…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 41 God to do ours? What really happens when we pray? Prayer has two dimensions, one mysterious, the other not. There are simply too many cases of prayers being answered for us to deny that it makes a difference to our fate. It does. I once heard the following story. A man in a Nazi concentration camp knew he was losing the will to live — and in the death camps, if you lost the will to live, you died. That nigh...…
…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...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 43 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 Farmingto...…
…44 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 G rowing up in Birmingham, Joel Paul Reisig celebrated both Chanukah and Christmas with his family, making him perfectly qualified to be an equal- opportunity movie producer. On Dec. 4, Reisig’s latest film, Christmas at the Holly Hotel, will have its world premiere at two red-carpet screenings at the Redford Theatre. With more than 2,000 tickets sold, Reisig says that it’s the largest film premiere...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 45 seeing a Chanukah movie on the Lifetime or Hallmark channel, is it’s always trying to teach you about Chanukah as if you’ve never heard of it, or it has over-the-top Jewish jokes. I just want to make a normal movie where the people just happen to be Jewish. And I’m looking for investors.” STANDUP KIND OF GUY With a dual major in business and English from Hope College in Michigan, Reisig didn’t have a set c...…
…46 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 ARTS&LIFE ON THE COVER Filming took place in January 2022 over five days at the Holly Hotel — three during a full shutdown and two days while the hotel was open to the public. Holly Hotel kitchen and waitstaff were extras in the film along with local actors. Reisig even used George and Chrissy Kutlenios’ names for the Holly Hotel owners featured in the script. “George and Chrissy’s entire staff was very ...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 47 Joel Paul Reisig and his parents, Martin and Julia Reisig, at their Birmingham home. everyone else. We can see something and put a unique twist on it.” At 27, he went on a Birthright trip to Israel. In 2014, he took a trip to Peru and hiked the Andes Mountains to Machu Picchu. “I took notes the entire time, and when I came home, I wrote — and finished — my first true adventure story, all through the len...…
…48 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 Details The 45th Annual Potters Market runs Dec. 1-4 at the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen. Preview Night, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, ($10 admission); 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, (free admission); 10 a.m. -7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, (free admission); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, (free admission). For more informa- tion, email annualpottersmarket@gmail.com or visit www.thepottersmarket.com. H undreds o...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 49 Pearlman, on the board of the National Council of Jewish Women and a member of Adat Shalom Synagogue, keeps a small statue she made by copying a picture that reminds her of her late husband. That piece stays on the mantel in her living room. Weinbaum had been asked to join the Potters Market by the late Charlie Blosser, who taught at OCC and was married to Bridget Blosser, the woman who subsequently accepted res...…
…50 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 S even years ago, Hamilton exploded onto the off-Broadway stage at the Public Theater with an unprecedented take on the people whose vision laid the groundwork for a free and democratic nation. Later that year, the exceptionally successful production moved to Broadway, sweeping the Tony Awards and becoming the most coveted ticket on the street. And the rest, they say, is history, a chronicle of the past ...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 51 PHOTO: JEREMY DANIEL MARCH 28 - APRIL 2 FISHER THEATRE BroadwayInDetroit.com • Box Office Groups (10+) BroadwayInDetroitGroups@theambassadors.com (subject: Chicago) Stay in the know with all things Jewish... Get The Detroit Jewish News print edition delivered to your door every week for less than $2 per issue. thejewishnews.com/subscription Get The Detroit Jewish News print edition delivered Subscribe Today! …
…52 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 SPECIAL ‘HOLIDAY’ SHOWS, RETURNING SERIES, AND ALL ABOUT PEACOCK This is the time of year that “holiday” shows begin flooding every “visual” media outlet. Usually, this means Christmas- related shows. However, just because a show calls itself a holiday show, or a “holiday edition,” doesn’t mean they have much to do with Christmas. For example, two game shows airing this week claim they are special “holid...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 53 BOOK TALK 7 PM, DEC. 1 On Zoom and facilitated by Edie Broida. Debut novelist who wrote Sweetness of Water, Nathan Harris creates an unforgettable cast of characters depicting Georgia during the violent reconstruction period. Equal parts beauty and terror, as gripping as it is moving. To register, visit NCJWMI.org. WISDOM & COFFEE 9:30 AM, DEC. 3 At Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. We will g...…
…54 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 SPOTLIGHT Temple Israel Executive Director Jason Plotkin was recognized by the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA) with “Senior Member” status at its conference held in early November in Clearwater, Florida. Plotkin is the first Metro Detroit executive director to achieve this status. This designation by the professional organization representing executive directors and temple administ...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 55 SHABBAT: CHANUKAH 6-8 PM, DEC. 9 At Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. A special Chanukah- themed dinner and service. Families and individuals of all ages are welcome to join us for beautiful prayers, delicious food, fun children’s activities and songs. Cost: $20/adult & $12/child. Registration requested by Tuesday, Dec. 6: shaareyzedek. shulcloud/event/t.g.i.s. CENTENNIAL 4-6 PM, DEC. 11 Bethel C...…
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…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 57 BEVERLY BENNETT, 90, of West Bloomfield, died Nov. 18, 2022. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lori Bennett and Steven Stein; sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Laine Bennett, and Mark Bennett and Joyce Luft; grandchildren, Bennett Stein and Libby Ashton, Allie and Charles Fahlsing, Eliza Stein and Sean Saint, and Francesca, Dylan, Brynn, Piper and Brooks Bennett; loving nieces, nephews...…
…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 58 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 Phoenix Khan. Mr. Boesky was the beloved husband of the late Judith Boesky. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to JARC, 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, jarc.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. HOWARD FELDMAN, 82, of Macomb, died Nov. 19, 2022. He is sur- vived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Patricia Fel...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 59 and brother-in-law, Miles Halpern, their daughters, Edie and Golda; his mother- in-law, Ana Wolfe; his sister- in-law and brother-in-law, Karina Reskinow and Benny Szylkowski; their children; and many wonderful and caring friends. A memorial service was held in San Francisco, and one will be held in Michigan. Contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel-El or a charity of your choice. DR. LARRY LAFOND, 71, o...…
…60 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY L eypsa Groner, 88, of Southfield, widely viewed as a matriarch and one-of-a-kind rebbetzin of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, died on Nov. 18, 2022. The funeral was held at CSZ on Nov. 20, 2022. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. “Who else but Leypsa Groner could bring seven colleagues together on this bimah?” Rabbi Joseph Krakoff asked at the funeral. Krakoff, Rabbi Aar...…
…DECEMBER 1 • 2022 | 61 her condition. Debbie was independent and able to go to college, but eventually had to move home because of the illness. Leypsa doubled up her efforts to make sure Debbie was taken care of. “There was nothing my mother wouldn’t do for Debbie, ” David Groner said at the funeral. “Joel and I watched in amazement as to how a mother dealt with a sick child for so many years. ” When Debbie passed away in 2001,...…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org 62 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022 Camp: A 100-Year-Old Summer Tradition T his is the JN’s “Camp Guide” issue. Time to start thinking about enrolling the kids at your favor- ite camp and, perhaps, antici- pating a bit of a break for mom and dad? Well, check out the ads in this issue for Tamarack Camps and Camp Tanuga, two of ...…
…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 following publish date (...…
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…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-9 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 10 Jewish Detroit: Year in Review — 2021 24 In Memoria 31 Help for Caregivers JFS/JSL offers joint caregiver series beginning in January. 32 House Hunters Local twin sisters are featured on HGTV. FACES & PLACES 33 Eighth Crazy Night of Chanukah 34 Wine and Cheese in Windsor 35 JCRC/AJC Hosts Media BUSINESS 36 West Bloom...…
…4 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 PURELY COMMENTARY column When Will We Become an Exemplary Society? E very year at the beginning of December comes “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” (Dec. 3), an awareness day created by the United Nations to promote the rights and enhance the well-being of people with disabilities. While I applaud this important initiative, I am troubled by the implication that just one day a year s...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 5 essay Praying in a Holy Place A round two weeks ago, the Heavens blessed us with our first grandchild. Our grandson surprised his parents by coming seven weeks early. Thank God, he is strong and getting stronger by the day. He remains in the NICU at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, until such time that the medical staff deems him healthy enough to go to his new home. I spent this Shabbat in my yesh...…
…6 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 1942 - 2021 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: D...…
…DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 7 eration that it was through school (and the “good debt” of student loans) that we would reach financial sta- bility. Yet the White House announced that a pandem- ic-induced moratorium on loan repayment will end in February. While it’s never a good idea to claim that Jewish text has a single opinion o...…
…8 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 L ooking back at 2021 in the hope of having something sensible to say about the past year, I found myself musing on a perennial question: Is history a story of progress, in which greater numbers of human beings become healthier, happier, more affluent, more tolerant and more educated with each year? Is it a story in which we learn from our past errors and those of our predecessors in order to not repe...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 9 In his new documentary The Will to See, the French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy observes that the pandemic has made the human race more insular and parochial. That is sobering news for those, like Lévy himself, who treasure the idea of solidarity across borders in the service of opening up closed societies and securing freedom for those weighed down by tyrants. It is also sobering for those who believe ...…
…10 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW A s the clock ticks toward 2022, we look back at the year that was. 2021 might be remembered for an attempted coup on our government, the continuing COVID pandemic and the challenges it presents, or the year one of Jewish Detroit’s own was taken prisoner halfway across the world. It might also be remembered for the way the community came together to meet every challenge and support each othe...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 11 FEB. 4. YAD EZRA’S LEA LUGER ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT Lea Luger announced her retire- ment from Yad Ezra after 28 years as executive director. Her last day was in September. FEB. 13 – NEW JEWISH LIBRARY OPENS IN OAK PARK The 900-square-foot Detroit Jewish Library, begun by Rabbi Ari Kostelitz of Congregation Dovid ben Nuchim, opens in Oak Park. FEBRUARY Lea Luger The Detroit Jewish Library COURTESY O...…
…12 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 MARCH 25 – DAN GILBERT ANNOUNCE $500 MILLION COMMITMENT TO DETROIT The Gilbert Family Foundation will con- tribute $350 million, and the Rocket Community Fund will invest $150 million over the next 10 years to aid Detroit citizens, including low-in- come homeowners who have property tax debt. MARCH YEAR IN REVIEW MARCH 1 – JN MOVES TO NEW OFFICES The JN moved from Southfield to its new offices at 32255 ...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 13 Huntington Woods journalist Danny Fenster was — without a doubt — this year’s Newsmaker of the Year. From the time he was detained on May 24 at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar until his return home on Nov. 16, Detroit’s Jewish community was galvanized to do all they could to support his family and see that he came home safely. Fenster, 37, managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, was one of many journali...…
…14 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW APRIL APRIL 1 – JN PARTNERS WITH JSL TO PROVIDE JEWISH NEWS TO SENIORS The staff of the Jewish News began dropping off issues each week at the JSL residences for JSL staff to distribute. Residents can enjoy the JN and keep up with the latest news about the Jewish community at no cost to them. APRIL 8 – FLORINE MARK SELLS WEIGHT WATCHERS GROUP Florine Mark, pioneering Michigan businesswom...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 15 MAY MAY – JN PUBLISHER EMERITUS ARTHUR HORWITZ ENTERS JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME Arthur Horwitz, publisher emeritus and former executive editor of the Detroit Jewish News, has officially been induct- ed into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. Horwitz was supposed to be inducted in 2020, but the ceremony was canceled due to COVID. This year, the ceremony was virtual. MAY — HEBREW FREE LOAN CELEBRATES 125 YEA...…
…16 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW JUNE JUNE – NCJW CELEBRATES 130TH ANNIVERSARY Beginning in 1891, Rabbi Louis Grossman of Temple Beth El called on the women of the com- munity to form a Jewish Women’s Club to “better the conditions of girls, and women, to promote friendly fellowship and mutu- al helpfulness among Jewish Women of Detroit, to elevate their mental, moral and social status, and to foster cultivating influences ...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 17 PHOTO BY YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90 VIA JNS.ORG At a June community-wide rally against antisemitism: ZOA-MI President Sheldon Freilich expresses his Jewish pride. JCRC/ AJC President Seth Gould joins in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Amy Cutler, president of NCJW|MI, thanks the attendees. JUNE 2 — ISAAC “BOUGIE” HERZOG BECOMES ISRAEL’S 11TH PRESIDENT Benjamin Netanyahu con- gratulated Herzog, saying he’s con...…
…18 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW AUGUST AUG. 2 – JVS HUMAN SERVICES AND KADIMA ANNOUNCE MERGER JVS Human Services and Kadima, both nonprofits that serve vulnerable communities in Metro Detroit, announced they will move forward with a merger expected to be opera- tional in 2022. AUG. 12 – BIRMINGHAM TEMPLE CHANGES ITS NAME After nearly 60 years, the Birmingham Temple becomes the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Me...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 19 LEFT: Jared Kushner, fourth from right, poses for a group photo with the ambassadors from Israel and the UAE and others at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, Sept. 14, 2021. BELOW: The Israeli staff at Tamrack were welcomed with a buffet. SEPT. 14 – ANNIVERSARY OF ABRAHAM ACCORDS One year has passed since the United States, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the historic Abraham Accords, late...…
…20 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW OCTOBER OCT. 1 — USS CARL LEVIN IS CHRISTENED The naval destroyer named for the late Sen. Carl Levin was christened Oct. 2 in Maine. OCT. 7 – FORMER TEMPLE BETH EL BUILDING GETS A MAKEOVER Midtown Detroit’s Bonstelle Theatre — a performing arts center that was originally the Temple Beth El synagogue — will be restored to its original glory as a home for arts that continues to celebrate ...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 21 SOME WAYNE STATE STUDENTS HAVE A HARD TIME GOING TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. Not because they’re not tired. It’s because they don’t have a place to sleep. When President M. Roy Wilson and his wife, Jacqueline, arrived at Wayne State University, the first lady had a chance encounter with a medical student who was living out of her car. It was then that she decided something had to be done. Mrs. Wilson founded the Helpi...…
…22 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW NOVEMBER NOV. 5 – JUDGE COHN RELEASES NEW BOOK Retired U.S. Judge Avern Cohn releases his book, Thinking About ‘the Other Fella, ’ part biography and part anthology, co-writ- ten by Jack Lessenberry and Elizabeth Zerwekh. NOV. 11 — RABBI MICHAEL MOSKOWITZ CELEBRATES SILVER ANNIVERSARY Rabbi Michael Moskowitz cel- ebrated 25 years at Temple Shir Shalom, which he helped grow from 500 familie...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 23 DECEMBER DECEMBER – GILDA JACOBS RETIRES FROM THE MICHIGAN LEAGUE FOR PUBLIC POLICY The Michigan League for Public Policy President and CEO Gilda Z. Jacobs retired after 11 years with the organization and four decades of public service DECEMBER – ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN SYNAGOGUE CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL An anticipated grand reopening of the renovated building by Chanukah 2022 will conclude the year-long cent...…
…OUR COMMUNITY 24 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 W e said good-bye to so many wonderful people in 2021. Here are some of the noteworthy names who left the Earth this past year. May their memories be for a blessing. In Memoria JANUARY Quintessential volunteer MICKI GROSSMAN died while packing boxes of food at Temple Shir Shalom at age 86. FEBRUARY DR. ROBERT E. “BOB” MATTHEWS, of Farmington Hills, famous for his sports memorabilia col...…
…DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 25 MATT PRENTICE, renowned local chef and restaurant entre- preneur who catered extensively to the Jewish community, died at age 62. APRIL Ruth Miller Marcus Matt Prentice Walter Mondale, circa 1982 Eli Broad in 2008 JEREMIAH GARCIA VIA WIKIMEDIA Dorothy Gerson Former Vice President WALTER MONDALE died at age 93. Art aficionado and Michigan State University supporter ELI BROAD died at age 87. Longtime e...…
…26 | DECEMBER 30 • 2021 OUR COMMUNITY MAY Educator and former- JCC director ALLAN “GELI” GELFOND died at age 85. Joseph Nederlander Dr. Dan Guyer Allan “Geli” Gelfond Michigan theater pioneer JOSEPH Z. NEDERLANDER died at age 93. Beloved doc- tor and Jewish Federation William Davidson Lifetime Achievement Award winner DR. DAN G. GUYER passed away at age 74. DANIEL SHERBERT, M.D. F.A.C.S. Certifi ed by The American B...…
