February 23, 2023 (vol. 174, iss. 20) • Page Image 1
…$200 Feb. 23-March 1, 2023 / 2-8 Adar 5783 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com The Jewish community embraces the MSU family in wake of mass shooting. WE’RE ALL SPARTANS NOW See page 14 …
…$200 Feb. 23-March 1, 2023 / 2-8 Adar 5783 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com The Jewish community embraces the MSU family in wake of mass shooting. WE’RE ALL SPARTANS NOW See page 14 …
…10 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 PURELY COMMENTARY guest column The Story of Israel continued on page 12 T hese are difficult days in Israel. Leaders and citizens are deeply divid- ed on the issue of the proposed judicial reform, some saying it is long overdue, others saying that it portends the end of Israeli democracy. Much has been written about the pro- posals, and much more will be. There is much that is troubling about the curr...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 11 From North to South — The Bishops Have You Covered! SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS! 4130 TELEGRAPH ROAD BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302 NOAH BISHOP COHEN The Next Generation of “SOLD” ns.cohen26@gmail.com MELANIE BISHOP “SOLD” is my middle name melaniesold@aol.com MelanieSold.com 248.867.7800 OVER 1 BILLION IN CAREER SALES! OVER 1 BILLION IN CAREER SALES! WATERFRONT ESTATE IN LIGHTHOUSE PT! 3131 ...…
…12 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 guest column Standing United Against Hate I magine there are three islands. On each island resides a group of habitants who respect, like, and admire each other. They work together to protect their culture and way of thinking. An option exists for the dwellers to visit the other islands — though — from what they’ve heard, why would they? The others on the neighboring islands appear to be self-interest-...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 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.lifet...…
…We’re All Spartans Now SPARTAN STRONG …
…OUR COMMUNITY O n Monday, Feb. 13, we all became Spartans. Following the shooting at Michigan State University when a gunman opened fire in two buildings on campus, killing three and severely wounding five others before killing himself, Metro Detroit rabbis and mental health profes- sionals from Jewish Family Service wrapped their resources around the Michigan State University community. Parents and students spent the week tearfully ...…
…OUR COMMUNITY “I CANNOT GET THAT IMAGE OF EVERYONE RUNNING FOR FEAR OF THEIR LIVES OUT OF MY HEAD.” — STUDENT ISAAC SMITH continued from page 15 16 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 ON THE COVER Two evenings later, the Jewish com- munity organized a vigil at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. Rabbis from nearly a dozen local congregations told 400 attendees, nearly all clad in MSU green gear, that at times like this, it is OK to feel shattered...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 17 Clockwise from Top: Members of the clergy and the Jewish community led attendees in song and prayer at a vigil for Michigan State on Feb. 16: Rabbi Mark Miller from Temple Beth El; Rabbi Aaron Starr from Congregation Shaarey Zedek; Temple Israel’s Rabbi Jen Kaluzny and Cantor Neil Michaels; Rabbi Josh Bennett from Temple Israel; Rabbi Harold Loss from Temple Israel; Tracey and Brett Katzen from West Bloomfield; and...…
…OUR COMMUNITY “I WAS JUST GLAD TO HANG OUT AT HILLEL WITH MY FRIENDS WHO ALL HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I MAY BE HANGING AROUND HERE FOR A WHILE.” — STUDENT CAITLIN FINERTY continued from page 17 18 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 ON THE COVER want to be alone. That’s how she found herself the evening of the shooting, as her roommate of the duplex they shared was not at home. Finerty said she spent four hours locked and barricaded in her...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 19 become accustomed to hearing about crime and even gun-related crime in and around town. But this time, with the non- stop sirens and helicopters flying overhead, something felt very scary and different. “I spent the night barricaded in my bed- room with seven freshman girls who were there for the program, ” Wolfe recalled. “We spent the time texting friends and family, listening to the police scanner app and the...…
…THEAGENCYRE.COM The Agency Hall & Hunter 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED FRANCHISEE. 248.568.7309 CKAHN@THEAGENCYRE.COM CINDYKAHN.COM An Extraordinary Agent Providing Extraordinary Results #1 TOP PRODUCER FOR 2022 AT THE AGENCY HALL & HUNTER 780 GREENWOOD STREET $3,195,000 BIRMINGHAM Designed & constructed by award-winning architect, Gregory Aerts, this chic new construction home of...…
…OUR COMMUNITY I da and Louis Goutman of Commerce Township will be traveling to Israel on Federation’s Motor City Mission trip next month. This will be Ida’s fourth trip to Israel and Lou’s first; however, they both have a strong commitment to the Jewish state. Ida was in Israel with her parents in 1966, returning in 1968 to attend the Zionist Organization of America’s (ZOA) Mollie Goodman Academic High School summer camp at Kfa...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 21 Over the past week we have been reminded what a tight knit community we live in. MSU Hillel is here for Jewish Spartans now and into the future as we work to process, listen, and heal. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit, Detroit area clergy and congregations, mental health professionals, alumni and friends who have ...…
…22 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 T he Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor held its annual Main Event on Feb. 9, boasting of the highest amount raised in more than 15 years — $1.6 million. It also attracted a large crowed, around 350 attendees online and in-person, the most in five years. Among those in attendance at the Eastern Michigan University venue were officials from the broader community, including U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Di...…
… www.MagnoliabytheLakes.com Magnolia by the Lakes Independent & Assisted Living Resort Michigan’s No. 1 Senior Resort Lakeside Living at its Best Starting at $3,000 /month (all inclusive) In the Heart of Oakland County 1700 Cass Lake Road Keego Harbor, MI 48320 Call: (248) 681-8000 Do Not Compromise - Celebrate a life full of joy, love, & laughter. - Cruise on Cass Lake and capture your inner peace. - Join o...…
…24 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 OUR COMMUNITY A few weeks ago, Temple Israel unveiled two all-gender and accessible bathrooms. It’s a major step in inclusiv- ity that Temple Israel’s Rabbi Jen Lader says the congre- gation has been “dreaming about for years.” “It was a pri- ority of the con- gregation and something we felt strongly about,” she explains. “Temple Israel has been really committed to the idea of inclusivity and accessibi...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 25 Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation. Need help taking care of a parent? ☐ 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. …
…26 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 OUR COMMUNITY B enjamin Craine, 78, of Bloomfield Hills was a successful business owner, a dedicated photographer, a tireless motivator and an endless source of encouragement to all who knew him. To his daughter Ellyn Davidson of Huntington Woods, he was also a mentor, a business adviser and, above all, a best friend. After Ben passed away June 26, 2022, Ellyn, a marketing executive and CEO of Brogan ...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 27 California to Maine, for almost 40 years. He earned an undergraduate degree from the prestigious Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in communication at Wayne State University. He also taught at Wayne State as an adjunct faculty member for 31 years. Add to that a 57-year marriage to his wife, Vicki, and decades of experience as a father and grandfather, and it’s c...…
…28 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 F or 21 years, a group of men from Detroit has joined together for exten- sive hiking trips — exploring beauti- ful parks and learning about local geography as well as animal and plant life. The trips are organized by Richard Stoler of Bloomfield Hills, who is well-known for his expertise about Jewish life in Eastern Europe; he was honored by the Zekelman Holocaust Center in 2014 for his Holocaust-related rese...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 29 As an adult, he sought out a sense of adventure and outdoor experiences, going on a few hiking trips offered at national parks. But Stoler thought it would be more fun to travel with a group of friends and a customized itinerary. Since then, he has arranged 21 hiking trips in state, nation- al and Canadian parks for an expanding group of participants. “We enjoy hiking with passionate guides who teach us about ...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-12 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 14 We’re All Spartans Now The Jewish community embraces the MSU family in wake of mass shooting. 20 A Shared Experience Ida and Louis Goutman will be traveling to Israel together on Motor City Mission. 22 The Main Event Greater Ann Arbor Jewish Federation welcomes Unorthodox podcast hosts, grants first Pillar Award. 24 An Inclusive...…
…30 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 OUR COMMUNITY F arber Hebrew Day School is offering a tuition incentive program to help make relocation easier for families considering a move to Detroit. The purpose of the Farber Recruitment Incentive Program is to incentivize families from outside of the Detroit area with prospective Farber students to relocate their homes to Metropolitan Detroit and enroll their eligible children in Farber. The progra...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 31 ‘Point-Counterpoint: Antisemitism and Progressive Politics’ SAJE (Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment) at The J pres- ents Professor Howard Lupovitch and David Bernstein on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in The Berman. Free and open to the public, this conversation will explore the complex relationship between progressive politics and its impact on the atti- tudes toward Jewish people, Zionism an...…
…Community Joins Together in a Purim Celebration L ocal Conservative con- gregations are joining together on March 6 and March 7 for a communi- ty-wide Purim celebration. The fun begins at Adat Shalom on Monday evening, March 6, at 5 p.m. with a family-friendly “Dr. Seuss- shan” Purim shpiel. A free Purim carnival will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature games, inflatables, balloon art, face painting, a Star Trax Dance party, prize...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 33 Shir Tikvah To Present Artist-In- Residence Rebekka Goldsmith Congregation Shir Tikvah announces a joyful weekend of creative, meaningful song, learning and prayer with professional artist, vocal coach and ritual leader Rebekka Goldsmith. All voices (and peo- ple) are welcome to join for three days of dynam- ic programming for young and old alike. On Friday, March 3, at 7:15 p.m. will be Kabbalat Shabbat:...…
…34 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 OUR COMMUNITY T o commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of AZA, Michigan Region is honoring Arnie Weiner, a man whose dedication to the organization spans half a century. Weiner’s affiliation dates back before he was even born, to the founding of AZA in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1924, cars from Grand Rapids traveled to Omaha, marking the beginning of the first chapter in Michigan, Wasserman AZA #...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 35 Sofia, Bulgaria . When writing his last column in B’Yachad, Arnie said that his generation of agency directors were characterized as “the connecting generation. ” He enjoyed “combining continuity and tradition with innovation and change to build the program. ” Weiner also said, “I did not do it all alone. We were able to gather many people of vision and goodwill, who saw the future leadership of our comm...…
…36 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 On Sunday, Jan. 15, Temple Shir Shalom members and friends joined together in their 12th annual Tikkun Olam-a-thon, a day of repair- ing the world through volun- teer work with local nonprof- it organizations. Nearly 300 participants joined to help those in need with projects based at Temple and at partnering organi- zations. From preparing food with Temple’s caterer, Platinum Dish Catering, for Ronald McDo...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 37 More than 200 people joyfully brought in the new week at Hillel Day School’s Havdalapalooza, sponsored by Hunter Pasteur Homes and Star Trax Events. The evening featured lively songs, crafts, live music and creative activities. Local clergy performed Havdalah bless- ings followed by a variety of fun Hebrew songs while families danced with glow sticks. The all-clergy band included Adat Shalom’s Hazzan Daniel ...…
…38 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to Trees! What a better guest of honor than trees! In Jewish tradition, Tu b’Shevat is a celebration of the birthday, the new year of life, for trees. And what more festive and intentional way to mark a holiday than with a full seder and reading of the Haggadah? No, not the Passover seder and Haggadah, the Tu b’Shevat seder and Haggadah! On Feb. 5...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 39 On Sunday, Jan 29, United Hatzalah had a parlor meeting at Lisa and Mark Soverinsky’s home in West Bloomfield to raise awareness of the Israeli non- profit’s lifesaving work in Israel. Their daughter, Mara Soverinsky, came in from New York for the event as she also works for United Hatzalah at its New York offices. The organization brought Gavy Friedson in to speak and share his knowledge and experience in his...…
…4 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 PURELY COMMENTARY from The DJN Foundation Executive Director Lesson from My Eighth-Grade Self D estiny, Choice Not Chance. Four simple, yet powerful words. Thus began the speech that I wrote and performed for the Optimist Oratorical Competition as an eighth- grade forensics student at Orchard Lake Middle School. I must have rehearsed that thing hundreds of times over a four-month period. My poor famil...…
…40 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 T he Hebrew Academy of Montreal basketball team had to take a long and winding road to make it to Farber Hebrew Day School in Southfield. After two canceled plane flights and an unplanned overnight stay in New York City, the Hebrew Academy entourage finally arrived at Farber in time for the reason for its trip. The Heat made the most of their stay here last month, winning the championship of the fifth a...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 41 Benguira, Nelly Cano, Yossef Dayan, Reuven Drazin, Jack Feldman, Elior Haimovici, Noam Marciano and Max Grossman. Levy, a dentist, is in his 32nd year coaching the Heat. He and his two assistant coaches — Daniel Shaul and Shalom Zobin — are Hebrew Academy graduates. Hebrew Academy teacher Dror Yechiele, who was at the Tanzman tournament as a chaperone for the basketball team, led a pre- game prayer after a...…
…42 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 W hen metalsmith Gabriel Craig initially studied photography at Western Michigan University, his intended career path, the photography class just didn’t cut it for him. Instead, he found inspiration in an unexpected place: his metalworking class. “The metalworking professor gave me a hammer and a piece of aluminum, ” Craig, 39, of Detroit, recalls. “He told me to hammer the piece of metal until it cracks. ” A...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 43 metalsmithing in academia, as was a natural career path for his education and experience, or go on to do something different? For Craig and his wife, who was also a metalsmith, the choice was “obvious, ” he says. “We were like, ‘Let’s start a business, ’” Craig explains. It was the beginning of Smith Shop, which the husband-and-wife team opened in 2012. The craft-centric metalworking studio steadily forged a ...…
…44 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 I t is known that all marathoners should run the Jerusalem marathon at least once in their lives, as the Jerusalem marathon is considered to be one of the most beautiful marathons as runners run by, along and inside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem, that is sacred to the three religions Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The Jerusalem marathon is part of a distinguished list of international marathons c...…
…FEBRUARY 16 • 2023 | 45 …
…46 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 I n 2017, Henry Ford Health became the first-in-the- world to implement a ViewRay MRIdian Linac — an MRI-guided radiation system that transforms the way radi- ation oncologists treat their patients. It became the first health system to procure a sec- ond machine in 2021 and has become an international leader in the field of MRI-guided radiation. About five years since it received its first machine, “we ha...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 47 unit allows you to do is offer truly personalized radiation treatment by recontouring the key areas of concern while the patient is on the table and opti- mizing the radiation plan on the fly.” REAL-WORLD SUCCESSES Dr. Parag Parikh, leader of the MRI-guided radiation program at Henry Ford, specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, includ- ing pancreatic cancer, which is particularly challenging to treat. “No...…
…48 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 MAZEL TOV! Olivia Anne Berman, daughter of Jennifer and Tom Berman, will lead the congregation in prayer as she becomes a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. She will be joined in celebration by her sister Alexis. Olivia is the loving grandchild of Linda and the late Fred Walny, Kathy and Jay Dreifus, and Kim and Ron Berman. She is the loving great- grandchild ...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 49 SPIRIT Value of Spirituality M oses not only served as the rabbi of the Israelites, but he also did the fundraising, collecting the gold, silver, copper … for the construction and upkeep of the Sanctuary. There is, however, one difficult phrase in our biblical portion. God commands Moses to tell the children of Israel to “take” gift offerings for the Sanctuary; ought not the proper verb be to “give...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 5 The SHIVA CENTER Compassion Tradition Dignity at Clover Hill Park Cemetery The SHIVA CENTER at Clover Hill, generously endowed by Mari And Ken Barnett, offers a convenient, adaptable and dignified space on the grounds of Clover Hill to gather with family and friends to honor and share memories of a loved one. Priced at a modest hourly rate, the SHIVA CENTER provides a dedicated Coordinator to manage everything fro...…
…50 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 H undreds gathered at Oakland Center Founder’s Ballroom at Oakland University to hear Rabbi Joseph Telushkin’s lecture titled “The Rebbe: Five Teachings that Can Change Your Life Today.” The event was co-sponsored by the Cis Maisel Center for Judaic Studies and Community, Oakland University Judaic Studies Program, Chabad Jewish Center of Troy and Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan. Telushkin is the author of 18...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 51 The principle aligns with the Rebbe’s focus on engaging Jews in mitzvot and empowering them to act on them immediately and incorporate the mitzvot into daily life. A common practice to this day is encouraging Jewish men to put on tefillin and Jewish women to light Shabbat candles. This focus on immediate action ties in with the Jewish teaching, “If a mitzvah falls into your hand, seize upon it.” A highlight ...…
…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 Bloomfield (248) 78...…
…FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 | 53 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 Farmingt...…
…54 | FEBRUARY 23 • 2023 F or many American Jews, delicatessen cuisine is synonymous with comfort food. It’s what Jews dream about devouring during their daylong Yom Kippur fast and crave when they’re feeling under the weather. Traditional deli menu items, like matzah ball soup, pastrami on rye with pickles on the side, bagels with cream cheese and lox, kasha varnishkes and potato knishes, were brought to this country by Centr...…