…JUNE 22 • 2023 | 51 continued on page 52 Contributions may be made to the Zekelman Holocaust Center or to the Hidden Child Foundation at the Anti-Defamation League. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. JEREMY MARGOLIS, 54, of Bloomfield Hills, died June 14, 2023. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Alan Baum; brothers and sis- ter-in-law, Bruce and Michelle Margolis, Steven Margolis; many loving nieces, nephew...…
…52 | JUNE 22 • 2023 continued from page 51 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY special thanks to the dedicated caregivers and administrators of Fleishman Residence and Jewish Senior Life. Dr. Raznik was the beloved husband for 68 years of the late Geraldine Raznik; loving son of the late Joseph and the late Fayge Raznik; dear broth- er and brother-in-law of the late Eva and the late Hyman Bryman, the late Mollie and the late Bernie Gas...…
…JUNE 22 • 2023 | 53 B en Helfgott, one of two known Holocaust survivors to go on to compete in the Olympics, died Friday, June 15, 2023, at 93. Helfgott survived the Holocaust as a teenager, and he went on to become a champion weightlifter and a champion of Holocaust education. He was knighted in 2018. “Sir Ben Helfgott was one of the most inspirational people I have known,” said Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, according to L...…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org 54 | JUNE 22 • 2023 I recently wrote about Israeli leaders who have visited Detroit. I promised to write more about Dr. Chaim Weizmann coming to town. Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952) was the first president of Israel. More important than that prestigious honor, however, is the fact that he took up the Zionist cause after ...…
…GOING OUT OF TOWN? Offers Forwarding and Hold Services! While USPS will forward your general mail quickly, periodicals and newspapers sometimes take 60 days for forwarding. Avoid service disruption by updating your information with The Detroit Jewish News as soon as possible. Requests can be submitted anytime in advance up to a week prior of publish date. Requests submitted past then will be processed for the following publish date (...…
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…6 | JUNE 22 • 2023 1942 - 2023 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: Detro...…
…DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com JUNE 22• 2023 | 7 other groups, committed to its destruction.” This dramatizes the value of the IHRA definition, which recognizes that (1) under antisemitism’s previous mutations Jews were regularly demonized as bloodthirsty baby-killers; (2) with antisemitism’s current mutation, which incorporates anti-Zionism, antisem...…
…8 | JUNE 22 • 2023 PURELY COMMENTARY opinion We Must Support the White House’s National Strategy on Antisemitism O n May 25 — when many people had their eyes on the Memorial Day weekend — the White House made his- tory. It released the first-ev- er National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. There are those who downplayed the action, and some who even dismissed it entirely. But take it from me, someone who deals with anti...…
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…$200 June 15-21, 2023 / 26 Sivan – 2 Tammuz 5783 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com New Community Mikvah Center Bais Chabad Torah Center invites Detroit’s Jewish community to the grand opening of the Mallor Walder Mikvah Center. See page 14 …
…10 | JUNE 15 • 2023 PURELY COMMENTARY T he CUNY School of Law’s commencement speaker Fatima Mohammed could be a contestant in a sordid game of how many antisemitic slurs can be packed into one speech. In her May 12 address, Mohammed compared Jews to Nazis and called for the mass slaughter of Jews via the destruction of Israel. Both are explicit violations of the widely adopted IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. Thes...…
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…12 | JUNE 15 • 2023 PURELY COMMENTARY Student’s Corner My Judaism E ver since I was old enough to comprehend religion, ethnicity and identity, I embraced my connection to Judaism and feminism. It was not until I began high school that I started to see the intersection between these parts of my iden- tity. Experiencing something that helped me to understand the many facets of Judaism and the complex histo- ry of feminism in Am...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 13 …
…OUR COMMUNITY 14 | JUNE 15 • 2023 ON THE COVER …
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 15 T he Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield is inviting the wider Detroit Jewish community to the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Mallor Walder Mikvah Center on Sunday, June 18. The center is comprised of three mik- vahs — the Saul Saulson Men’s Mikvah, the Zekelman Family Keilim (vessels) Mikvah and, what Rabbi Shneur Silberberg, co-rabbi of the Chabad shul, affectionately calls the “crown ...…
…OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 15 16 | JUNE 15 • 2023 ON THE COVER he wondered how to mark this mile- stone birthday. “I thought, ‘What would the Rebbe want me to do?’” Rabbi Silberberg said. “The Rebbe had described the women’s mikvah as the bedrock foun- dation of every Jewish home, and I concluded that he would want me to make a beautiful mikvah for our community that has more than qua- drupled in size.” NEW MEETS OLD DESIGN...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 17 17 | JUNE 15 • 2023 COURTESY OF BAIS CHABAD The Zekelman Family Keilim (vessel) Mikvah where new dishes and kitchenware are immersed before usage. …
…continued from page 16 said of his bar mitzvah. Now, decades later, he was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps, with his right-hand man Zev Goldner, the Silberbergs, Bais Chabad Administrator Rabbi Avraham Wineberg and the team of mashgichim (religious supervisors), professionals and community members who lent their time, expertise and opinions so that this mikvah would be extra special. ...…
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…20 | JUNE 15 • 2023 continued from page 18 ON THE COVER OUR COMMUNITY vah and keilim mikvah are not actually functioning yet. “The next decent rainstorm should be enough to put us into business!” said Rabbi Shneur. “Operating our mikvah will require all hands on deck … Spearheaded by Laya Kleinman and Elisheva Shomer, oper- ational plans are already in place.” Zeesy, in particular, is excited to be an ambassador for this mitzvah...…
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…OUR COMMUNITY I t was a whirlwind 48 hours when professionals from our local Jewish service agencies touched down in Baltimore on a trip dubbed the “Executive Expedition.” The goal of the trip was for agency pro- fessionals to visit a city that offered different program- ming to their Jewish commu- nity. Baltimore was chosen because it is a similar in size to Metro Detroit with unique offerings the professionals were eager to learn ...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 23 ON THE GROUND IN BALTIMORE Trip participants included Perry Ohren of Jewish Family Service, Paul Blatt of Gesher Human Services, Shaindle Braunstein of JARC, Bassie Shemtov of Friendship Circle, Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of the Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network; Nancy Heinrich of Jewish Senior Life, Daniella Mechnikov of Yad Ezra and Tzadok Eliyahu of Detroit Chesed. Brian Rothenberg, CEO Steven Ingber and Schnaa...…
…OUR COMMUNITY A fter 58 years at the Ira Kaufman Chapel, David Techner, 71, has decided it’s time for a change. “It’s time. I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s time for a change for the chap- el and for me,” he explains. Techner will now be Ira Kaufman’s Funeral Director Emeritus, continuing to work onsite and at some funerals but not personally handling all the chapel’s 24/7 opera- tions and funeral arrange- ments. Co-owner J...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 25 who live out of town and hope to visit them more often. David Techner has been very active in the Jewish community and is especially proud of being a founder of Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, which helps patients and families with chronic illnesses and end-of- life support. He initiated a project with the Wayne County medical examiner, along with other local funeral directors and cemeteries, to help wit...…
…OUR COMMUNITY A longtime Top-40, rock ’n’ roll DJ, my dad once single-handedly halt- ed an unruly crowd at a Beatles concert, warning that the show would not go on if they if they couldn’t control the uproar. On the flip side, he was a member of Detroit’s Orthodox Jewish community. His radio station contracts specified that he did not work on Shabbat. He also recited morning prayers in a private cor- ner of the studio during newsb...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 27 Arriving at school that day to classmates asking about my gift was the first realization that people beyond my family and close friends knew of my father. HIS GROWING UP YEARS My dad grew up in the small, largely non-Jewish town of Kittanning, Penn., contracting polio in a neighborhood swim- ming pool when he was 8. He recalled overhearing his dad say he would never walk again. Optimistic and determined, he say...…
…OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 27 28 | JUNE 15 • 2023 never embarrassed, never making excuses. If he limped, he limped. If couldn’t run the bases, he stood still and played catch with us. When his legs wouldn’t allow him to carry us as kids, he made games out of lifting us over his head with his astonishingly strong arms. He did everything in his power to use the strength he had but was accepting of whatever help it took for ...…
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…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-12 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 14 New Community Mikvah Center Bais Chabad Torah Center invites the community to the grand opening. 22 The Executive Expedition Detroit Jewish agency professionals visit Baltimore. 24 Ira Kaufman Chapel Plans Leadership Transition David Techner shifts to emeritus status at Ira Kaufman Chapel. 26 My Dad Was...…
…OUR COMMUNITY O n May 21, com- munity members gathered to celebrate the dedication of the Chabad Jewish Center of Troy’s new Torah scroll. The celebration began with a ceremony at Riverside Park in Auburn Hills where community member Joy Silverstein, who gave the lead gift to sponsor the Torah, spoke to the crowd. Silverstein said how special it is that she’s able to have such an impact and to pass the spark of the torch of Ju...…
…Legal Guide JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT SPECIAL SECTION …
…32 | JUNE 15 • 2023 These LEADING LAWYERS have been recommended by their peers to be among the TOP LAWYERS in Michigan TOP LAWYERS DETROIT METRO AREA BASED UPON A SURVEY OF THEIR PEERS Jesse M. Reiter ABC Law Centers (Reiter & Walsh PC) Bloomfield Hills 248.593.5100 Personal Injury: Professional Malpractice Jennifer M. Grieco Altior Law PC Birmingham 248.372.9884 Commercial Litigation; Insurance Coverage: Consumer Insureds; Prof’l M...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 33 Michael B. Stewart Fishman Stewart PLLC Troy 248.594.0633 Copyright/Trademark; Intellectual Property; Patent Ann Marie Uetz Foley & Lardner LLP Detroit 313.234.7114 Bankruptcy/Workout: Commercial; Commercial Litigation; Creditor Rights/Commercial Collect Matthew A. Fraiberg Fraiberg & Pernie PLLC Birmingham 248.837.2399 Criminal Defense: DUI; Criminal Defense: Felonies/Misdemeanors David A. Franklin Franklin L...…
…34 | JUNE 15 • 2023 Michael V. Kell Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC Royal Oak 248.723.0480 Commercial Litigation; ADR: Commercial Litigation; Products Liability Defense Rodger A. Kershner Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC Royal Oak 248.723.0421 Energy; Mergers/Acquisitions; Public Utilities Bradley J. Knickerbocker Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC Royal Oak 248.723.0427 Commercial Litigation; Real Estate: Commercial; RE: Finance; Securit...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 35 A lawyer CANNOT buy the distinction of Leading Lawyer. The distinction was earned by being among those lawyers most often recommended by their peers. For a full description of our research process, a complete list of all Leading Lawyers, and to view profiles of the lawyers listed on this page, go to www.LeadingLawyers.com A Division of Law Bulletin Media—est. 1854 Irika N. Mellin Mellin Robinson PC Troy 248.614.9...…
…36 | JUNE 15 • 2023 continued on page 38 J ewish Family Service’s Legal Referral Service, (LRS) now in its 15th year of operation, continues to steadily and quietly provide top-notch pro bono attorneys and make a profound impact on the lives of many people in need. Since its inception, the program has amassed an army of all- volunteer attorneys who have assisted more than 2,000 clients and provided over $10 million of p...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 37 Protect yourself, your children, and your financial future. ANNETTE BENSON LAW 30800 Telegraph Rd. • Suite 2720 • Bingham Farms, MI 48025 AnnetteBensonLaw.com | 248.646.2600 DIVORCE | CUSTODY | POST JUDGMENT MODIFICATION AND ENFORCEMENT As the daughter of Jewish immigrants, I learned the importance of perseverance, self- advocacy, and integrity. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a lawyer — the strong voi...…
…38 | JUNE 15 • 2023 abuse. Lakeshore assists JFS clients by cutting red tape and shortening wait times, as well as providing JFS social workers with training in eviction prevention, family law and housing benefits. HAVEN staff trains JFS staff on domestic abuse assess- ments and often accompany JFS clients to court in situa- tions where a client’s abuser is due to be in court with the client. But aside from the local accolades an...…
…40900 Woodward Ave. #111 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 248-594-2600 • schefmanlaw.com The Face of Personal Injury Law & Insurance Recovery Over 40 years of successfully representing injured clients and medical providers throughout Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Traumatic Brain Injuries • No-Fault Insurance Claims • Medical Malpractice • Medicare Eligible Claims We’ll tell YOUR story — a...…
…4 | JUNE 15 • 2023 essay On Strengthening Israel-Diaspora Relations T he Jewish people are not a monolithic group, contrary to popular belief and perception. We are certainly not “all the same.” A multitude of backgrounds, traditions and upbringings over the past 5,000 years has created numerous groupings and unique individual stories. Yet all Jews, especially those in the diaspora, must deal with the question of how to re...…
…Legal Guide JBAM Awards PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMIE FELDMAN 40 | JUNE 15 • 2023 Several JBAM board members and officers including Michael Feldman, Frank Mamat, Past President Ellie Mosko, Joseph Phillips, Executive Vice President Jordan Zuppke, Vice President of Finance Andrew Cohen, President Nargiz Nesimova and Vice President of Communication David Sachs. T wo judges were honored by the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan (JBAM) on May 22...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 41 Judge Marla Parker accepts the Avern Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award from her longtime friend Judge Michelle Friedman Appel. Judge Appel noted that as teens, she was the president of her BBG group while Marla was the president of the entire Michigan B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. “ANYONE WHO HAS EVER INTERACTED WITH MARLA HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNI- TY TO EXPERIENCE THE INFINITE NATURE OF HER KINDNESS, JOY, COMPASSION AN...…
…continued from page 41 42 | JUNE 15 • 2023 Legal Guide “JAMIE LOVED HIS JOB, NOT FOR THE PERKS AND PRESTIGE, BUT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CAME BEFORE HIM … ALWAYS SEEKING TO INSTRUCT, TO GUIDE, TO HEAL. I HAVE NEVER MET AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SERVED IN A JUDICIAL CAPACITY WHO POSSESSED THE LEVEL OF HUMILITY OF JAMIE WITTENBERG.” Past JBAM President Ellie Mosko receives the Volunteer of the Year Award from...…
…Serling & Abramson, P.C. Attorneys at Law | Asbestos Specialists 2 8 0 N . O L D W O O D W A R D , S U I T E 4 0 6 • B I R M I N G H A M , M I 4 8 0 0 9 | 2 4 8 - 6 4 7- 6 9 6 6 www.serlinglawpc.com In 1975 Michael Serling founded the firm currently known as Serling & Abramson, P.C. Michael pioneered asbestos litigation in Michigan by filing the first mesothelioma case in our state. Over the past five decades the firm has developed ...…
…44 | JUNE 15 • 2023 ABRAHAMS LAW 31550 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (248) 538-2900 www.abrahamslaw.com jda@abrahamslaw.com Jonathan Abrahams, founder of Abrahams Law, is a lifelong Detroit guy with a passion for helping others. For over 30 years he has been a part of countless auto accident injury cases, fighting for his clients to get all the assistance and benefits they are entitled to ...…
…JUNE 15 • 2023 | 45 LEVY & ASSOCIATES 28400 Southfield Road Lathrup Village, MI 48076 (313) 447-1704 www.levytaxhelp.com Levy & Associates is a full- service tax resolution, audit defense and accounting services firm. Our team has decades of experience and includes CPAs, accountants, attorneys, enrolled agents and former IRS revenue officers. Emphasizing the importance of customer service, Levy & Associates is committe...…
