…THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Ex-Soviet state is both Shi’a Muslim and friendly to Israel. See page 14. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan A Visit to thejewishnews.com Dec. 8-14, 2022 / 14-20 Kislev 5783 …
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…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-12 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 14 A Visit to Azerbaijan Ex-Soviet state is both Shi’a Muslim and friendly to Israel. 18 Ethnic Intimidation Man accused of hurling antisemitic and racist epithets at people in Temple Beth El parking lot is in police custody. 22 A Life in Service Jewish Senior Life adds Janet Antin to the marketing team. 22 Historic ...…
…4 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 essay The Future Is Now T he year 2023 is just days away and I’m sorry, but no matter how hard I try to wrap my brain around that number, I can’t come to terms with it. Stare at it. 2023. Say it out loud. 2023. Now say it slowly … tweeeenty tweeeeeenty threeeeeeee. It’s crazy. That’s the number of a year better suited for, oh say, a futuristic work of science fiction, right? I mean, that had to be the mind...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 5 $7 per person Register by December 14 at www.cbahm.org/event/hanukkah2022 Hanukkah Celebration December 20 @ 6:00pm Menorah lighting, Dinner, Circus performers 5075 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248-851-6880 ● www.cbahm.org Instagram and Facebook @CongregationBethAhm …
…6 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 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 offices. Postmaster: send changes to: De...…
…DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com Legacy of a Leader William “Bill” Davidson (1922-2009) A lifelong entrepreneur and philanthropist, Bill Davidson achieved tremendous success in international manufacturing and the sports and entertainment industries. Mr. Davidson established the William Davidson Foundation to continue his commitment to transformative ideas, ...…
…8 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 essay Bringing Chanukah into Our Homes T he mail arrives just as my kids get home from school, and they’ve already eyed the magazine they’ve been waiting for: The Amazon Gift Guide. Each child runs to the crafts drawer to find their own color marker, armed and ready to circle every item they want for Chanukah. Within 45 min- utes, the maga- zine is returned to me, edited and primed for me to buy (at lea...…
…A special group of seven volunteer judges will be reviewing submissions and choosing the 36 winners. Honorees will receive free three-year subscriptions to the JN and be featured in a February 2023 issue. GO ONLINE TO THEJEWISHNEWS.COM AND NOMINATE THEM BY DECEMBER 12, 2022 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...…
…10 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 essay Feelings and Thoughts on a Day of Terror T his wasn’t a day we ever dreamed of … even in our worst nightmares. On the morning of Nov. 23, our 18-year-old daughter Naomi walked to her regular Jerusalem bus stop to commute to her national service job in Beit Shemesh. As she approached the stop, a Palestinian terrorist detonated a bomb packed with nails and other shrapnel. One of the pieces flew...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 11 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. The event is free and space is limited. Please register early. Ody Norkin, VP at Michigan Flyer LLC; Ethan ...…
…12 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 at a celebratory dinner. I’m grateful I’m celebrating instead of mourning. My family was astounded by the kindness of the Jewish people. The nurses, doctors, family, friends and strangers all called, reached out and supported us during this horrible time. Many people see headlines about terror attacks in Israel and assume Israel isn’t a safe place. Israel is a safe country. Yes, the headlines are scary, b...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 13 Lifetime dental group is a locally owned dental practice providing complete dental care for the entire family. Our experienced dentists utilize the most advanced technology to provide elite dental care. For over 25 years we have been entrusted by thousands of patients and we are honored to now serve the city of West Bloomfield! (248) 855-8000 4320 Orchard Lake Rd West Bloomfield Township, MI 48323 www.lifeti...…
…14 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY ON THE COVER A Visit to Azerbaijan Ex-Soviet state is both Shi’a Muslim and friendly to Israel. Grave of National Hero of Azerbaijan, Albert Agarunov, Martyr’s Lane in Baku Red Village, Quba District Six Dome Synagogue, Red Village PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN BROTMAN …
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 15 continued on page 16 T his past month, I had the privilege of joining a delegation of Canadian journalists on a trip to Azerbaijan, a 95% Muslim (mostly Shi’a), former Soviet Republic that gained independence in 1991. Like Israel, it is located in a volatile region, sandwiched between Christian Armenia and Russia, and Muslim Turkey and Iran. By 1901, Azerbaijan was producing half of the world’s oil and th...…
…16 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 and teach Hebrew, Jewish studies and Jewish history as part of the national curriculum. The principal of one school told us that 30% of his pupils are dual Israeli citizens, the children of Azerbaijanis who made aliyah to Israel and moved back. In contrast to many other parts of the former Soviet Union, one leader of the Ashkenazi community recalled, “I did not have to hide my [Jewish] nationality, but was al...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 17 is the only mono-ethnic Jewish settlement outside Israel and was established in 1730 when a local ruler established a village under his protection, where Jews fleeing persecution in Dagestan and Persia found sanctuary. By the late-1800s, Red Village was home to 8,000 of the region’s 31,000 Mountain Jews. When Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union, 12 of Red Village’s 13 working synagogues closed and wer...…
…18 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 A man who drove into the Temple Beth El Parking lot in Bloomfield Township during preschool drop off time on the morning of Friday, Dec. 2, allegedly spewing anti-Israel rhetoric and anti- Jewish and racist language toward parents, caregivers and preschoolers as well as African American security guards is now in the custody of the Oakland County Jail pending arraignment. In a statement released Dec. 4,...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 19 deal of criticism that had percolated in the community on social media after watching Chokr’s Instagram recording of the seemingly casual nature of the behavior of the officers at the traffic stop, including officers letting him not show his identification, commenting on his landscape business bumper sticker, and one officer responding to Chokr’s wanting to give the officer a fist bump, and releasing him ...…
…20 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY no concealed permit license and Chokr, for undisclosed reasons, cannot obtain a firearm for purchase. In a blatant move to show how “his rights were taken away,” Chokr, in an Instagram post he filmed later that day, seemed to be leaving a gun shop in Dearborn, saying that he had been declined from purchasing a gun. The officer added that another image from Chokr’s Instagram account of a gu...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 21 November was a busy month for Michigan’s ADL office, which fielded com- plaints of 17 incidents in the first 20 days of the month. Many of the incidents involved verbal harassment and, therefore, police were not involved. Normandin said the inci- dent is a learning oppor- tunity for police and law enforcement to understand the severity of the fear many in the Jewish community are experiencing as antisemitic ...…
…22 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 T he first-ever Senate resolution recognizing the contributions of the Israeli-American community was introduced Nov. 17 by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Senate Caucus on Black- Jewish Relations. The Rosen- Scott resolution also condemns national-origin discrimination against Israeli- Americans, and rising antisemitism targeting Jews and Israeli-America...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 23 With the rise of antisemitism and national-origin discrimination against Israeli- Americans, now is the time for leaders to stand up with a voice of moral clarity.” While honoring Israeli- Americans, Scott and Rosen also condemned incidents of antisemitism with assaults and bullying targeting American Jews and Israeli-Americans, especially younger people in grade schools and on college campuses. The resoluti...…
…OUR COMMUNITY R epair the World announced its new cohort of fellows in October. These community- based young adult leaders spend two years across the country connecting to their Jewish values through action and learning. They deepen their service journeys while recruiting peers to serve and supporting local nonprofits to fulfill their missions. Along with their service, the fellows explore the intersection of social, racial and econom...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 25 N orah and Emily Miller, 14, of Birmingham have both been nom- inated as Volunteer of the Week by the Michigan-based nonprofit JARC. “Norah and Emily started volunteering with JARC through our partnership with Hillel, ” Jenny Kabert, JARC’s director of philanthropy explains. “We’re so glad to have Norah’s and Emily’s involvement with JARC. The friendships they have formed with the people we serve are so special...…
…26 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 The 14th annual Trade Secrets event, raising funds for “Women to Work, ” a Gesher Human Services program to empower Metro Detroit women seeking employment, as well as other services provided to women and families, was held Nov. 10 at the Detroit Marriott Troy. More than 200 people attended with over $229,000 raised for the programs and services that have been assisting women and families since the 1980s. ...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 27 Friendsgiving week traditions have become a staple of Farber’s elementary students’ experi- ence during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Friendsgiving at Farber has become an opportunity to work with our students on friend- ship-building skills and appreciating our peers. Initially, we held a Friendsgiving Day Turkey Trot along with activities such as using paper feathers to describe how one would s...…
…28 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 A dam Fox-Long picked up his mother’s cam- era as a child, and shortly after found an old cam- era of his dad’s — a Pentax ME Super — and he hasn’t looked back since. He can’t remem- ber a time when photography and cinematography were not among his passions. Fox-Long, 25, a Ypsilanti resident, now produc- es promotional spots for Detroit Public Television. After he graduated from East Lansing High School ...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 29 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 signifcant tax benefts. W E I Z M A N N U S A . O R G To start exp...…
…Michael Poris, princi- pal of McIntosh Poris Associates, is the 2022 recipient of the Charles Blessing Award, presented by the Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In an official statement about the award, AIA Detroit said, “Michael Poris, AIA, has been working to imple- ment change in his hometown of Detroit for 27 years. Under his design lead- ership, McIntosh Poris Associates has been transforming communities t...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 31 Detroit but also as far south as Monroe, west to Howell and north to Marlette. They buy “excess waste” from their customers, who include manufacturers, aerospace and mining companies as well as a few local steel and aluminum mills, as well as individual customers. “Everything is bought on a weight basis,” Foon says. Last year Admiral Metals recycled almost 50 million pounds of scrap. They recycle a wide r...…
…32 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 I t seems like the rest of the world has already forgotten about us. ” This is something that several Ukrainians told businessman Ethan Gross when he recently visited the country. About nine months into the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, media reports that individual donations are declining. But after Gross saw the effects of the war first- hand, he knows that Ukrainians are still — more than ever — in...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 33 Rabbi Mende Wolff, baby Tuvia and Ethan Gross at the Mishpacha Orphanage in Berlin. Chabad of Odessa synagogue to hundreds of families. The organization works closely with more than 150 Chabad rabbis across Ukraine to help individuals and families in crises and provide hot meals, food packages and medicine to about 35,000 men, women and children each month. “Seeing it on the news is different from being there ...…
…34 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 Israel-based Diamonds Direct partnered with local charity New Day Foundation during their Grand Opening weekend at their showcase in Troy earlier this fall and donated a portion of sales from the opening to the foundation. Additionally, Diamonds Direct also sponsored the raffle at New Day Foundation’s Celebrity Lip Sync Battle in late October. The generosity and combined efforts resulted in a donation of...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 35 A lex Lewis had an outstanding career for the Birmingham Seaholm High School boys tennis team. He won two state championships. He went 71-13 in three seasons in the Maples’ lineup. But those numbers don’t tell the entire story. “I don’t think there’s ever been a player like Alex in our program’s history,” said Seaholm coach Nick Shaheen, who has been the Maples’ coach since 2018 after two years as an assi...…
…36 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 Birmingham Groves’ Jake Rosenwasser and Dylan Wolf 6-3, 6-4 on Oct. 15 in Midland in the state championship match. It was the fourth time the crosstown rivals played during the season, and the fourth time Lewis and Chutkow won. The Seaholm duo beat the Groves duo 6-4, 6-2 and 7-5, 7-5 in dual matches between the Maples and Falcons during the regular season and 6-3, 6-0 in the regional title match at Grove...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 37 GIFT GUIDE Give Great Gifts LYNNE KONSTANTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Something awesome for everyone on your Chanukah list. for Her Wrap her up in Apparis’ plant-based faux fur IMANI COAT in Lolly Pink — it opens to reveal a stunning magical dreamcoat lining. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield. Shopguysngals.com. ▼ Simple and sophisticated, the MARE HANDLE CLUTCH in cognac has an easy handle to slip her hand thro...…
…38 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 GIFT GUIDE for Her ▼ Inspired by vintage Fair Isle styles, Tuckernuck’s PASTEL COLORBLOCK SWEATER is sweetened with bishop sleeves. Tnuck.com. Rimmed in glittering gold, the light-refracting hand-blown and-painted ZAZA LUSTERED FLUTES (set of 4) adds sparkle to your l’Chaim. Anthropologie, Birmingham. Anthropologie.com. ▼ Each hand-hewn GILDED BLUE AGATE COASTER (sold individually) can be mixed-a...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 39 More Great Gifts Everything about Delight Patisserie’s HAPPY HANUKKAH COOKIE BOX is adorably scrumptious, from the buttery shortbread holiday message to the de-light-ful packaging. Delightpatisserie.com. Searing blue plush COCO MITTENS flip open for easy access to fingers. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield. Shopguysngals.com. Almost as sweet as sufganiyot: the DONUT WORRY CANDLE relaxes with the scents of strawberry...…
…40 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 GIFT GUIDE for Him Give Great Gifts Snuggle him up (or with him) in Barefoot Dreams’ CozyChic CHECKERED BLANKET — reversible and effortlessly cool. Zieben Mare, Franklin. Ziebenmare.com. Shinola Detroit’s ORGANIZED TRAVELER KIT leaves no toiletry behind, with two zip compartments (one removable). It also features a water-resistant lining, Vachetta leather trim — and a hanging hook to let you see everyt...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 41 “May the Lord Bless You and Protect You”: Chicago-based Marla Studios’ sterling silver BLESSING NECKLACE has raised Hebrew lettering on one side and stamped English on the other. Marlastudio.com. The acrylic platter of U-turn Audio’s ORBIT PLUS TURNTABLE doesn’t just sit there looking pretty — although it does a good job of that: It provides improved speed consistency and more detailed playback. Did we ment...…
…42 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 GIFT GUIDE for Him More Great Gifts Root for the home team during game night with lucite SPARTAN OR WOLVERINE CHECKER BOARDS. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield. Shopguysngals.com. The Mandate of Good Man Brand — co-owned by Ciara and Russell Wilson — is to give back to the people while having a low impact on the planet. Their supple suede TOPSTITCH BELT is made from leather products that support responsible m...…
…1129 E Long Lake Rd, Troy Michigan 48085 (248) 817-2980 | www.mcveespubandgrub.com Monday & Tuesday: 11am – 10pm Wednesday-Saturday: 11am – 11pm | Sunday: 12am – 9pm Now booking ALL Holiday Parties, Birthday Parties, Anniversaries! Book your New Years eve party today! After 36 years in Southfield, Mcvee’ s is now open at our new location in Troy …
…44 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 GIFT GUIDE for Kids Give Great Gifts Farm Steady’s JELLY DOUGHNUT MAKING KIT ($30.95) has everything you need for this perfect sub for sufganiyot. Rail & Anchor, Royal Oak. Railandanchor.com. Happy feet: Plush fleece “SMILE, LOVE” SLIPPERS. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield. Shopguysngals.com. Anthropologie’s semi- precious BEADED STRETCH BRACELET includes delicious hues of jade, howlite, crystal, turquoise...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 45 Give Great Gifts Smile away the winter chill: SMILE HAT. Perfect Trading Co., Bloomfield Hills. Perfecttradingco.com. Perfect for visits to Bubbie’s: FUZZY SMILE TOTE. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield. Shopguysngals.com. DETROIT SMILEY TEE. Caruso Caruso, Birmingham. Carusocaruso.com. What’s for breakfast the first morning of Chanukah? Dash’s DREIDEL MINI WAFFLE MAKER makes them perfect every time. Target.com....…
…46 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 GIFT GUIDE C ouncil Re|Sale (3297 W . 12 Mile Road, Berkley) one of the oldest resale shops in Metro Detroit, is holding special sales throughout December to help Metro Detroiters look their best for the season while stretching their holiday budgets. From Dec. 8-10, Holiday Shopping Days will offer 40% off the entire store, providing a perfect time to shop for gifts; Dec. 17 is Surprise Bag Sale where sho...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 47 …
…M any of us bemoan the number of things we own, some of which we rarely use. Maybe they don’t suit our current taste or lifestyle — whatever the reason, many of us wish we had fewer pos- sessions. Chances are some of your friends and relatives agree. So as Chanukah approach- es, why not consider giving a gift that provides an expe- rience such as a personal service or educational or charitable opportunity? Here are some suggesti...…
…DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 49 GOING OUT OF TOWN? Offers Forwarding and Hold Services! While USPS will forward your general mail quickly, periodicals and newspapers sometimes take 60 days for forwarding. Avoid service disruption by updating your information with The Detroit Jewish News as soon as possible. Requests can be submitted anytime in advance up to a week prior of publish date. Requests submitted past then will be processed for the ...…
…50 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 Y evgeniya Gazman, founder and creator of YGazmArt, fills each aspect of her life with intentionality. You can find her at her favorite hometown Farmington haunts: practicing a vinyasa flow at Bodhi Yoga, sipping on a latte at Apothecary Espresso and Coffee, or collaborating with other creatives at Skep Space, a new artist incubator, where she was commissioned to paint the entrance door with one of her signa...…
