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…$200 April 29-May 5, 2021 / 17- 23 Iyar 5781 JEWISH NEWS JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com jewishnews JEWISH NEWS the Meet 18 amazing teens who’ve made an impact! Page 14 2021 …

…SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GALA SPONSORS* STAFF APPRECIATION SPONSOR STROLLING DINNER SPONSOR SILENT AUCTION SPONSOR Eden, Kevin, Skylar, and Zachary Elbinger DESSERT SPONSOR RAFFLE SPONSOR SUE AND ALAN KAUFMAN DRIVE-UP SPONSOR Hedy & David Blatt GALA EVENT SPONSOR KENDYL & REESE KAUFMAN KAREN AND JERRY KAUFMAN SABRINA, BRIAN, JADYN, TECHNOLOGY SPONSOR Debbie and Mark Landau STUDENT SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR BLUE AND WHITE SPONSOR CE...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-12 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 14 Rising Stars 2021 Meet 18 teens making an impact in our community. 23 Inclusive Jewish Learning Program Feted Opening the Doors marks its 25th anniversary. 24 Frankel Jewish Academy Event FJA Annual Gala on May 12 spotlights four honorees. 24 Battling Hate Oakland County prosecutor establishes Hate Crimes Unit in fir...…

…4 | APRIL 29 • 2021 for openers Can Your Loving Pet Be a Member of the Tribe? B ertie, our loveable dachshund, left us a couple of years ago. He was willful, stubborn, loving and adorable. He thought he was Jewish. He got me to thinking. So, is there such a thing as a Jewish dog? Is it a Sadie or Schmaltsy or Nuddel? Not a Fido or Spot. Every Friday night when I lit candles (no matter where we were), Bertie would suddenly show ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 5 NOW OPEN BIRMINGHAM’S HOTTEST & BRIGHTEST SOCIAL ESTABLISHMENT A gastropub cradled in the heart of Birmingham, welcoming all who seek neighborly company and good conversation. Locally Sourced Continental Cuisine Artfully Crafted Libations Sommelier Curated Wines Brunch | Lunch | Dinner | Happy Hour HOST YOUR EVENT Wedding & Baby Showers | Birthdays | Luncheons | Corporate Events | And More! 555 S. Old Woodwa...…

…6 | APRIL 29 • 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: Detr...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 7 INNOVATIVE. ENGAGING. ENLIVENING. TOTALLY CAPTIVATING. Ÿ An expansive menu of freshly prepared meals and daily chef specials Ÿ Fine arts performances Ÿ A variety of thoughtfully planned, engaging activities Ÿ Individual chauffeured transportation Ÿ A host of technology- based enrichment Ÿ Family engagement app All Seasons emboldens you to discover a dynamic range of enlightening perspectives and experiences e...…

…8 | APRIL 29 • 2021 PURELY COMMENTARY JEWISH DOG from page 4 PARTNERSHIP2GETHER from page 6 beloved Judaic friends. For after years of study, research, interviews, and consultations with experts, I am about to publish the only guide of its kind, ‘How to Tell if Your Dog is Jewish.’ At long last, you can have peace of mind about at least this one small yet vital part of your family’s life. You’re welcome.” THE SMELL TEST The rab...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 9 Paid & Free Announcement Submissions Now Open to All High School & College Graduates! Congratulatory announcements are a special way to honor your graduate and connect with the community. PAID ADS* INCLUDE: 1 image, title, student’s name, your own special message and signature. FREE LISTINGS* INCLUDE: 1 image, student’s name, high school, university, achievements, and featured in the online gallery. *Ads are booke...…

…10 | APRIL 29 • 2021 guest column Holocaust Victims and Heirs Seek Justice from Defiant Global Insurance Companies T he financial dam- age caused to Jewish families during the Holocaust continues to be felt, especially by more than 25,000 survivors in the United States who live in pov- erty. To date, only 3% of the nearly 800,000 insurance poli- cies paid for by Jews during the Holocaust have been honored, due primarily to inte...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 11 248.289.0660 www.tusharvakhariya.com 6755 Telegraph Road | Bloomfield Hills MI 48301 210 S Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham MI 48009 760 LONE PINE BLOOMFIELD HILLS MI 48304 | 8,897 SQFT | 6 BEDS | 6.2 BATHS | $2,250,000 Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation. Need Housing Support? ☐ Call jhelp at 1-833-445-4357 ☐ Visit jhelp.org ☐ Chat onli...…

…12 | APRIL 29 • 2021 PURELY COMMENTARY guest column Support the NO HATE Act T he eight Asian spa murders in Atlanta. A 65-year-old Asian American woman kicked in the stomach and face while being verbally attacked in New York City. A Jewish family slashed with a knife, also in Manhattan. Constant attacks on African Americans. Sadly, today, many Americans are in constant fear for their safety simply because of the color of t...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 13 • A special video look at our 75–year history • Presentation of the Marion Freedman Women’s Philanthropy Volunteer Award to Debbie Levin Let’s toast together! Your registration includes a gift box that you’ll want to have to enjoy during the Annual Meeting. Please plan to pick up your gift box and allow us to greet you at a COVID-safe, drive-thru on Monday, May 10. You must register by May 3 to receive a gift box....…

…14 | APRIL 29 • 2021 T his year, the Jewish News has once again partnered with Jteen, a Jfamily program based at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, to recognize 18 remarkable teens in our community who excel in academics, sports, business, activism and tikkun olam — among many other areas. They all have one thing in com- mon — they are making a difference in their communities. In what has been an exceptionally ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 15 continued on page 16 Meet 18 amazing teens making an impact in our community. hospital were coping. At the beginning of this pandemic, she reached out to the child life coordinator at Beaumont Hospital to find out their needs. She learned the playroom was closed with no reopen date in sight, and patients weren’t allowed visitors because of the pandemic. She was told that almost all the donated toys from the Dece...…

…16 | APRIL 29 • 2021 RISING STARS continued on page 18 continued from page 15 teenage girls formed to teach future pro- fessionals how to start a business, and has been participating in the online mentor- ship and lecturing events for that group. She also competed on behalf of North Farmington High School in the Business Professional of America Presentation Management Competition this fall where she won the regional competition and ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 17 A N N U A L G A L A SPONSORSHIPS & JOURNAL ADS: FRANKELJA.ORG/GALA Honoring R O B I N & L E O E I S E N B E R G DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI HONOREE RYAN LANDAU, FJA CLASS OF 2006 DISTINGUISHED FACUL TY HONOREE NICOLE KAHN WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 8:00pm VIRTUAL PROGRAM F R A N K E L J E W I S H A C A D E M Y congratulates SKYLAR ELBINGER FJA CLASS OF 2022 MANDI FEALK FJA CLASS OF 2021 ANDREW TUKEL FJA CLASS OF 2022 o...…

…18 | APRIL 29 • 2021 ever since and is now part of the Teen President Board. Mandi has not only volunteered with the participants but has also become their friends, and her enthu- siasm is contagious. Mandi participates in all aspects of Friendship Circle and has been active in helping the staff whenever they call. Even during the pandemic, Mandi was at over- night camp, a regular at Sunday Circle and some weekday after-school progra...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 19 then as gizbor (treasurer). He is also an active participant with the Mayor’s Youth Council for Farmington/Farmington Hills, where he was recently elected secre- tary and helps plan events that engage the cities’ youth and volunteers with the local community. ETHAN MARCUS Ethan Marcus, 17, of Birmingham is a junior at Groves High School. His devotion to charity and helping others has been and contin- ues to b...…

…20 | APRIL 29 • 2021 of the group is on what Judaism and fem- inism teach about various topics and their intersection. They have had sessions on topics such as feminist Torah, the Jewish diaspora, sex education, self-care and many “repair the world” topics. Currently, the group is doing a drive for HAVEN’s (shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence) education program, collecting books and materials. In 2020,...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 21 Tali Rubenstein Ethan Marcus Groves High School Groves High School Birmingham Public Schools @BirminghamPublicSchools www.Birmingham.k12.mi.us 248-203-3000 SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS! 4130 Telegraph Rd. 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...…

…22 | APRIL 29 • 2021 social justice, Israel advocacy and com- munity engagement for BBYO Michigan Region, where he oversaw and managed all programming, conventions and logistics for 800+ members, along with serving as the chair for five committees and overseeing a total of 26 counterparts within two years. As head of social action and engagement for BBYO Michigan Region, he coordinat- ed a convention with 70+ in attendance in Ann Arbo...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 23 OUR COMMUNITY J CC Detroit’s Opening the Doors (OTD) pro- gram holds its 25th Anniversary Celebration virtually on Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. Event honorees include Anita Naftaly, Susie Citrin and Peggy Frank. OTD enables children with diverse learning differences and abilities to participate in inclusive Jewish education with their peers. Master level special educators and para-educators are pres- ent ...…

…24 | APRIL 29 • 2021 F rankel Jewish Academy (FJA) is holding its annual gala virtually on Wednesday, May 12, spotlight- ing four honorees, including main honorees Robin and Leo Eisenberg, Ryan Landau as the distinguished alumni honoree and Nicole Kahn as the distinguished faculty honoree. The free vir- tual event being streamed at 8 p.m. on Facebook Live will feature school leadership, the four honorees and FJA students ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 25 Y ad Ezra, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Wayne State Medical School and Wayne Health collaborated to offer vaccines to Yad Ezra clients and others who had not been able to get an appointment yet. This effort took place at Yad Ezra on April 23. Yad Ezra’s Executive Director Lea Luger serves on the gov- ernor’s Protect Michigan Commission, which encourages people to wear masks and social distance to combat th...…

…26 | APRIL 29 • 2021 C ommuters and customers have noticed the new name of the kosher supermarket at Greenfield just north of 10 Mile Road. A big sign advertises it as The Grove. More has changed than just the name, according to the owner, Shlomo Goldman: “In 2019, we began a total renovation. ” The look of the store has changed to match the decor of The Grove supermar- kets in Delray Beach, Miami Beach, Boca Raton and Hollywood, F...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 27 parents used to run grocery stores in bungalow colonies even before I got started. I guess it is in my heritage. ” Operating a supermarket in suburban Detroit has a special place in Goldman’s own his- tory. He says that he opened a store in the 10 Mile Road and Southfield area in 1996. It was his first big store. A SATISFIED SHOPPER Chantele Fish of Oak Park buys groceries for her family at The Grove. She has...…

…28 | APRIL 29 • 2021 OUR COMMUNITY K now anybody who remains active at the ripe old age of 125? Look no further than our beloved Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. Founded on March 15, 1896, the JWV is proud to be recognized as the oldest veterans’ service organization in our nation. Last month, the JWV Department of Michigan was honored to be in receipt of official proclama- tions by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as well a...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 29 D uring a May 10 Hadassah Greater Detroit virtual pro- gram, “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Hidden Jews of Ethiopia,” Rabbi Josh Bennett of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield will explore the history of Ethiopia’s Jewish community, including the possibility that the Ark of the Covenant may be there, and also present a video about the self-described “Hidden Jews,” numbering more than 150,000 in central Ethiopi...…

…30 | APRIL 29 • 2021 E very time Laura Kienscherf heard music, she couldn’t help but dance, sing or hum along. Kienscherf was diagnosed with dementia, and although she battled the progressive neurological disease daily, music would bring her pure joy. “She was so happy, ” said son Daryn Kienscherf, 55, of Royal Oak, recalling his mother’s reaction to music. “It put her back in time to a place where life was simpler, and she wasn’t ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 31 ation and focus. It can even steady heart rate and breath- ing, both of which help keep people calm during stressful situations. While music carried Laura through dementia, oth- ers benefit in different ways. MUSIC AND MOBILITY In Parkinson’s disease, for example, music has been found to support and preserve functional mobility, which is directly attacked by the illness. For those with aphasia, a loss or impair...…

…32 | APRIL 29 • 2021 SPORTS A year ago, nobody knew if there would be an Inter- Congregational Men’s Club Summer Softball League season. The COVID-19 pandemic had shut down activities across the country. The 25th anniver- sary season of one of the Metro Detroit Jewish community’s jewels was in jeopardy. But the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Department reopened its dia- monds in June, opening the door for a league season. ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 33 NATION J ewish groups reacted to the verdict on April 20 of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty of murder and manslaugh- ter in the death of George Floyd. Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, touched off massive worldwide protests, violence and an examination of U.S. race relations and police conduct in the last year. The Jewish community — active in civil rights and with a long histo...…

…34 | APRIL 29 • 2021 MAZEL TOV! HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18 each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs or for special birthdays starting at the 90th. For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello at smanello@thejewishnews.com or (248) ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 35 W hat is the most important quality for a reli- gious leader — a sharp mind or a sensitive heart, a commitment to study or a commitment to lovingkindness? This week’s parshah opens with the laws applying to the Kohanim, the religious, ritual leaders of Israel. The reading provides their quintessential leadership role: to direct the Jewish people in areas of the sacred and mundane, the ritually pure and im...…

…36 | APRIL 29 • 2021 T he occasion of Lag b’Omer, which is cus- tomarily celebrated as a quasi-holiday, is shrouded in mystery. Unlike every other special occasion on the Jewish calendar, regard- ing Lag b’Omer, we have precious little information about what it is we are celebrating. The Gemara in Maseches Yevamos (62b) tells that Rabbi Akiva had 24,000 students who all died from a dreadful disease during a single period — th...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 37 continued on page 38 Synagogue Directory CONSERVATIVE Adat Shalom Synagogue Farmington Hills (248) 851-5100 adatshalom.org Ahavas Israel Grand Rapids (616) 949-2840 ahavasisraelgr.org Congregation Beth Ahm West Bloomfield (248) 851-6880 cbahm.org Beth Israel Flint (810) 732-6310 cbiflint.org Congregation Beth Shalom Oak Park (248) 547-7970 congbethshalom.org Beth Tephilath Moses Mt. Clemens (586) 996-3138 bethteph...…

…Shomrey Emunah Southfield (248) 559-1533 congregation-shomrey- emunah-105705.square.site The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.net Woodward Avenue Shul Royal Oak (248) 414-7485 thewas.net Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org Young Israel of Southfield (248) 358-0154 yisouthfield.org RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Kehillat Israel Lansing (517) 882-0049 kehill...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 39 F or most people, the mention of Albert Einstein conjures up the scientist with wild white hair who developed the theory of relativity. But not many know that during his early years in America as a refugee from Nazi Germany, he befriended Marian Anderson, a Black vocalist who, despite her fame, was denied a hotel stay after her 1937 performance to an all-white audience at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre. This litt...…

…40 | APRIL 29 • 2021 ARTS&LIFE FILM F rom a documentary about finding and remotely circulating priceless historical documents to a fictional comedy about bumbling bank robbers, this year’s Lenore Marwil Detroit Jewish Film Festival, run- ning May 2-23, offers virtual viewers a variety of cinematic themes and relevant speakers. On the serious end of the spectrum, From Cairo to the Cloud: The World of the Cairo Geniza explains ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 41 thing the collection contains — prayer books, rabbinic texts, Biblical texts, person- al letters, commercial lists, compositions by people like Maimonides, Judah Halevi poetry, marriage documents and exercises for children learning how to write.” All the documents remain in their original languages, whether Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic or Judeo-Arabic for scholars to translate. “ A major point [in the collection] ...…

…42 | APRIL 29 • 2021 LAG B’OMER BASH 8 PM, APRIL 29 Join The Well, Hillel of Metro Detroit and NEXTGen Detroit at Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit for food, fire, archery, arts and crafts, as well as a bar for 21+ guests. The evening will be entirely outdoors, socially distant and kept to a limited capacity. If you can’t partake in person, get a Lag b’Omer kit for your very own bonfire at home and a Zoom link to join remotely....…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 43 Engagement in Palestine and Beyond” is a Zoom presentation by the University of Michigan Frankel Center for Judaic Studies. Editors Leila Farsakh and Bashir Bashir will be in conversation with contributor Moshe Behar and Nadia Fadil. Advance registration required: JudaicStudies@umich.edu. MENTAL HEALTH 3:30-4:30 PM, MAY 5 Jewish Family Service will present Dr. Jeffrey London as he provides an overview of ps...…

…A s parents and spouses age, the pos- sibility of running into a situation where you either become a care- giver yourself or need to find a caregiver is something many people may encounter. A caregiver is a family member or paid helper who helps take care of a sick, elderly or disabled individual. While caregiving may feel like a scary or uncertain experi- ence, many resources are available in the local Jewish community that can help m...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 45 continues. “ A consultation is helpful for difficult situations like, ‘How do we help some- one stop driving?’ or if some- one needs to move. ” JFS coaches caregivers on how to find a community that will meet their loved one’s needs, among other topics that some may not feel equipped to handle on their own. For those without next steps lined up for caregiving, the Geriatric Care Management program also offers ...…

…46 | APRIL 29 • 2021 continued from page 45 ply taking time for oneself in the midst of caring for another. Caregivers can also access JFS’ caregiving support programs, which include group health coaching classes that cover top- ics like how to talk to physicians, problem-solving and making tough decisions. “This can all be overwhelming when you’re providing care for someone else, ” Breuer says. “These classes focus on helping peo...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 47 Smoler Smiles and his dedicated dental team provides world class care in your own neighborhood. Dr. Bruce Smoler’s Robotic-Assisted Dental Implant procedures ensure a highly accurate and desired implant placement. It is the first and only FDA- cleared robotic device in the world to assist with dental implant surgery. This minimally invasive, time-saving approach is more precise than the human hand. Patients ben...…

…48 | APRIL 29 • 2021 HEALTH I t’s traditional therapy with a twist. By combining cooking with talk therapy, Culinary Art Therapy gives people a chance to boost their wellness through a fun and creative outlet. Founded by West Bloomfield-based therapist Julie Ohana, 42, Culinary Art Therapy was an idea she developed about 17 years ago while attending the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York City. She ...…

…APRIL 29 • 2021 | 49 Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC TheEyelidExperts .com/DJN 800-245-8075 10 Locations Across Mid & Southeast Michigan! We specialize in cosmetic eyelid surgeries, forehead lifting, lower eyelid “bags” removal, and surgical management of disease such as drooping eyelids (ptosis), eyelid reconstruction and more. Frank Nesi, MD | Geoffrey Gladstone, MD | Evan Black, MD | Francesca Nesi-Eloff, MD...…

…50 | APRIL 29 • 2021 connection to,” Ohana says. “That really helps to elicit a certain emotion from the client and gives me a certain point of how to put together the session.” From there, Ohana devel- ops a suggested menu, pro- vides the recipes and creates a shopping list. Then, she cooks with her clients. Before the pandem- ic, cooking sessions were in-person. Now, she’s pivoted to virtual sessions held over Zoom that typicall...…