…42 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N T he quintessential Jewish expression of thanks, gratitude and acknowledgment is Baruch Hashem, meaning “Thank God” or “Praise be to the Lord.” Chassidim say of the Baal Shem Tov that he would travel around the little towns and villages of Eastern Europe, asking Jews how they were. However poor or troubled they were, invariably they would reply, Baruch Hashem. It was an instinctive expression of faith...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 43 J N We believe that God is universal. He created the Universe. He set in motion the processes that led to stars, planets, life and humanity. His concern is not limited to Israel. As we say in the prayer of Ashrei, “His tender mercies are on all His works.” You do not need to be Jewish to have a sense of reverence for the Creator or recognize, as Yitro did, His hand in miraculous events. It would be hard to fin...…
…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...…
…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 ...…
…46 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N A lex Edelman’s having a banner year that’s wrapping up in Detroit and Chicago. The comedian and writer makes his second-to-last stop on the national tour of his critically acclaimed solo show, Just For Us, at the Fisher Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 10. “I’ve never been to Detroit. It’s known as a pretty good theater city, so this is a must- do for me,” says Edelman, 34. The tour comes on the heels of his wi...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 47 outside of Boston. “ Alex and I bonded through that collaboration, and he asked me to come and check out Just for Us in its initial off- Broadway run in winter 2022. I couldn’t stop raving after I saw it, and we kept in touch about it through all of his subsequent productions,” Sussman said. “ After he played Williams- town Theatre Festival in summer 2022, producer Jenny Gersten and I decided to pursue the po...…
…48 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N N o one can prove the existence of God. Nor can one disprove it. The debate seems to go nowhere in most cases. But what if the debate is between two great minds of the 20th century? Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was a staunch atheist and very much a secular Jew. He was ardent in the belief that there was no supreme being and that all explanations were of this world. British author C.S. L...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 49 also worth mentioning that although the meeting between Freud and Lewis is fictional, the movie credits indicate speculation that Freud was visited just before his death by an Oxford don (who might have been Lewis). By the way, neither side of the argument is persuasive. Fear of death is natural. But it hardly disproves the existence of God. One can be both fearful and faithful. And the notion that belief ...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 5 J N A I S H DETROIT ANNUAL G A L A HONORING RABBI ALON TOLWIN SATURDAY NIGHT 02.03.24 8 PM A ALFRED TAUBMAN COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES 460 W. BALTIMORE AVE, DETROIT featuring LA COMEDIAN MARC SCHIFF PREMIUM BAR & STROLLING DINNER GALA CHAIRS Mickey Eizelman • Eli Saulson R S V P B E O F T H E D I S C I P L E S O F A A R O N LOVING PEACE AND PURSUING PEACE LOVING MANKIND A N D DRAWING THEM CLOSE T...…
…50 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N THE GRAMMYS; NEW JEWISH FILM WOWS CRITICS The Grammy awards will be presented on Sunday, Feb. 4 (8 p.m., CBS and Paramount+). There are so many Grammy categories that only the Grammys in the most popular categories are given to winners during the Grammy TV broadcast (“popular” is based on music sales and concert ticket sales). Here are most of the TV-worthy Jewish nominees. Jack Antonoff, 39, and Mi...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 51 ARTS&LIFE JUST FOR FUN Jewish Joke of the Week “In high school football, the coach kept me on the bench all year. On the last game of the season, the crowd was yelling, ‘We want Youngman! We want Youngman!’ The coach fi nally says, ‘Youngman, go see what they want!’” — Henny Youngman Look for the answers in next week’s issue. See answers to the Jan. 25 puzzle on page 54. How Many Words Can You Make? C...…
…52 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N SPECIALCONCERT 7:30 PM, FEB. 2 (FRI.) At Orchestra Hall, Justin Freer conducting. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert. Relive the film that started it all. Watch the wand choose the wizard, a troll run amok and magic mirrors in high-definition while the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score. Don’t miss this once-in- a-lifetime event as Harry, Ron, Hermione and al...…
…‘IMMIGRATION ACT’ 7-8:30 PM, FEB. 6 (TUES.) “One-Hundred Years Later — The Johnson- Reed Immigration Act” discussed by Professor Howard Lupovitch. In this online series, we consider the ways that Jewish immigration pre-1924 worked to the benefit of American society. Tuition: $40. Class dates: 2/6 & 2/13. Register: jlive.app/ events/6326. RESUME WORKSHOP 10-11:30 AM, FEB. 7 (WED.) Join Gesher Human Services, 29699 Southfield Road,...…
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…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 56 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 F ounder and longtime owner of Willoway Day Camp, Arnold “Arnie” Fisher was also a dedicated teacher, lifelong learner, loyal friend and loving husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather. After a lifetime committed to bettering the world and uplifting those around him, Arnie passed away on Jan. 18, 2024, at his West Bloomfield home. He was 93. “He was one-of-a-kind,” ...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 57 J N Arranging a funeral is an emotional process. But choosing the right funeral home can help alleviate the stress. That’s why people turn to us. We understand the wants and needs of families from all walks of Judaism. Our fresh look and feel make everyone feel welcome. We’re centrally located, and our pricing is fair. Our care—and our caring—help ease the burden of a loss. Making a Dorfman difference everyone wi...…
…58 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N RITA BARISH, 87, of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 14, 2024. She is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, Sidney Barish; daughters and son-in-law, Shelli Feinberg (partner, Harold Etkin), Jody (Jeff) Hersh; son and daughter- in-law, Ryan and Jennifer Barish; son-in-law, Stewart Shifman; grandchildren, Joshua (Jess Brecker) Feinberg, Samantha (Matthew) Abeles, Jordan Fishman, Zachary (Ashley) Shi...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 59 J N Jared and Lauren Shiffman, Liza and Brenner Sandberg, Dovid Garber, Eliezer Garber, Shoshana and Avi Liani, Sarah Rivka Garber, and Anne Garber; great- grandchildren, Aiden and Noah Shiffman, Zachary and Ethan Sandberg, and Menachem, Esther Chaya, Miriam, and Shimon Moshe Liani; sister, Gail Aricha; brother, Lester Burkow. Mrs. Garber was the beloved wife for 66 years of the late Sol Garber; the lovin...…
…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 1 • 2024 J N Sophia Aaron, Alex Aaron, Lillian Beavers, Jack Beavers, Danielle Jacobson (fiancé, Zach Mettel) and Jenna Jacobson. Sheldon is also survived by his beloved brother, Martin Goldman. Sheldon’s family was at the center of his heart. He is also remembered by numerous lifelong friends who, like his family, mourn his departure. He was preceded in death by his parents, Seymour and Martha (Katzer) Goldman, S...…
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 61 OBITUARY CHARGES The processing fee for obituaries is: $125 for up to 100 words; $1 per word thereafter. A photo counts as 15 words. There is no charge for a Holocaust survivor icon. The JN reserves the right to edit wording to conform to its style considerations. For information, have your funeral director call the JN or you may call Sy Manello, editorial assistant, at (248) 351-5147 or email him at smane...…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at thejewishnews.com 62 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N Women in the IDF O n Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the heinous surprise Hamas attack that killed 1,200 innocent Israelis and friends from abroad, a question was unequivocally answered. Anyone who had previously doubted the courage or skill of female combat soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) co...…
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…JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT MAZEL TOV! Celebrate all of your milestone moments with an announcement in the Detroit Jewish News. Scan the QR code to book: • Anniversary • B’nai Mitzvah • Birth • Engagement • Milestone Birthday • Wedding …
…FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 7 J N engaged in this symbolic project. It does not, in any way, serve the students of AAPS and their families. In fact, it may harm the dis- trict’s efforts to hire a strong superintendent. Unlike the Ann Arbor City Council and Washtenaw County Commission, there was no attempt to garner communi- ty input to craft a document that would be inclusive rather than divisive. Several trustees engaged mean- ingfully ...…
…8 | FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 J N op-ed Defeat Campus Antisemitism with Education W hat can be done to combat and defeat antisemitism on North American college campuses? It is daunting to come up with a concrete plan for doing so, especially when antisemitism is surging amid the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war. It is less daunting, however, to deal with the task of combating ignorance and indifference. The first step toward doin...…
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…$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...…
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…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-...…
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…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...…
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…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...…
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…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 ...…
