…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 53 Partly this has deep roots in the Jewish understanding of God and the human condition. Judaism is less a religion of holy people and holy places than it is a religion of holy words. God created the universe by words: “And God said, Let there be … and there was.” God reveals himself in words. He spoke to the patriarchs and the prophets and at Mount Sinai to the whole nation. Our very humanity has to do with o...…
…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 ...…
…56 | APRIL 11 • 2024 J N ARTS&LIFE COMEDY Michael Rapaport: live and uncensored in the D. ‘The Inflamed Ashkenazi’ JULIE SMITH YOLLES CONTRIBUTING WRITER Michael Rapaport on stage in Chicago. JANET M. TAKAYAMA/FACEBOOK …
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 57 I t’s just before Shabbat in Tel Aviv when Michael Rapaport calls from his hotel to talk all-things Jewish, Israel and comedy. And while the prolific actor, influencer and podcaster will tell you that there’s absolutely nothing funny about the war in Israel, he hopes that his brand of edgy humor will provide a little relief to Michigan audiences when he performs four standup comedy shows April 18-20 at the Ema...…
…58 | APRIL 11 • 2024 J N I n her acting career portraying many characters, Amanda Buchalter has taken on roles that have included a mouse and a human with wolfish tenden- cies. This season, she gets to be a squirrel in a play that tells a story as animals depict human issues through a cast numbering eight. The Michigan premiere of The Squirrels presents a dark comedy by Robert Askins, who wrote the Tony Award-nominated play Hand ...…
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 59 PASSOVER SYL-LA-CROS-TIC Place the syllables in the box in the correct order to fill in the blanks. JUST FOR FUN 1. Have a happy holiday (Hebrew) ____ ____ ____ ____ 2. Happy Passover (Ladino) ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 3. Piece of matzah that is ____ ____ ____ ____ hidden during the seder 4. Hebrew for “four cups” ____ ____ ____ ____ 5. Hebrew for “egg” ____ ____ 6. Hebrew for “enough for us” ____ ____ ...…
…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 | APRIL 11 • 2024 J N BEING A JEW; ANOTHER “NASTY” HIP CLOTHIER; SUPERMAN PREVIEW? MORE This week, I am catching- up with two HBO programs that recently began streaming: Alex Edelman: Just for Us (April 6) and “Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion (April 9). Edelman, a stand-up comedian, was born and raised in a Modern Orthodox home in the Boston area. After high school, he spent a year in a Jerusalem yeshivah and, ...…
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 61 J N CONCERT EVENT 7:30 PM, APRIL 11 (THURS.) At the Berman Center for Performing Arts. Tickets $25- $45. Host Benji Rosenzweig will navigate audiences through timeless tales and context as we share the Jewish narrative of the Beatles in this two-part con- cert event. Intermixed within the stories, Soulfarm will lend their music stylings and play some of your favorite Beatles tunes. Part two of the evening is c...…
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…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 63 HENRY BECHEK, 85, of Orchard Lake, died March 31, 2024. Mr. Bechek is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda Bechek; daugh- ters and sons-in-law, Lorrie Bechek, Abby Bechek and Dave Tomaszewski, and Cathy and John Gifford; grand- children, Jasmine and Adam Kennedy, Shiloh Bechek, Jackson Gifford, James Bechek, and Cassidy Gifford; great-grandchildren, Henley Kennedy and Brier Kennedy; brother-in-law, Carl...…
…64 | APRIL 11 • 2024 D r. Michael Sherwin Parr, 82, of Sacramento, Calif., formerly of Detroit, died on March 25, 2024. Born in Detroit, Michael grew up surrounded by a lot of family as well as close friends who remain so to this day. He was quite an accomplished athlete, playing various sports. As a teenager, Michael went to work in his father’s dry-cleaning business, Parr French Cleaners, in Detroit. In 1958, Michael graduat...…
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 65 J N Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, yadezra.org/donate; American Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076, cancer.org; or American Heart Association, 26555 Evergreen Road, Suite 570, Southfield, MI 48076, heart.org/en/affiliates/michi- gan/detroit. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. DEE DEE HO...…
…66 | APRIL 11 • 2024 J N MEGHAN KORCHAK, 46, of Oak Park, died April 1, 2024. Ms. Korchak is survived by her parents, Martin and Bonnie Korchak; brothers and sis- ter-in-law, Paul and Tamara Korchak, and Jeremy Korchak; aunts and uncles, Randie and Charlie Federman, and Susie and Garry Borin; many loving relatives and friends. She was the dear sister of the late Drew Korchak; the loving niece of the late Jerry Korchak. Interm...…
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 67 J N a great-grandmother. Frances will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her sis- ter, Marilyn Hoskow; broth- er-in-law, Jerold Hoskow; children, Kenneth (Janisse Nagel), Steven (Julie) and Julie (Brian Weisberg); grandchil- dren, Melissa (Kevin Patrick), Lauren (Evan Tarshish), Haley, Kevin, Matthew (Allie Page), Kenna and David; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Noa; many loving nieces and neph...…
…68 | APRIL 11 • 2024 J N grandchildren, Samuel Myers and his fiancee, Hayley McNitt, Jacob Myers, Justin and Hien Myers, and Jonathan Myers and his fian- cee, Agustina Bonaventura; great-granddaughter, Nhien Myers; sister, Fayne Petok; sister-in-law, Marcia Tanzman; daughter-in-law, Denise (Kenneth) Brown. He is also survived by his devot- ed caregiver, David Rutledge; and many loving nieces and nephews. Mr. Meyers was the belo...…
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 69 J ames C. Schmidt, 83, beloved husband, cherished father, treasured grandfather, adoring great-grandfather and esteemed psychologist, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 1, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of warmth, wisdom and boundless love. Raised in Detroit with his devoted brother, Bob (MyLe) Schmidt, and loving sister, Gaye Tillman, Jim offered the ultimate example of a li...…
…DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com APRIL 11 • 2024 | 7 J N thejdetroit.org/filmfestival …
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at thejewishnews.com 70 | APRIL 11 • 2024 J N The Legacy of Gardner-White I f you have lived in Metro Detroit for a few years, unless you have never read a newspaper or received mail at your home or have never watched TV or listened to the radio or recently attended Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then it might be possible that you’ve ne...…
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 31 …
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…8 | APRIL 11 • 2024 J N W ho is today’s wise child? Today’s wicked child? Some six months after Oct. 7, with Jewish children and adults still held hostage, with antisemitism on the rise around the world and with the Jewish State fighting a war of self- defense, seder nights will soon arrive to ask Jewish families once again to apply the paradigm of oppres- sion and redemption to our contemporary experience. To proceed with...…
…APRIL 11 • 2024 | 9 J N JOIN US! LUNCH & LEARN EVENT WEDNESDAY, MAY 22ND 12:00 - 2:00PM LONGACRE HOUSE 24705 FARMINGTON ROAD, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48336 Join us for a special lunch and learn event with Rose Senior Living Farmington Hills, a brand-new senior living community in your neighborhood. Learn about Rose Senior Living and the benefits of joining our Founders Club! RSVP by Thursday, May 16th by calling (248) 850-1351 ...…
…$200 April 4-10, 2024 / 25 Adar II-2 Nissan, 5784 $200 April 4-10, 2024 / 25 Adar II-2 Nissan, 5784 JEWISH NEWS JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com A Happy Note Note University of Michigan freshman Ella Blank’s passions include sports, music and helping others — and her parents have a great story to tell. See page 48 …
…10 | APRIL 4 • 2024 Below is a letter I sent to Dr. Santo J. Ono, president of the University of Michigan, on Monday, March 25. D ear President Ono, I write to you today about my experi- ence from the 101st Honors Convocation at the University of Michigan held at Hill Auditorium on March 24, 2024. I write as an alumnus of the University of Michigan (LSA ’91), as a parent of a member of the University of Michigan Class of 202...…
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…12 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N continued on page 14 Roeper of cials work with ADL for solutions to ease tensions regarding Israel-Hamas war. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER OUR COMMUNITY Opening a Dialogue T he Roeper Upper School began to take positive steps forward to open dialogue and discussion and ease tensions between students after it was revealed to the JN that a group of students began creating inflammatory posters about...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 13 …
…14 | APRIL 4 • 2024 bites and catchphrases they have seen on social media. Both professors see this as a symptom that many young peo- ple are increasingly relying on brief social media posts rather than deeper analyses found in mainstream media or books. They quickly form opinions rather than take time to form them based on critical thinking and learning. “What these posters indi- cate to me here is that students are being confr...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 15 64 | MARCH 28 • 2024 JUST FOR KIDS G azelles are medium-sized antelopes found in Africa and Asia. They are noted for their graceful stride as well as for their beauty. The gazelle has large black eyes, a variety of stripes and markings that complement their tan-buff coats, and beautiful ringed horns. The coloration of gazelles, as well as the open areas in which they live, make them very conspicuous. Their horns ...…
…16 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N Bais Chabad of West Bloomfi eld Bais Chabad of West Bloomfi eld leads solidarity mission. leads solidarity mission. A Mission to Remember OUR COMMUNITY Noah and Aviel Miller of Bloomfield Hills are in prayer at the Western Wall. …
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 17 J N continued on page 18 A delegation of 20 people from Bais Chabad of West Bloomfield (members and friends) traveled to Israel on a solidarity mission from March 3-10, led by me. We were joined by 20 others from Chabad houses in Westchester and Midsuffolk, New York, as well as a group from Bethesda, Maryland. The six- day mission was focused primarily on meeting with as many people as possible and sha...…
…18 | APRIL 4 • 2024 now a massive operation which has brought in and distributed $75 million worth of clothing and materials. We helped sort through shoes, sweaters and coats. That evening, we visited the Kotel. Somehow, our holiest site, which usually provides such comfort, inspiration and joy, simply brought out a more painful, heartfelt prayer for salvation. The words we said together as a group, “I raise my eyes to the skie...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 19 in my life, and it highlights just how awful, terrible and deeply painful the attack at Nova was. Rami became a go-to number (he pulled out his phone to show the 4,000 messages) on that fateful day for young men and women hiding in trenches, behind trees and under dead bodies, to reach out beseeching to be rescued, and Rami did just that. Going back and forth, time and again, each time directly into the line ...…
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…20 | APRIL 4 • 2024 Visiting Chevron is always a highlight. We prayed at the gravesites of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rivkah and Leah, beseeching that they help bring home their captive grandchildren, and help bring healing, comfort and strength to their beleaguered descendants. We handed out pizza vouchers as well as handwritten cards from Hillel Day School and Detroit Cheder children. One soldier held up a card he recei...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 21 J N F rankel Jewish Academy’s Performing Arts Department is proud to present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. and Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. This multiple Tony Award- winning musical comedy instantly spells E-N-T-E-R- T-A-I-N-I-N-G, as six quirky adolescent overachievers go head-to-head with each othe...…
…22 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N T he Barbara and Douglas Bloom Matzah Factory, under auspices of JFamily, will again offer educational fun to excite members of the Detroit Jewish community about the coming Passover holiday. The Matzah Factory, started at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Metropolitan Detroit — now “The J-Detroit” — was always a favorite program of its co-founder, community leader Douglas Bloom. The former JCC pre...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 23 Barbara and Douglas Bloom Matzah Factory Two family programs are scheduled. 3-5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at The J-Detroit (formerly the JCC) in West Bloomfield. Matzah Factory, geared toward ages 4-8, will feature these activities: • Passover play, matzah- making and baking with Rabbi Shneur Silberberg • Hands-on experiences and crafts around the seder plate Mini Matzah Factory, geared toward ages 0-4, will ...…
…24 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N I n a heartwarming display of empathy and initiative, a group of second- grade students at Farber Hebrew Day School has taken it upon themselves to be pioneers, developing a student- driven recess program centered around inclusion and kindness that they call “Kidz Fun.” Led by their compassion and a desire to make a difference, these young leaders are proving that age is no barrier to creating positive change...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 25 J N J FS will have a presence at a local benefit con- cert to raise money for young musicians and raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. The benefit concert takes place Sunday, April 14, at the First Presbyterian Church in Royal Oak. The concert event starts at 3 p.m. The event is being orga- nized by Mary Robertson to benefit the Berkley Instrumental Boosters in her late daughter Alyssa’s memo...…
…26 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N OUR COMMUNITY T he Common Bond Institute and Michigan State University Dept. of Psychiatry will present “The 3rd Side,” a two-day nonpartisan conference April 13-14 at MSU that aims to raise public aware- ness and support for the many grassroots Palestinian/Israeli peace-building partnerships actively working on the ground in the region. The free conference is a hybrid in-person/virtual event that has ...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 27 …
…28 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N faces&places T he Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity Leadership Academy had an incredible kickoff on Feb. 29. The first class dealt with the history of Black and Jewish relations, and future classes will deal with antisemitism, racism, the Holocaust, Israel, the civil rights movement, slavery and other topics. All together, there will be six sessions, ending in May. The goal is to impart relevant and interes...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 29 J N R epair the World Detroit PeerCorps Teens had a mean- ingful Elu V’ Elu, a learning session where they talked about racial justice at the intersection of food security through the lens and value of Kavod Habriyot, preciousness of each human. The event took place at Yad Ezra, the Jewish food pantry. After the learning session, attendees “turned skills into ser- vice” by finding out how to make body butter to be di...…
…APRIL 4 • 2024 | 3 J N PURELY COMMENTARY 4-11 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 12 Opening a Dialogue Roeper officials work with ADL for solutions to ease tensions regarding Israel-Hamas war. 16 A Mission to Remember Bais Chabad of West Bloomfield leads solidarity mission. 21 FJA Performing Arts Department Presents ... The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee April 17-18. 22 Get Ready for the Matzah ...…
…30 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N T here’s an entire Talmudic debate about how to best clean for Pesach. Some say you’ve got to lift your entire home with a crane, turn it upside down and shake it free of chametz crumbs. Others say so long as you cannot see the crumbs, you’re totally fine, so they’ve created a loophole involving special-for-Pesach blindfolds. Most folks are somewhere in the middle. They keep their houses firmly rooted in ...…
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…32 | APRIL 4 • 2024 J N P assover, the annu- al celebration of the Exodus from Egypt, is one of Judaism’s most beloved holidays — and also the one that requires the most preparation. The Torah teaches that one should remove leaven or cha- metz (understood by Jewish tradition to mean food that is made from one of five forbid- den grains and food that has been fermented) from one’s home — it should neither be seen nor found in one...…
