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…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 3 contents contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-11 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 12 Sights Set on the Future Temple Shir Shalom embarks on $8.1 million expansion. 16 Days of Memory and Meaning Detroit prepares a community-wide observance of the Israeli “yoms.” 20 Congregation Beth Shalom Continues to Innovate As a pioneering Conservative congre- gation in Oakland County, Beth Shalom...…

…4 | APRIL 21 • 2022 essay The Time to Talk About Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention is Now S ometimes the most difficult issues to face are the ones in the direst need of attention. Child abuse and neglect are indiscrim- inate and complex problems. They seep into every corner of society without regard to race, gender or socioeco- nomic status. They’re also challenging and uncomfort- able topics for many to open- ly discuss because the...…

…6 | APRIL 21 • 2022 PURELY COMMENTARY 1942 - 2022 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...…

…FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY A N N U A LGALA Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Alumni Honoree VADIM AVSHALUMOV '03 Faculty Honoree ERIC RAPP 6:30 pm Strolling Dinner 7:30 pm Gala Program Dessert Reception Following Program Berman Center for the Performing Arts 6600 West Maple Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322 HONORING & Visit frankelja.org/gala for sponsorship information HONORARY COMMITTEE Ruslan Avshalumov | Rachel Avshalumov | Ilana & Adam Block |...…

…8 | APRIL 21 • 2022 essay From Mourning to Meaning: Remembering the Holocaust Today “R emember me,” were the last words that my grandfather, Wolf Gruca (z’l), uttered to my children before he died in 2021 at the age of 101. “Remember” was the chal- lenge Grandpa gave us each Passover when he spoke of his own slavery at the hands of the Nazis. Sadly, not just my Zaydie but also the entire genera- tion of survivors is passing...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 9 We will sing, and we will pray. Most of all, we will ask what our obligations are some 80 years after the close of World War II. For some of us, “Never Again” means making every effort to protect Jewish lives and to embrace Judaism. We help Israel defend itself against terrorism and nucle- ar weapons, and we battle against antisemitism at home and abroad. Our synagogues and our homes offer children and adults...…

…10 | APRIL 21 • 2022 student corner How Do You Represent Judaism? W hen I was 9, I wore a Star of David necklace. It was a nice necklace, and I wore it everywhere, even when I went to the park. I did have an interest- ing experience with it once. I had been playing on the swings when a girl came up to me. She told me my necklace was pretty. I said thank you, then she asked what it was. This ques- tion confused me because I ...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 11 or more home runs. We can’t expect those numbers this year but should next season. I expect that one of them will be the American League’s Rookie of the Year. Greene, a lefthanded batting outfielder, and Torkelson, who played third base before being moved to first base, will replace Miguel Cabrera, who will mainly be a designated hitter. Last season, the Tigers had three players who totaled 67 home runs. Eric...…

…W hen Rabbi Dannel I. Schwartz envi- sioned Temple Shir Shalom’s West Bloomfield building, it was to look like a Torah Scroll. “I wanted it to look like a Torah, but we only had enough funds to make it look like a megillah,” he told the JN in 2013. Now, his vision for Shir Shalom is set to become a reality. Shir Shalom will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its $8.1 million expansion on Sunday, April 24. The ground- breaking e...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 13 FACING PAGE: A rendering of the new outdoor space. TOP: Stained glass at Temple Shir Shalom. ABOVE AND RIGHT: A rendering of the new pre- school. ABOVE RIGHT: Children at Shir Shalom’s preschool. Together,” the eagerly awaited initiative is so far about halfway funded, with fund- ing coming from congregant donations. It is designed to bring Shir Shalom’s preschool on site, as well as to add educational, sanctuary a...…

…continued from page 13 “WE RECOGNIZE THE DYNAMICS ARE CHANGING IN THE JEWISH WORLD … WE WANT TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.” — RABBI MICHAEL MOSKOWITZ 14 | APRIL 21 • 2022 “We’ve gained members in the pan- demic and grown as a community,” Moskowitz explains. “We recognize the dynamics are changing in the Jewish world and the Jewish community, and we want to meet people where they are — our space helps with that as well.” CHANGIN...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 15 utive director, says the pandem- ic gave people an even deeper appreciation for their temple community, and the spaces where they can gather. “The pandemic showed us how much we really like to be together and how tough that was to not be together, ” he says. “This will allow us to be togeth- er for so many more things. ” Ian Sefferman, of Bloomfield Hills, says he’s sure the expansion will help take Shir Sh...…

…16 | APRIL 21 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY W e’re about to cele- brate the “yoms.” Three annual observances in Israel, all start- ing with Yom, meaning “day,” begin the 25th of the Hebrew month of Nisan and continue into the Hebrew month of Iyar. The first day, Yom HaShoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day — takes place April 28. Six days later, May 4, comes another day of mourn- ing and remembrance, Yom HaZikaron — Day of Remembrance. It me...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 17 of Israel,” Leket says. “We’ve been very intentional with our programming. We’re trying to tell a story through the yoms.” A STORY IN THREE OBSERVANCES These three “yoms” tell the story of Israel’s tragedies and triumphs. First observed in 1951 and enacted into law by the Knesset in 1959, Yom HaShoah recalls the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis. Flags are lowered to half-staff, and public places of enter...…

…18 | APRIL 21 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY Independence Day, the presi- dent of Israel honors 120 Israeli soldiers. The International Bible Contest and the awards ceremony for the Israel Prize are held in Jerusalem. Families hang Israeli flags from their bal- conies and cars, enjoy picnics and barbeques and then turn on their TVs to watch the Israel Song Festival. It’s a day of joyful celebration. Lumping the three special days together a...…

…Join Us for the Journey of a Lifetime! March 12 – 21, 2023 It’s on! We’re going back to Israel as a community for the fi rst time in over a decade and want you to join us. Here’s your chance to experience the heart and soul of Israel and the Detroit Jewish community at the same time. With exciting adventures, unique historic visits, fi rst-class accommodations and VIP encounters, whether it’s your fi rst time or next time to Israel, ...…

…20 | APRIL 21 • 2022 SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT C ongregation Beth Shalom is a smaller congregation nestled in southeast Oakland County where, according to Rabbi Robert Gamer, people get the opportunity to know each other. “CBS is a warm, welcoming space where Jews can gather to be them- selves to pray, study and interact with a broad spectrum of people in the Jewish community,” Gamer said. CBS, a Conservative/Masorti con- gregation, i...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 21 2018 serving residents of Huntington Woods and surrounding cities, currently uses CBS’s small chapel for Shabbat morning and holi- day services. KEC is guided by the rabbinic leadership of Rabbi Asher Lopatin. CBS offers daily and hol- iday services, a men’s club, sisterhood, a joint religious school called “Yachad” with Temple Emanu-El, youth programming through Motor City USY, ongoing adult education and a h...…

…22 | APRIL 21 • 2022 C arolyn Koblin, 58, is a JARC board member, “Queen of Trinkets & Trash,” owner of her own company Cueenllc, motivational speaker and so much more. Koblin has been a proud board member for JARC for more than three years. JARC is a nonprofit that serves people with developmental disabilities via group homes, independent living support and in-home respite care. “As long as Carolyn has been on our board, sh...…

…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 booked separately, be sure...…

…24 | APRIL 21 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY M arch not only marked JARC’s annual month-long celebration of National Developmental Disabilities Month, but for Jeff Leventhal, a JARC person served, it marked his 50th birthday. Leventhal has been an active part of the JARC community for nearly 30 years. In that time, he’s made friends with many other persons served, developed strong relationships with staff, enjoyed opportu- nities to get ou...…

…26 | APRIL 21 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY T he Michigan Legislature’s three Jewish members — Rep. Ryan Berman (R, 39th District), Sen. Jeremy Moss (D, 11th District), and Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D, 37th District) are all Oakland County natives with strong Jewish backgrounds. They are a small minority among Michigan’s 110 state representatives and 38 state senators. Moss is the only Jewish state senator and Berman is the only Jewish Rep...…

…ticular legislative interests. Steckloff, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31, seeks to establish parity for insurance coverage of oral and infused cancer medications. During treatment, her insurance wouldn’t cover oral medications, so she had to take time off from work for infusion treatments. Working with Berman, she has also sought to pass bills that would ensure coverage for mammography and baseline cervical cancer sc...…

…OUR COMMUNITY A group of Ukrainian students were scheduled to arrive at Hadassah Youth Aliyah Villages in Israel in September. However, the onset of a vicious and bloody war between Ukraine and Russia pushed them to arrive nearly six months ahead of schedule. As of the most recent count, 21 high school-age Ukrainian teens arrived at Hadassah’s two youth villages, Neurim and Meir Shfeyah, between March and April. Before the wa...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 29 not sending any of them home,” Natan says. Many of these teens, however, no longer have a home, their cities destroyed in the war. Instead, they’ll spend extended time at the villages and, if needed, will receive the support of an Israeli family willing to shelter them if no relatives or family friends are currently in Israel. Typically, youth in these villages experience the benefits of returning home for things l...…

…OUR COMMUNITY F rom April 10-11, Yad Ezra held a drive-thru Passover food distribution for near- ly 1,000 client families in its park- ing lot. The two-day distribution marked the most open Yad Ezra has been since the beginning of the pandemic. The distribution packages included everything one would need for a seder. “The idea is that someone who wasn’t able to go out and purchase it could get this package and have a seder if they...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 31 Milt Neuman, a Yad Ezra board member and volunteer, was grateful to be able to assist in any way he could. “It means everything. You realize how much you have and how grateful you should be that you’re able to sustain yourself, but in the meantime, you’re able to give back to the community and it’s a wonderful mitzvah to do, ” Neuman said. Saree Hantler, who has been volunteering with Yad Ezra since 2009, was...…

…A bad auto accident can change everything in an instant. Metal meets metal, metal meets flesh, flesh meets concrete, and your anticipat- ed future disappears. Before the accident, you had capabilities, competences, plans and hopes that become irrelevant to your new future. From now on, you might need help to get out of bed, get dressed, use the bathroom, eat, drink or even breathe. And a bad auto accident could happen to anyone who...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 33 But under this law Michigan had the highest auto insurance premi- ums in the United States. From the beginning, oppo- nents have tried to repeal expensive provisions of the law, especially mandatory unlim- ited personal injury coverage. After decades of activity, they succeeded. A bipartisan bill offering the option of lower personal injury protection and cutting benefits even to those who opt for unlim- it...…

…34 | APRIL 21 • 2022 “I believe that a refund is warranted if the numbers are actuarially sound and won’t impact patient care, but this money could be used for its intended purpose, patient care. ” Some of the bills to restore coverage have cosponsors from more than half of the legislature, enough support- ers to guarantee passage. However, these bills are bottled up in committee. Insurance Committee Chair Daire Rendon (R) block...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 35 O n a daily basis, Stephanie Zoltowski is the special needs director at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, helping those with autism and other developmental and learning disabilities. That passion, though, doesn’t end with that role. Zoltowski has put her background in those areas to use for the past two years, starting a business that helps train first responders (police, fire departments, emerge...…

…We remember the six million and honor our father, Sandor Adler, who persevered and created a loving family. Nancy & Jeff Adler Sue & Larry Adler Jenifer & Mitch Rosenwasser In memory of our parents, Irving and Broncha Altus, and all those who perished. Never forget. Nancy & Harvey Altus Cathy & Joel Altus Brenda & Mark Altus & all their grandchildren In memory of the six million and in honor of our survivor parents and the l...…

…The Zekelman Holocaust Center Yom HaShoah Commemoration Presented in Cooperation with For more information about the Yom HaShoah Commemoration, please call 248.553.2400 28123 Orchard Lake Road • Farmington Hills, MI 48334 • www.holocaustcenter.org C.H.A.I.M. - Children of Holocaust –Survivors Association In Michigan Hidden Children and Child Survivors Association of Michigan Michigan Jewish Conference Program for Holocaust Survivors and...…

…38 | APRIL 21 • 2022 D uring Chabad’s first year on the Michigan State University cam- pus in the spring of 2019, they held a Shabbat dinner at Spartan Stadium, the first event of its kind in Michigan State’s Jewish history. They did it again on April 8 at Spartan Stadium. “We wanted to do some- thing on campus that everyone walking by and everybody would see — something fun and cool for Jewish pride,” said Simi Shemtov, who, a...…

…DAYS OF MEMORY AND MEANING Yom Hashoah Yom Ha'Atzmaut Yom HaZikaron Join us for a very special community-wide series of Yom events celebrating Israel’s national holidays. Holocaust Remembrance Day Sunday, May 1, 2:30 pm The Zekelman Holocaust Center Take part in this community commemoration by the Holocaust Memorial Center. Attend in person or online at holocaustcenter.org. Free admission and valet parking. For more informati...…

…I ts most popular cookie is the classic Chocolate Chunk, yet Detroit Cookie Co. is also known for Banana Pudding, Raspberry Cheesecake Oreo and B-Special cookies, the latter of which founder and owner Lauren Roumayah calls “an upgraded snickerdoodle. ” Every day, Detroit Cookie Co., which has locations in Ferndale, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, serves up anywhere from 2,000-5,000 baked-fresh cookies. The work begins at 6 a.m., when bak...…

…a shared kitchen space in Southfield. As the business grew, a website was established, and Roumayah began fulfilling catering and wholesale orders, the cookie business got to a point where it needed its own roof over its head. “We worked like that for about two or three years prior to opening our first retail location in Ferndale, ” Roumayah says. The Ferndale flagship opened its doors to the public in 2017, becoming an instant hi...…

…F or all those animal lov- ers out there, NEXTGen Detroit hosted a Snuffle Mat Making event on March 30 at Urbanrest Brewing Company in Ferndale. The event benefited Friends of Animals of Metro Detroit, helping dogs in need. Co-chair of the event Stephanie Hollandar says that a snuffle mat can help dogs in the shelter by teaching them how to be a little more playful. “It’s basically a mat that has a lot of pieces of loose f...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 43 294 E Brown Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009. © 2022 Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are service marks registered or pending registration owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Thank you ...…

…44 | APRIL 21 • 2022 I t’s survived in an era when many recreation slow-pitch softball leagues have contracted or disappeared. It’s powered through a worldwide pandemic, not skipping a beat. It’s time to “Play ball!” in the 27th season of the Inter- Congregational Men’s Club Summer Softball League. Games in the weekly league will begin April 24. Fourteen teams will compete in the league this season, one fewer than last year but en...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 45 quick hits The expansion of the Detroit Catholic League will not have an impact on league member Frankel Jewish Academy. At least for now. Five schools from Toledo, Ohio — Central Catholic, Notre Dame Academy, St. Francis de Sales, St. John’s Jesuit and St. Ursula Academy — joined the league last month and will begin competing as league members in the 2023-24 school year. “They’re all larger schools than u...…

…46 | APRIL 21 • 2022 SPORTS the Greenberg Division and Congregation Shaarey Zedek in the Koufax Division. Rosen Division playoff champion Congregation Shir Tikvah has moved up to the Koufax Division. Temple Israel No. 2 and Shir Tikvah also were regular- season division champions in 2021. Shaarey Zedek went 8-11- 1 during the regular season last year and finished in third place in the five-team Koufax Division, but won five straig...…

…JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT 80 80th th Anniversary Anniversary For those without computer access, please mail the following to 32255 NORTHWESTERN HWY, SUITE 205 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334: • Who is Turning 80? [fi rst/last] • What Day is their Birthday? • Personalized Message and Signature • A picture of the birthday person or business (if you would like the picture returned, please include a stamped return envelope.) • A check ...…

…48 | APRIL 21 • 2022 MAZEL TOV! MARCH 1, 2022 Erin and Daniel Tochen of West Bloomfield are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, Jordan Reid (Yitzchak Reuven). Proud grandparents are Elaine and Barry Margolis of Ann Arbor, and David Tochen and Mary Beth Schiffman of Bethesda, Md. Delighted and blessed great-grandmothers are Maxine Schiffman of Columbus, Ga., and Irene Lusky of West Bloomfield. Also remembered are late grand...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 49 Marcus-Friedman L inda and Harold Friedman are excited to announce the engagement of their daughter Michelle Alyse to Matthew Gregory, son of Nancy and Stephen Marcus of Weston, Fla. Michelle and Matt instantly bonded over their love of out- door adventures, chocolate chip cookies and family. Their favorite outdoor adventure yet was becoming engaged in Badlands National Park in 2020. The happy couple, who re...…

…SPIRIT A Pesach Message T he story of Pesach, of the Exodus from Egypt, is one of the oldest and greatest in the world. It tells of how one people, long ago, experienced oppression and were led to lib- erty through a long and arduous journey across the desert. It is the most dra- matic story of slavery to freedom ever told, one that has become the West’s most influential sourcebook of liberty. “Since the Exodus,” said Heinri...…

…APRIL 21 • 2022 | 51 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 Congregation 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 ...…

…52 | APRIL 21 • 2022 Shomer Israel Oak Park (248) 542-4014 godaven.com Shomrey Emunah Southfield (248) 559-1533 congregation-shomrey- emunah-105705.square.site The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.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 ...…