, she didn’ t know about its Nazi ties. She only knew it as a civil rights group for white people, and, she tells the JN, that was enough for her. She was initially motivated to join by her anger at the left for what she believed was...…

…14 | MAY 21 • 2020 continued from page 13 All three made their journeys at least in part aided by Orthodox Jews they had befriended while still in hate move- ments. Since other formers have found media attention and speaking engagements from their own high-profile exits, some observers have questioned whether Schoep’ s trans- formation is sincere. A recent New York Times article cast doubt on his journey, emphasizing the relative quickn...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 15 If you need help during this challenging time, please contact JFS at 248.592.2313 or resourcecenter@jfsdetroit.org. Elaine is a single mom of two girls who works as a pharmacy tech. When the COVID pandemic led to the schools closing and the stay-at-home order, she knew she would be unable to continue working. While she does receive unemployment, it’s not enough to cover her mortgage, monthly bills and her older d...…

…16 | MAY 21 • 2020 A licia Chandler and Lesley Miles met as teens at BBYO. Alicia went to North Farmington High School and Lesley went to Berkley. After graduation, they each went their separate ways. Little did they know back then how their paths would cross again 20 years down the road when they connected again on Facebook, shar- ing items about their busy lives. Alicia was married to Jeff Chandler and raising two children, 11-...…

…CLOCKWISE: Lawn signs celebrate the happy couple; Carol and Martin wave to their parade; the Lowenbergs’ 1960 wedding photo; one of the parade “floats.” MAY 21 • 2020 | 17 W ith smiles and waves, honking horns and shouts of “Mazel Tov,” dozens of family members and friends, congregants from Young Israel of Southfield and even total strangers helped Holocaust survivor Martin Lowenberg, 92, and his wife, Carol, 87, celebrate their 60t...…

…Jews in the D 18 | MAY 21 • 2020 W hile synagogues and temples are physically closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are reaching out to their members in new ways. Live-streamed Shabbat services, classes and minyanim are common, and some congregations are offering children’ s lullabies, a virtual women’ s retreat, cooking classes and Trivial Pursuit through Zoom or social media. Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park offers a s...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 19 household items as paper goods and cleaning supplies. That led the temple to contact several members whose businesses could provide these items, which they agreed to provide at cost. A letter was then sent to members offering these household necessities through curbside pickup at the temple. According to Mesa, each day they receive requests from a small number of people who then pick up the supplies. In a f...…

…20 | MAY 21 • 2020 Double the Hate? Michigan anti-Semitic incidents doubled in 2019, ADL audit says. MAYA GOLDMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jews in the D A nti-Semitic acts in Michigan dou- bled from 2018 to 2019, up to 42 incidents from 21 incidents two years ago, according to the Anti-Defamation League’ s 2019 audit. ADL Michigan Director Carolyn Normandin told the Jewish News that as far as she knows, this is the highest year on reco...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 21 C amp Walden in Cheboygan, Michigan, will delay its possible start date until at least mid-July, according to an email sent to camper parents May 14. The email, sent by Camp Walden owners Scott Ruthart and Liz Stevens, says even if the state of Michigan allows summer camps to run at some point this year, Camp Walden may still not open. It will depend on the conditions the state puts forth for opening camps. ...…

…22 | MAY 21 • 2020 Jews in the D Quarantine Matchmaker: Adat Shalom Alumni Reunite to Remember a Hebrew “Fiddler” W e came to be together after decades of separation: from the four corners of the United States, from Canada. We came all the way from Israel, despite the shelter-in-place orders. This was not for Holocaust survivors. This was a Zoom reunion of performers and crew gathering to recall our all- Hebrew production of F...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 23 Jews in the D Blue Mask Initiative University of Michigan students raise money for masks for front line workers. A group of University of Michigan students are raising money to provide KN95 masks to nurs- ing home staff and healthcare providers in Detroit through a project called the Blue Mask Initiative. Blue Mask Initiative, start- ed in early May by University of Michigan students Adhavan Arivalagan and A...…

…24 | MAY 21 • 2020 J oel Marwil, 73, of Farmington is the recipient of the 2019 B’ nai B’ rith International (BBI) President’ s Award for his efforts in distrib- uting the win- ning books from the Diverse Minds Writing Challenge to Detroit-area preschools and elementary schools. The organization has been champion- ing human rights since its inception in 1843. The national BBI Diverse Minds Writing Challenge com- petition asks h...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 25 The witnessing of an injustice in 1957 and the righting of a wrong in 1964 are moments in time that Joel says “stayed with me the rest of my life.” TEACHING LITERACY A 1965 graduate from Mumford High School, Joel went on to receive his teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University (1970) and a master’ s degree in reading from Oakland University (1978). He has spent the last 50 years teach- ing children and ...…

…26 | MAY 21 • 2020 LEFT: Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris (left) answers a question while broadcaster George Blaha and emcee Jeremy Schaap listen during the sports panel at last year’ s Hank Greenberg Memorial Golf and Tennis Invitational. CENTER: Evan Chudnow (left),Karen Gordon and Joe Bernstein from Temple Kol Ami/Congregation B’ nai Israel team up to retire baserunner Joey Lebovic from Adat Shalom Synagogue at third base during...…

… MAY 21 • 2020 | 27 g Adat Barry Brodsky’ s quest for a four-peat will have to wait a year. The Birmingham Marian High School girls soccer coach has guided his team to three straight Division 2 state champi- onships. The Mustangs’ hopes for a fourth consecutive state title were wiped out in March when the Michigan High School Athletic Association canceled spring sports because of the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pand...…

…B urt Hurshe ended his decades-long career as a high school sports official this spring. It wasn’ t the swan song he wanted. The cancellation of high school spring sports across the state because of the COVID-19 pan- demic meant Hurshe couldn’ t be an umpire at a few dozen base- ball and softball games. And he didn’ t get to be hon- ored for 50 years of officiating by the Michigan High School Athletic Association at an annual banque...…

…Circle of Mitzvah Fun Celebrating Lag b’ Omer outside, from inside. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER W ith the will of getting out and celebrating the holiday of Lag b’ Omer, local families found a way to enjoy a socially distanced, three-part obser- vance, highlighted by before, during and after participation. Days prior to the May 12 event, decorations, including window mark- ers, posters, balloons and streamers, were de...…

…30 | MAY 21 • 2020 Moments Caplan-Bernard T he parents of Stacie Caplan and Joshua Bernard are thrilled to announce that these new- lyweds were married at Knollwood Country Club last summer. The bride is the daughter of Belle Caplan and Jay Caplan of Toronto, Canada, and the granddaughter of the late Ben and the late Estelle Pollack, the late Pearl and the late Jlius Caplan. The groom is the son of Hadas and Dennis Bernard of Birm...…