…MARCH 7 • 2024 | 5 J N XXXX We are so proud of you! Congratulations on getting your Masters.You are an incredible person and will go far in life. All our love, Mom, Dad, Jeff and Shayna Mazel Tov! Ad Style #4 1/8 PAGE $150 XXXXXXX You continually make us proud, keep shining your light. Mom, Dad, Brianna, Hannah, Lacey, Mazel T ov! Ad Style #3 1/16 PAGE $125 Custom Style 1/2 PAGE $485 Can include multiple images & any design!...…
…50 | MARCH 7 • 2024 J N ALL ABOUT PHIL AND COCO CHANEL STINKS Somebody Feed Phil, a Netflix documentary series, began its seventh season on March 1. The host is Phil Rosenthal, 64. He’s best known as the creator of the big hit series Everybody Loves Raymond (1996- 2005). Rosenthal oversaw the production of the show and often wrote, or co-wrote, the show’s scripts. He won three Emmys for his scripts alone. In the new season’s ei...…
…DOG OF THE WEEK Ollie! A Letter from D ear Readers, I’m Ollie. I am a very sweet, loving, calm and obedient dog! I do not chew on anything. I love going on long walks. And I adore nuzzling my head on my human’s lap to get petted. I am a bit timid around male people and I get startled very easily. Maybe I will relax over time. The only thing wrong with me is I have heartworm disease. This is usually very successful to treat. Almost H...…
…52 | MARCH 7 • 2024 J N VILLAGE PLAYERS NOW-MARCH 24 The Cemetery Club. At Birmingham Village Players, 34660 Woodward Ave., Birmingham. This touching, humorous play tells the story of three Jewish widows who accompany one another once a month to a local cemetery in Forest Hills, Queens, where their husbands are buried. When the ladies run into Sam, a butcher visiting his wife’s grave at the same cemetery, a romance is in th...…
…MARCH 7 • 2024 | 53 Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt is a writer, consultant, actress, speaker, and advocate for disability and autism representation in the entertainment industry. PURIM MITZVAH PROJECT 2-3:30 PM, MARCH 10 (SUN.) Hosted by The J’s JFamily/ JGrand and Tamarack Camps for grandparents and grandchildren. Prepare for Purim by packing, decorating and delivering mishloach manot (Purim gift packages) to our friends at Jewish Sen...…
…P arlez vous Francais? Hablas Espanol? Du redst Yiddish? Your answer to any of the above is proba- bly “no” or per- haps “a bissel.” Actually, you do know more than you think since so many English words have come to us from other languages and are now in common parlance. Yiddish is a prime example, especially since the forms of the words have not been changed since they were “adopted.” Let’s examine some. If you invested in so...…
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…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY DONNA M. BARNETT, beloved for 93 years, died Feb. 26, 2024, sur- rounded by her family. She was born Jan. 31, 1931, in Detroit to Louis and Viola Weiss, and moved to California as a young child following the tragic auto- mobile accident death of her father. Not one to have the dust settle under her, Donna married Robert Barnett and graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit after spending a ...…
…MARCH 7 • 2024 | 57 J N son, Robert Forrest; daugh- ter and son-in-law, Denise Forrest and James Robillard; grandchildren, Amanda Forrest, Noah Ramos-Forrest, Jessica Robillard, Lindsay Robillard and Ian Gleespen, and Jaclyn and Luke Miller; great-grandchildren, Ted Gleespen, and Jude and Vera Miller; loving companion, Dorothy Harwood. He was the beloved hus- band of the late Sylvia Forrest, the loving brother of the late Dr. Mar...…
…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 58 | MARCH 7 • 2024 J N Contributions may be direct- ed to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W . Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jhcn.org/donate/ tribute or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ELAINE PLOTKIN, 93, of Huntington Woods, died Feb. 25, 2024. Mrs. Plotkin is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Madelyne and Dr. Norman Markowitz; sons and daughter...…
…MARCH 7 • 2024 | 59 J N Chapel at Machpelah Cemetery. Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. DR. DONALD F. SILVER, 92, of Bingham Farms, died Feb. 25, 2024. Dr. Silver is sur- vived by his wife of 32 years, Kay Campbell; chil- dren, Steven Silver, Kenneth and Liz Silver, Charles and Jenny Silver, David and Melissa Silver, Jonathan and Kate Silver, Curt Campbell, Ken and Debbie Campbe...…
…1942 - 2024 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 | MARCH 7 • 2024 J N MARVIN L. STARMAN, MD, 87, of Ann Arbor, died Feb. 22, 2024. He is sur- vived by his adoring family: wife, Lynne Starman; children, Lori and Doug Weissman, Wendy and Larry Papier, Jeff and Helen Starman; and grandchildren, Alec and Sloane Weissman, Sarah Starman, Jacob Starman, Carli Starman, Evan Papier and Max Papier. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Justine Wexn...…
…MARCH 7 • 2024 | 61 J N MI 48334, www.mpi-mps.org/ get-involved/donate; Fisher House, 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852, www.fisherhouse. org; or Jewish Federation of Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 260, P.O. Box 2030, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303, jewishdetroit.org/send- a-tribute. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. LIYA TRAKHMAN, 73, of Henderson, Nev., passed away on Feb. 24, 2024. She was born on Feb....…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at thejewishnews.com 62 | MARCH 7 • 2024 J N A Premier Mall B efore we all shopped online, from our couches and easy chairs, the ultimate American shopping experience was the “shopping mall.” In essence, a mall is a convenient concentration of stores, to say nothing of restaurants, kiosks with a variety of trinkets, hot pretzel stands and, o...…
…SUPPORT JEWISH JOURNALISM The Detroit Jewish News has been telling and preserving our stories since 1942. Subscribe today so that we can continue telling them tomorrow. JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT SCAN TO DONATE OR SUBSCRIBE TODAY! …
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…DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com MARCH 7 • 2024 | 7 J N O F F A R M I N G T O N H I L L S LET’S CONNECT OVER A TOUR: 248-534-4702 EMBR ACING NEW OPPORTUNITIES VIBRANT LIVING There’s no need to settle for less in retirement when you can indulge in a future filled with exquisite living spaces, first-class amenities and gourmet cuisine. You’ll feel like you’r...…
…8 | MARCH 7 • 2024 J N PURELY COMMENTARY essay The Crazy, Delusional, Surreal State of Being Israelis in the Aftermath of Oct. 7 T here is no exact equivalent word in English to describe the Hebrew word hazui. A combination of crazy, surreal and delusional is the closest to convey the feeling of its meaning. This word was used in almost every conversation I have had with family, friends and other people I met in Israel rec...…
…MARCH 7 • 2024 | 9 J N a dagger to the bone. This was followed by a visit to the Gaza border where I saw through the fence some of the burned houses. It was right near the Nova festival site where there is a big memorial for the murdered victims: a huge sign by the field where trees, each with a photo of a hostage attached, were planted. My heart overflowed with sadness and anger for the horrific attack. In Israel, viewing Isra...…
…$200 Dec. 7-13, 2023 / 24 Kislev - 1 Tevet 5784 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com See page 12 …
…10 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N opinion Social Media Has Become ‘Unhinged’ I t was a slow trickle, each long press of the finger and ensuing quick tap was days and sometimes weeks apart (it’s hard to comprehend that two months have passed since Oct. 7), but I am here to tell you that I — a former social media manager — have removed each and every social media app from my phone. In fact, as I was writing this very essay, I realized...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 11 J N Regency at Troy 2685 West Maple Road | Troy, MI 48084 248-965-7900 Ciena Healthcare’s Regency at Troy Healthcare Resort for Seniors AMENITIES INCLUDE: • Restaurant-Style Dining with three main dining rooms and separate family dining spaces • Family visitation rooms with anti-viral technology • Spa • Micro Green Garden • Recreational areas and lounges with fireplaces • Outdoor Courtyard • TeleHealth/...…
…12 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N E very year, the staff at the JN is amazed by the creative and beautiful submissions we receive from local artists who share their talent during our cover art con- test. Choosing the cover art is hard! Many submissions are worthy of being on the cover. As we select, we keep in mind the aesthetic of each piece, how it will look with the other elements on our cover and the intent of the artist in making hi...…
…continued on page 14 SECOND PLACE: Joshua Rodner, age 11, Bloomfield Hills THIRD PLACE: Hannah Rodner, age 13, Bloomfield Hills AGE 10 AND UP AGES 7-9 THIRD PLACE: Tamar Gottfried, age 8, Southfield AGES 6 AND UNDER SECOND PLACE: Lainey Weisel, age 6, West Bloomfield THIRD PLACE: Eden Rosenberg, age 6, Bloomfield Hills FIRST PLACE: Noah Gitlin, age 11, Birmingham FIRST PLACE: Emma Geiringer, age 7, West Bloomfield SECON...…
…14 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 OUR COMMUNITY COVER STORY HONORABLE MENTION: Cooper Seidman, age 5, Berkley HONORABLE MENTION: Leah Gottfried, age 10, Southfield HONORABLE MENTION: Joel Barenholtz, age 7, Huntington Woods HONORABLE MENTIONS continued from page 13 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 • Collectio...…
…Let’s celebrate the light! Candy-Colored Chanukah LYNNE KONSTANTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bring in some colorful yet elegant fun to your holiday table, balanced with a bit of classic blues. ▼ Based in Chapel Hill, N.C., artist (and mom) Arielle Zorger creates colorful “hand- painted, happy art” that she transforms into usable, modern Judaica. The cotton twill Rainbow Menorahs Table Runner (top) is available in two sizes; the Rainbow Dre...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 17 To create her Chanukah Centerpiece DIY Jar Menorah, mom, blogger and crafter Menucha started with repurposed baby-food jars. For full step-by-step instructions, visit jewish.momsandcrafters.com. Part of Crate & Barrel’s Hanukkah Tablescape collection, Mercer Blue Rim Star of David Platter and Mercer Blue Rim Hanukkah Menorah Salad Plate — glazed porcelain with hand-painted icons — can be easily mixed- and-ma...…
…18 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 Ann Arbor-based Marzipops’ radiant Hanukkah Stained- Glass Dreidels marzipan confections are painted by hand using edible colors. Marzipops.com. Dig in to a Bundt cake or cheese board with the classically ornate cast and stamped brass and stainless steel Ricci Serve Set. Area Anthropologie stores. Anthropologie.com. COURTESY OF MARZIPOPS Create a true centerpiece with Nordic Ware’s nonstick cast aluminu...…
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…20 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N All the Chanukah All the Chanukah happenings happenings around town. around town. Eight Nights of Fun! OUR COMMUNITY L ook out for menorahs displayed throughout the area, bringing Chanukah cheer and warmth to the community. 1st Night Of 1st Night Of Chanukah Chanukah Thursday, Dec. 7 Thursday, Dec. 7 CAMPUS MARTIUS, DETROIT Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan Menorah in the D: In-person and live- str...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 21 J N 5th Night Of Chanukah 5th Night Of Chanukah Monday, December 11 Monday, December 11 SOUTHFIELD Lubavitch Cheder, Yeshiva and Young Israel of Southfield Menorah Lighting Parade 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Menorah Lighting at Southfield Public Library southfieldmenorah.info BIRMINGHAM Chabad of Bloomfield Hills Shain Park Menorah Lighting 5:30 p.m. Shain Park info@bhchabad.org FLINT Chabad of Eastern Michigan A...…
…22 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N M y brother-in-law asked me a surprising question: “How many different kinds of latkes do you make at Chanukah?” “Just the potato kind,” I said. “Why?” “Since you prepare eight different char- osets at Passover, I figured you’d make lots of exotic latkes, too,” he said. While Robbie meant this as a compli- ment, he caught me off guard. Since he knows I enjoy cooking and inventing rec- ipes, he set the bar high...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 23 Every day, scientists at the Weizmann Institute in Israel pursue breakthroughs in cancer research, brain and neural science, technology, education, medicine, and protecting our planet. A Charitable Gift Annuity gives you the opportunity to partner with our scientists to make remarkable discoveries possible while you receive payments for life and significant tax benefits. To start experiencing these rewards, cal...…
…24 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 large (12-inch diameter) skillet, pref- erably the no-stick variety, until but- ter sizzles but doesn’t burn. 6. Pour half a soup ladle of batter at a time into hot pan. When bubbles appear in batter and bottom surface turns golden brown, flip pancakes. Turn only once. Gradually add more milk to batter if it thickens while first batch cooks. Add more butter to pan, if needed. 7. Serve pancakes immediately. If m...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 25 T his year, more than ever, it is critical to celebrate Chanukah, and our Judaism, with added pride and confidence. As Israel and the Jewish people continue to go through a challenging time, we must take advantage of the light, festivity and Jewish pride that celebrating Chanukah provides. Bais Chabad of West Bloomfield is very excited to share all sorts of opportunities for celebration. “We hope you’ll...…
…OUR COMMUNITY H e’s known to many as Mr. Oak Park. Gerald “Jerry” Naftaly, for- mer mayor of the city where so many members of Metro Detroit’s Jewish com- munity grew up and remember it close to utopia, is so knowledgeable about the history, the people, the businesses, restaurants and shops, that he literally wrote the book. Images of America: Oak Park, with a foreword by former gover- nor James Blanchard, was published in 2012, cov...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 27 J N “I asked everyone for their top three places and memories throughout Oak Park and, in less than three weeks, I filled the 40 spaces on the board,” Naftaly says. And this year, just in time for Chanukah, he creat- ed Northland-Opoly: The Northland Mall Edition. An extension of his Northland Mall book, Northland-Opoly draws on the history of the world’s then-largest shopping center, opened in 1954. The inn...…
…28 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N O n Nov. 19, 600 Jewish women gathered at the Nancy Grosfeld Campus of the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah in Oak Park to knead and braid challah, pray, dance and sing. At a difficult time for many Jewish women impacted by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and rising antisemitism, many are seeking out the company and support of other Jewish community members. RISE Challah Bake offered that sense of community for loc...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 29 J N months before the war began and organizers already anticipated a high turnout, Indig believes the war elevated the sense of emotion that was present during RISE Challah Bake. “This is what Partners Detroit wants to do,” she says. “Bring the Jewish community together. We like to share the joy and pride of being Jewish and give people an opportunity to learn and engage in their heritage and the Torah.” ...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 3 J N PURELY COMMENTARY 4-10 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 12 Celebrating the Season Local artists bring out their best for the JN’s Chanukah art contest. 16 Candy-Colored Chanukah Let’s celebrate the light! 20 Eight Nights of Fun! All the Chanukah happenings around town. 22 A Whole Lotta Latkes 25 Chanukah Wonderland 2023 This year, the fun is spread over several days. 26 Northlan...…
…30 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 29 ongoing conflict in Israel, Partners Detroit Women’s Division, which holds events year-round, is planning to move forward with its 2024 trip to Israel. “We don’t just stand with Israel,” Bausk says. “We’re going to Israel, and we’re really excited to take women of all ages and backgrounds to Israel in May.” HONORING RYAN DEMBS The Dembs Mission to Israel, May 12-...…
…Older Adult Services Mental Health Support T ransportation Employment Housing Food Financial Assistance And So Much More Who to call when you don’t know who to call. When you call Jhelp you’ll be connected to a caring, knowledgeable professional who will guide you to the Jewish Detroit resources that can help you navigate life’s challenges and changes. Jhelp calls are answered by the Jewish Family Service (JFS) Resource Cente...…
…32 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N J udge Bernard Friedman and Stan Meretsky’s friendship means the world to them. It’s an alliance celebrating its 75th year, forged in 1948 when the two were kindergarten classmates at MacCulloch Elementary School on Wildemere and Tyler in Detroit. Their lifelong friendship was nurtured though the closeknit community they called home — the beloved old Dexter-Davison Jewish neigh- borhood. This yea...…
…DECEMBER 7 • 2023 | 33 J N CHILDHOOD ADVENTURES Kindred spirits since kinder- garten, that’s the best way to describe Bernie and Stan. For the record, it all began in Mrs. Bacon’s class at MacCulloch Elementary in 1948. They’ve been practically inseparable since then. I learned that early on Friedman and Meretsky took on major responsibilities together. “One of the most important things in our friend- ship was being worm gatherers...…
…34 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 Jewish activities in Detroit. Stan became active in Brandeis AZA and Bernie spent time at sponsored clubs at the old JCC at Meyers and Curtis. These affiliations would have profound impacts on both boys that over the years nurtured their shared love for, dedication to and eventual trips together as adults to Israel. More on that in a moment. Even as they got busy with their adult lives — college, getting m...…
…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 aspire to be like? Some...…
…36 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J N I t’s been a difficult two months, to say the least, since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. It’s been particularly challenging for Israelis living in Metro Detroit, many of whom are coping with feelings of guilt as well as concern for their loved ones and their homeland. Plus, they are witness- ing something they wouldn’t be experiencing in Israel: an unprece- dented rise in antisemitism. “My body is here,...…
