…FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 | 55 J N Aaron Mendelson Heating and Cooling, LLC. 248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292 License # 7118488 Maintenance, Installation, Repair & Hot Water Heaters Ajmendelson1@gmail.com FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973 $85 SERVICE FEE 24/7 Emergency Service Call today for your free in-home consultation 248.855.8747 Caren Bass Custom Closets,Inc. WHERE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE as featured on HGTV Leading ...…
…56 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY H arley Shay Rockind, 22, of Bloomfield Hills, died Feb. 16, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with a Diffuse Midline Glioma, a form of brain tumor. He was born in Royal Oak and went to Birmingham Public Schools, graduating from Seaholm High School in 2019. Harley went to Michigan State University and was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity. He graduated in 2023 wi...…
…FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 | 57 J N Foundation or the International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation. SHERRY LYNN GOREN, 81, of Farmington Hills, died Feb. 16, 2024. She is survived by her beloved husband, Aaron Goren; son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Jennifer Goren; daughter and partner, Lisa Goren and Meg Grimes; grandchildren, Shayna, Sammy Goren, Hugo, Max Grimes; broth- er-in-law, Kal Goren; aides, Shalisa Patterson,...…
…58 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 J N OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY E STELLE BLOOM, 76, daughter of Benjamin and Frieda Bloom, and sister of Marvin Bloom, passed away on Feb. 13, 2024, at her home in Scottsdale, Ariz. Estelle grew up in Northwest Detroit, graduating from Mumford High School and Wayne State University with B.A., M.A., and Ed.D. degrees in education. She enjoyed her years as a teacher and was proud of her professional ...…
…FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 | 59 J N Dr. Komer graduated from Mumford High School in 1956 before pursuing his education at Wayne State University and the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa. He excelled in his career as a flight surgeon in the Air Force, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Dr. Komer’s dedication to aero- space medicine and psychiatry touched the lives of many during his service. Dr. Komer primarily re...…
…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...…
…60 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 J N grandson, Henry V . Michaels; brother and sister-in-law, Franklin Levinson and Ilona Staikou; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Al and Aurelia Michaels. Mrs. Michaels was the cher- ished mother of the late Gary Steven Michaels; the devoted daughter of the late Benjamin and the late Clara Levinson. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Ar...…
…FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 | 61 218 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 540, Chicago, IL 60604, lungevity. org; JARC, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48301, jarc. org/give; Friends of the IDF Michigan Chapter, P.O. Box 999, Walled Lake, MI 48390, fidf.org/donate; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. BERNICE RISKIN, 95, of West Bloomfield, died Feb. 15, 2024. She is survived by her husband of...…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at thejewishnews.com 62 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 J N When Zionists Were Welcomed I t jumped off the page as I cruised the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History. A half-page advertisement from Chrysler Corporation in the July 1, 1938, issue of the Detroit Jewish Chronicle had this headline in big letters: “Welcome Zionists!” Th...…
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…FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 | 7 J N The Program for Holocaust Survivors & Families provides the following: • Support Groups • Monthly Café Europa Concerts • Individual Wellness Calls • Special Holiday Events • PORTRAITS OF HONOR Oral History Exhibit and Photo Gallery located at the Zekelman Holocaust Center. Please visit: portraitsofhonor.org PLEASE DONATE TODAY Visit jslmi.org/phsf-fundraiser For more information contact Dr. Charles Silow at 2...…
…8 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 J N PURELY COMMENTARY opinion Jewish Service Can Support Recovery Efforts in Israel and Sustain Jewish Life in North America I t’s not hard to feel a sense of despair in these extraordinarily difficult times for Jews in Israel and around the world following the horrors of Oct. 7, the upsurge in antisemitism close to home and the continuing loss of human life. In times of despair, Jewish tradition offers us...…
…FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 | 9 J N is done in partnership with those impacted and includes Jewish learning. Service is a universal value, but Jewish tradition has much to say about how we offer it, and participants should explore Jewish wisdom about how service should be approached. Service that combines these components — that actually contributes to relief and recovery efforts and cares about the experience of American Jewish volunte...…
…JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT 3-D puzzle competition raises funds for those wrongly imprisoned. ‘Solve 4 Justice’ $200 Feb. 22-28, 2024 / 13-19 Adar I 5784 thejewishnews.com See page 10 …
…10 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N A n unlikely blending of a passion for Rubik’s Cube and the lesson of a Torah portion grew into a fundraising event coupling fun and fierce competition with donations and the raising of awareness about a meaningful cause. In preparing for his bar mitzvah service, 13-year- old Eli Katz, a competitive “cuber,” learned that Parshat Bo features the words, “Let my people go,” a phrase befitting any individual or...…
…that’s the main theme that stood out to me from Parshat Bo, so helping the Innocence Project fit perfectly,” said Eli, whose family, including his twin sister, Ariella, lives in Farmington Hills. He brought in the “cubing” community by contacting the WCA that governs competitions for mechanical puzzles that are operated by twisting groups of pieces, including the Rubik’s Cube. They recognize world records and host competitions intern...…
…12 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 coordinator, and events and rentals coordinator at Shaarey Zedek. She relayed a portion of Eli’s speech, sharing that he said, “The Innocence Project helps to free innocent people from prison who were wrongly convicted. I chose to raise funds through a Rubik’s cubing competition because cubing is one of my biggest passions. I practice all of the time and, unlike the Israelites under Pharoah, I’m very lucky ...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 13 Available on approved credit through Honda Financial Services. 1.99% APR for up to 24 months on select 2018–2023 HondaTrue Certified+ and HondaTrue Certified Accord, Civic, CR-V, and HR-V vehicles through 04/01/24, for well-qualified buyers. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher financing rates apply for buyers with lower credit ratings. Actual down payment may vary. Dealer participation may affect actual payment. Deale...…
…14 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 program. The University of Michigan has another.” In both programs, law students, working under the direction of faculty members, provide legal assistance to prisoners in Michigan who may be imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. “Both law schools have a busy docket of cases they select from requests made by prisoners around the state,” Lawrence Katz said. Cases are typically selected based on post-con...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 15 Innocence Project,” said William Arnold, director of advancement and alumni relations at Cooley Law School. “It is inspiring to have teenagers helping to educate the broader community about the life-changing work of the Innocence Project. “In addition to working to free all those who have been wrongly incarcerated, the Cooley Law School Innocence Project is committed to enacting necessary changes at the...…
…16 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N M embers of the Jewish community are among those missing the Maple Theater in Bloomfield Township since its unexpected closure on Feb. 5. They are sharing their feelings of dis- appointment and sadness with friends and family and on social media. Some of the super fans were willing to speak about the Maple with the Detroit Jewish News. Suburban Detroit Theaters opened the Maple 1-2-3 in March 1977 at 4135 ...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 17 J N The statement from the Goldsteins con- tinued: “We worked hard to try to return near to pre-pandemic attendance, and while there are tangible glimmers of hope, we are unable to make the financial commitment necessary to keep the Maple a first-class establishment. ” LAMENTING THE LOSS “I am not alone in mourn- ing the closing of the Maple Theater, ” said Edie Broida of West Bloomfield. “There was an intimac...…
…18 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N S ocial entrepreneur, poet-journalist, filmmaker and author Aaron Dworkin will headline this year’s Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor Main Event on Wednesday, March 13. Dworkin will share his story of growing up with multiple identities and how his experiences influenced his professional path, including his profound and cutting- edge work as founder of the Sphinx Organization. He will share exce...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 19 J N “It is an honor for my husband and I to serve as Host Committee chairs along with my parents,” Jennifer VanBeck said. “We are passionate about getting young families more involved in the Ann Arbor Jewish community, which has been a wonderful community to be a part of since we moved here in 2018. “This year, due to the shocking increase in anti-Israel activities and antisemitism in our community sinc...…
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…20 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N T he University of Michigan Board of Regents approved a new state- ment on free speech during a spe- cial meeting on Jan. 16. The “Principles on Diversity of Thought and Freedom of Expression” note the university is “guided by the let- ter and spirit of the First Amendment” and its commitment to freedom of expression is consistent with its commit- ment to “nurturing a diverse, equitable, inclusive community...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 21 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! …
…T o close out February, the Jewish Federation of Detroit is hosting a special live event tackling some of the most pressing topics our Jewish community and Jewish communities across the world are grappling with post-Oct. 7. The event, which takes place Thursday, Feb. 29, at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township, welcomes Hen Mazzig to Detroit. Mazzig is a globally recognized speaker, educator, author and digital influencer. More t...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 23 J N M any American Jews are interest- ed in Israeli life, especially its politics, and follow its important events and issues. The Israel and Overseas Department of Jewish Federation of Detroit occasion- ally presented programs about Israeli issues; but during the pandemic, there was an interest in doing more. About three years ago, the Overseas Department staff, its volunteer lay leadership and Yiftah Le...…
…24 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N R osa Parks is recognized as one of the foremost pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement — a soft-spoken, dignified African American woman who wouldn’t give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus. Her subsequent arrest led to a boycott of Montgomery’s segregated public bus system by local African Americans and a hard-earned early success for the civil rights movement. The Friend...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 25 J N Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC/AJC) and Rev. Richardson thought that this group might want to participate in the Rosa Parks program. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, JCRC/AJC executive director, responded positively and provided a dessert buffet after the Clemons’ presentation. As a group of more than 100 Pasteur staff, church members and Friends of Pasteur volunteers watched attentively, Clemons spoke ...…
…26 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N M ore than 250 people gathered at Cadieux Stage in Detroit to celebrate the life of Samantha Woll, who was murdered last October at her Detroit home. Every detail of the gathering was intentionally designed with Sam in mind. From the Sam-allergy-friendly potluck filling tables upon tables with delicious and diverse food, to high-tops adorned with conversation prompts and eclectic campaign pins, ...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 27 J N Thursday walk with her. I even miss being annoyed by Sam’s chronic lateness and her subsequent endless apologies for being late. I just wish with my whole being that she was physically back in our world. “And, in all of this indescribable physical, emotional and spiritual agony, I have moments that I feel Sam,” she said. “And it is Sam’s unique, sweet, sweet spirit that is actually guiding me and many...…
…28 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N F edRadio Detroit co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Lis welcome Jane Sherman to this month’s podcast. Sherman is a trusted leader in Detroit’s Jewish community, touching lives in Michigan, in Israel and around the world. Her resume is impressive: She’s a member of the executive committee for the Jewish Agency for Israel. She’s a past chair and a board member of the United Israel Appeal, and a board member ...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 29 HEAR ALL ABOUT IT! FedRadioDetroit is Federation’s podcast featuring big personalities from Jewish Detroit’s diverse cast of characters, presented in collaboration with the Detroit Jewish News. NEW EPISODE OUT NOW! Jane Sherman, one of the most respected leaders in our community, joins co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss for a captivating conversation. Available wherever you get your podcasts or by scanning ...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 3 J N contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-8 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 10 ‘Solve 4 Justice’ 3-D puzzle competition raises funds for wrongly imprisoned. 16 Maple Theater Closes its Doors 18 Ann Arbor Federation’s Main Event Founder of the Sphinx Organization Aaron Dworkin to headline. 20 U-M Board Adopts Free Speech Statement 22 Federation Hosting Hen Mazzig Globally recognized speake...…
…30 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N A global adventure awaits at our EPIC night market where we’ve curated the most amazing tastes, smells, sights and sounds from Jewish communities from around the world.” It’s that time of year again. NEXTGen Detroit’s annual fundraising event — EPIC — returns. This year’s EPIC theme will see guests travel through the Jewish tribe’s rich regional cultures — from Marrakesh to Mykonos and Buenos Aires to ...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 31 JARC Exceeded Fundraising Goal Man Convicted of Defacing Synagogue JARC, the nonprofit agency that serves individuals with develop- mental disabilities, announced that its 2023 fall fundraising campaign exceeded its goal of $1.2 million and netted $1.4 million for the nonprofit. Funds raised support 120 people with developmental dis- abilities at 45 locations in Metro Detroit, including 24-hour care in gr...…
…32 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N E lle Hartje is one of the best women’s college hockey players in the country. A star at Yale University for four years, the senior forward from Bloomfield Hills set the team record for assists in a season with 39 last year and is the team leader in career assists. She had 106 helpers as of Feb. 9. She’s a two-time All-ECAC First Team selection and she was named a CCM/American Hockey Coaches Associatio...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 33 J N O ne of the favorite activities of adults with developmental disabilities served by local nonprofit JARC is the regular bingo nights that often host a lively and varied group of people who love the game. JARC hosted nine bingo events last year for the people they serve. These events took place both at JARC locations and at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills and have showcased special callers, includi...…
…34 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N Rosen 96th E stelle Rosen celebrated her 96th birthday with friends and family. In attendance were her friends Marsha King, Evelyn Levy, Idene and Paul Fink. Her grandchildren are Rachel Lieberman (in photo), Jacob Lieberman, David Shiener, Loren Shiener, Danielle and Shree Kumandan; her great-grandchild is Ashwin Kumandan; her children are Karen and Jerry Shiener, Nikki and John Lieberman, and Jane...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 35 J N Names of Empathy P rior to the story of the Exodus, the Torah presents the lineage of the first three tribes of Israel: Reuven, Shimon and Levi. Introducing the tribe of Levi, the Torah states, Ve’eileh shemos benei Levi, “These are the names of the sons of Levi. ” Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz (the “Shelah Ha’kadosh”) detects within this introduction an indication of special emphasis and suggests that the...…
…36 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N W hy is the Torah so specific and emphatic, in this week’s parshah, about the clothes to be worn by the Cohen and the Cohen Gadol? “These are the vestments that they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a knitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. Make them as sacred vestments for Aaron and his sons so that they will be able to be priests to Me.” Ex. 28:4 In general, Judaism is skeptical abou...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 37 J N Why? Maimonides gives this explanation: “In order to exalt the Temple, those who ministered there received great honor, and the priests and Levites were therefore distinguished from the rest. It was commanded that the priest should be clothed properly with the most splendid and fine clothes, ‘holy garments for glory and for beauty’ … for the multitude does not estimate man by his true form but by … t...…
…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...…
…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 Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 ...…
…4 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N PURELY COMMENTARY continued on page 7 essay Reading the War I srael’s War against Hamas in the Gaza Strip is now over four months old. The heinous Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack upon innocent Israeli civilians — as well as foreign visitors and friends who happened to be in the area — sparked a war that continues to rage with no end in sight. I have always read widely about Israel. For the pa...…
…40 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J N ARTS&LIFE THEATER Y ou don’t quite expect a stage musical like On Your Feet! spotlighting the life of Gloria and Emilio Estefan and their Miami Sound Machine, to break into the hora. But a bar mitzvah sequence is, in fact, part of the ebullient, Tony Award- nominated production, which will be in town on Feb. 24 at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. It comes as the show is recounting the early days of the band w...…
…FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 | 41 someone told him, ‘You should learn ‘Hava Nagila’ — that’s gonna bring you a whole new market. So we did that and the jobs started coming.” The Estefans have an even tighter connection now; their son Nayib is married to a Jewish woman, and their grandson is being raised in both faiths. “He’s being raised knowing his culture, that being Jewish isn’t just a religion, it’s a culture, too,” Estefan says. “We...…
