…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 ...…
…A rtist opportunities are opening up at the Janice Charach Gallery in West Bloomfield with the appointment of Natalie Balazovich as director. The soonest opportunity invites any artist 18 and older to submit works to be con- sidered for the next exhibit, “Flight, ” as long as each work offered sug- gests the theme, has never been shown before, reaches a size no larger than 36” x 36” x 36” and is available for sale. Interested...…
…APRIL 14 • 2022 | 83 said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with different types of artists and developed this extended interest and passion that I never would have had. “With the two current glass shows, glass became one of my favorite artistic materials to observe because it’s so interest- ing what can be done within the medium. For our viewers who also are fans of glass designs, we brought in some smaller pieces to be availabl...…
…84 | APRIL 14 • 2022 AN AMBULANCE AND A HEDGEHOG; MINI-SERIES HERO IS JEWISH; MIRIAM IN A TUB —WHAT? Two big-budget films with a “Jewish connection” opened “wide” last week and are still in theaters: Ambulance, an action-thriller, and Sonic: The Hedgehog 2, a combination animation and live-action film that is appropriate for “children of all ages.” Here’s the capsule plot of Ambulance: William Sharp, an African American war ve...…
…APRIL 14 • 2022 | 85 FARM FESTIVAL 4 PM, APRIL 15 At Andy T’s Farm, 3131 US-127 BUS, St. Johns, MI.; bus pickup will be at 3 pm. Tickets $70 with $1 being donated to savethechildren. org for Ukraine. Get your tickets: posh.vip/e/andy- ts-farm-festival. Concert sponsored by University of Michigan and West Bloomfield resident Jackson Partrich, founder Schlepper Boy Vision, 15 Mile Drive-In and the Schlepper. Available: Merch Colla...…
…86 | APRIL 14 • 2022 SPOTLIGHT T ali Rubenstein, a senior at Groves High School from West Bloomfield and the daughter of a Conservative rabbi and a Jewish educator, went on a journey with Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) flag- ship study abroad program, Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss). One of the most impact- ful programs for Jewish- American high school stu- dents, Muss blends a tradi- tional high school educatio...…
…APRIL 14 • 2022 | 87 household and attending Jewish day school, she dis- covered newfound knowledge while living in Israel for four months. In this time, she was able to take a deep dive into Israel’s immersive culture, with Muss using the Land of Israel as a living and breath- ing classroom. “What impacted me was talking about the political situation on the ground,” she says. “I feel like before, I was sheltered, and I was only ...…
…the exchange community bulletin board | professional services For information regarding advertising please call 248-351-5116 or 248-234-9057 or email salessupport@thejewishnews.com Deadline for ad insertion is 9 a.m. on Friday prior to publication. 88 | APRIL 15 • 2022 Aaron Mendelson Heating and Cooling, LLC. 248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292 License # 7118488 Maintenance, Installation, Repair & Hot Water Heaters Ajmendelson1@gmail.c...…
…OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY continued on page 90 APRIL 14 • 2022 | 89 DAVID BERMAN, 95 of Atlanta, Ga., Florida and for- merly of Detroit, died on March 6, 2022. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Recovered Personnel Detachment Armed Forces Western Pacific. He gradu- ated Wayne State University in 1951 with a degree in pharmacy. While in school, he was president of both Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and Rho Pi...…
…continued from page 89 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 90 | APRIL 14 • 2022 many loving caregivers. Interment took place at Adat Shalom Cemetery in Farmington Hills. Contributions may be made to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society or the Anti- Defamation League-MI. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. WALLACE BRATT, 91, of West Bloomfield, died April 1, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Bratt; son and daughter-in-law, Harry ...…
…continued on page 92 APRIL 14 • 2022 | 91 MD 20872; or University of Michigan, Sarcoma Research at Rogel Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. A funeral service was held at Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Interment took place at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. DR. IRVING M. LEFTON, 94, of Farmington Hills, died March 30, 2022. He is survived by his children, Charles and Hannah...…
…continued from page 91 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY 92 | APRIL 14 • 2022 Mrs. Small is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Richard Small; sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Amy Small, and Scott and Jenny Small; grandchildren, Eliana Small, Jared Small, Jacob Small, Samantha Vine and Evan Vine; brother-in- law, Sheldon Alkon; other loving relatives and friends. Mrs. Small was the dear sister-in-law of the late Lorraine Alk...…
…JTA E stelle Harris, the Jewish actress who played George Costanza’s mother on the sitcom Seinfeld, died April 2, 2022, at the age of 93. Harris played the role of Estelle Costanza, the always shrill and frequently apo- plectic mother to George Costanza, on the sitcom from 1992 until the show’s finale in 1998. According to Deadline, the character of George’s mother was named Estelle before Harris landed the part — but her name w...…
…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org assover begins this Friday. Have you finished your shopping for the holiday? I thought I might help and explore Passover shopping in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History for a few suggestions. I found plenty of Passover ideas. One of the early ads for Passover was in the March 13, 1931, issue o...…
…DON’T PASS US OVER.... Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Passover! The Moving Mavens Roberta "Bert" Nebus, RN, SRES, CNE 248-345-0362 rnebus@gmail.com Andi Sims andicode@gmail.com 248-613-2631 LINDA SINGER Multi-Million Dollar Producer (248) 752-4211 lindasinger@sbcglobal.net DENNIS H. SCHEINFIELD Broker Associate/Associate Manager CBR, SFR Cell (248) 790-7000 supermandenn1@aol.com RUTH KARMEL Associate Broker Cell (248) 408-1745 rut...…
…COOPER GLASS HOMES REALTORS Happy Pesach, fron our families to yours! DANA COOPER & LAURIE GLASS ASSOCIATE BROKERS 248-658-8030 | info@CooperGlassHomes.com | 275 S Old Woodward, Birmingham …
…$200 April 7-13, 2022 / 6-12 Nissan 5782 April 7-13, 2022 / 6-12 Nissan 5782 JEWISH NEWS JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com Universal Language Universal The Metro Detroiter and network of family, friends and strangers band together to assist Afghan refugees. See page 10 $200 April 7-13, 2022 / 6-12 Nissan 5782 $200 April 7-13, 2022 / 6-12 Nissan 5782 JEWISH NEWS …
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…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 3 contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-9 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 10 The Universal Language Metro Detroiter and network of family, friends and strangers band together to assist Afghan refugees. 16 Tikkun Olam in Action Local teens collect supplies for Ukraine. 17 Freedom Stories TKA fundraiser for Ukrainian Relief to feature stories from the Jewish and Black experiences. 18 B...…
…4 | APRIL 7 • 2022 for openers Over and Done With! I n 1917, many an ear caught the bars of “Over There,” a highly patriotic song by George M. Cohan. It was hard to overlook its popularity. It was never considered overdone; however, we can easily make a case for the overuse of “over” in our everyday speech. We are desirous of having roofs over our heads; but to purchase the same, we may get in over our heads. Home costs are ofte...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 5 community update Ukraine, Missions to Israel and You. T his month we are focused on two things: Ukraine and Mission Planning. Our overseas part- ners are briefing us regularly and, in turn, we are work- ing to answer questions and keep the Detroit Jewish commu- nity apprised of the situation in Ukraine. Our hearts are with the many refugees — mainly women, children and the elderly — who have had to leave the...…
…6 | APRIL 7 • 2022 essay Memories of Pesachs Past O n a spring day in the early 1960s, my family arrives at my Bubbie’s small Oak Park home in time to allow my mom to help with the seder prepa- ration. My aunts, uncles and first cousins are also there early. As each family walks in, my Bubbie’s face lights up at the sight of her grandchildren. She stumbles over the list of the names of the grandkinder, “Jeffrey, Freddie, Sand...…
…Through Their Centennial Fund Gift, Debbie and Michael Berger Demonstrate the Power of Vision in Action A s longtime donors, volunteers and leaders, Debbie and Michael Berger represent the full range of involvement and impact in our Jewish community. Debbie is the consummate grassroots volunteer, always willing to roll up her sleeves to do essential ‘on-the-ground’ work, whether it be programming, fundraising for the Annual Camp...…
…8 | APRIL 7 • 2022 student corner Mind and Soul Together F or the last few years, the United States has been polarized with conflict. Both politically and philosophically, it is a fact that the U.S. makes for a country of disagreement in the present. However, this is something that can be fixed and adjusted. Now is the time to do it. As a Hillel student, I have learned so much about repair- ing the broken and healing the vu...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 9 from anxious parents) in the old familiar way, before it later morphed into a newer more melodic tune. “Dayenu” was sung in the well-known tune, although we had shortened the song by then to five or six verses. We all took turns reading from the Haggadah; the kids laughed at the names of the rabbis and younger kids stumbled over the words, but everyone who could read was encouraged to try. And through it all, m...…
…ON THE COVER W hen Metro Detroiter Karen Farber and her husband arrived in Los Angeles in mid-December for their yearly winter trip, she had no idea what was to come. Farber, a semi-retired teacher who has taught 45 years in the Farmington Public Schools district, was visiting her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren as she does every year. But a chance encounter at a hotel barbe- cue turned this trip into an experience of a lifet...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 11 “He and his family were actually at the airport. He was an interpreter for the American soldiers so he was able to get out,” Farber said. “Shafi had videos of the Taliban shooting at the airport and people climbing the walls. He and his family waited in lines for two days, not being able to leave or go to the bath- room and with no food, even with two very small children.” Eventually, Shafi and his family were ...…
…ON THE COVER continued on page 11 12 | APRIL 7 • 2022 be out of here,” Farber said. “They get three months and then they have to find their own apartment, their own job and they’re on their own.” As of late March, the govern- ment was supposed to be giving the refugees an extra few thousand dollars for living expenses, but the resettlement agency had not received that money from the gov- ernment, Farber said. “The only money they’...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 13 Shafi has also been helping the other refugees with their needs as he speaks such good English, Farber added. SHAFI MOVES FORWARD Farber went with Shafi to the bank to help him open an account. One of the bankers, Marge, became interested in Shafi’s journey and wanted to help. Marge had some contacts she wanted Shafi to meet, including a job recruiter and a prominent woman in the com- munity whose husband owns...…
…continued from page 13 14 | APRIL 7 • 2022 his new job, realizing how lucky he is to have one. “I am working every day, all day, ” Shafi said. “I am happy I’m working, I have to support my family, so it’s important for me and I enjoy the job. ” The two families’ children have also connected, not letting the language barrier become an issue. “Shafi’s little boy is 4 years old, and he doesn’t speak a lick of English, none, and you...…
…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 ...…
…OUR COMMUNITY I n response to the crisis in Ukraine, Zach Homer, 16, of Birmingham, and his friends made volunteering their first priority. Even with busy school and sports schedules, he, along with Chase Ben-Ezra, 16, and Luke Linovitz, 15, set aside time to collect items to support those impacted by the ongoing fighting. Together with Ben-Ezra’s father, Steven, they took a U-Haul filled with donated goods to a warehouse in Hamtramck...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 17 — they brought us what we really need,” he explains. MOVED TO ACT Chase Ben-Ezra, of Franklin, says the idea for the donation project came about after he heard about his cousin doing something similar in Connecticut. It inspired him to want to find a local company to partner with in Michigan. “We thought something needed to be done to help [people in Ukraine],” says Ben-Ezra. With the help of his mom, Amy...…
…OUR COMMUNITY W hile bombs explode in Ukraine and people are escaping for their lives, it’s life as usual for those of us in the rest of the world. War can feel very far from our doorsteps … until just a few words manage to make it more personal and heart-wrench- ing. That’s what happened to Oak Park mom Aliza Ancier, who’d seen posts online of people collecting items like toys and clothes for the Ukrainian refugees. It was wh...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 19 OUR COMMUNITY Just five months previous- ly, Ancier had been expect- ing twins. While her son, Yoni, was born healthy, her daughter, Chaya Nechama, was stillborn. “I’d been planning to wear my twins together and didn’t get to … So I decided to donate my baby carriers in honor of my baby daughter,” Ancier said. Ancier also posted on dif- ferent Facebook groups, like the 3,000+ member strong Jewish Moms of Metro ...…
…E ach week, Gerald Freedman, Harold Kulish, David Lippitt and Robert Weitz sit around a table of their chosen dining spot around Metro Detroit to bicker, banter, finish and cut off each other’s sentences. It’s the kind of conversation you can only have with friends you’ve had for more than 75 years. The four men all turn 90 this year. Among the group is a wealth of information and knowledge of history about Detroit’s bygone Jew...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 21 get divorced. But we talk a lot about who has passed on and who is seeing who.” A LONG HISTORY The men grew up in Detroit’s Dexter neighborhood. There, they met in elementary and middle school, played ball, got jobs and all graduated Central High School in 1950. They were active in B’nai B’rith Youth Organization’s Aleph Zadik Aleph No. 63 as teens. All but Kulish graduated from Wayne University, before the ...…
…22 | APRIL 7 • 2022 OUR COMMUNITY W e look forward to having many life cycle conversations with our families … about the person we’ve fallen in love with, about what we might name the baby (G-d willing) or what our retirement plans might look like. But there is one life cycle conversation we do not look forward to having … the one about our wishes for care near the end of life. Despite the fact that this is a vital and straight...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 23 294 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. Supported t...…
…24 | APRIL 7 • 2022 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) 351-5147 for ...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 25 N ineteen seasons. Nine Division 2 state cham- pionships and two run- ner-up finishes. Fourteen trips to the Final Four. Those are the nuts and bolts of Barry Brodsky’s resume as coach of the Birmingham Marian High School girls soccer team. With four consecutive state titles in his back pocket, a streak that was interrupted in 2020 by a season canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brodsky decided late last ...…
…J enna Beltser has always been inspired by the idea of innovation. As the director for the Orthodox Union’s Impact Accelerator, a program that identifies and helps grow new Jewish non- profit organizations, Beltser, 31, of Southfield, seeks out startups that address critical issues in the Jewish community through inno- vative ways. “What I really love about the program is that it inspires inno- vation, ” says Beltser, who helped launc...…
…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...…
…W ith multiple celebrations all happening at the same time — Purim, St. Patrick’s Day and the first round of March Madness — Rabbi Dan Horwitz of Adat Shalom Synagogue had an idea. “Dan came to us with the idea of fusing together these three holidays, ” said Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh, executive director of The Well. Planning meetings and brainstorm- ing ensued, and on March 17, The Well and Adat Shalom Synagogue presented this new Pur...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 29 W hen you conduct a seder, after kiddush, the Mishnah tells us, they bring you “matzah, lettuce, charoset and two cooked dishes” (Pesahim 10:2), what we think of as the “seder plate. ” The Mishnah defines “matzah” (at 2:5) and specifies that lettuce is one of the five varieties of bitter herbs (at 2:6) — but it never defines char- oset. The Talmud tells us what to do with charoset, but it also never tells us w...…
…30 | APRIL 7 • 2022 FOOD M y husband’s friend Tony Baron came to visit with him after his recent knee surgery. I’ve always liked Tony. He is a good guy who is naturally curious; and around me, his questions revolve around food and cooking. These being my favorite subjects, we end up in some focused culi- nary conversations. He stopped by the kitchen to find me prepar- ing different meals for Michael’s recovery. True to form, he stay...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 31 continued on page 32 BABA ROSE’S GEFILTE FISH For the fish stock 8 pounds boned white fish, head, skin and bones reserved 3 large Spanish onions, ends trimmed and scored Kosher salt Quite a lot of pepper Enough water to reach 2½ inches deep in the stock pot Heads, bones and skin of filleted whitefish Directions Remove ends and peel onions. Cut a ½-inch deep X cross pattern on the onion ends. Place in the bottom of a la...…
…32 | APRIL 7 • 2022 GRAPE CHAROSET FOR PASSOVER When the grape juice has been reduced to a syrup, it is then known as honey. Mixed with nuts, it is an extraordinary concoction that can be served at any time of the year over ice cream or even as a breakfast jam. A similar halek made from dates is prepared by the Jews of Calcutta, India. Ingredients 4 pounds juice white grapes ⅓ cup toasted sesame seeds ⅓ cup toasted walnuts Di...…
…APRIL 7 • 2022 | 33 PASSOVER A Persian Passover By Etan Basseri, Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh Kalaniot Books, $19.99 “Many years ago, in a small town in Iran,” the book begins. The story is about sib- lings Ezra and Roza, who are helping their parents prepare for the seder. The traditional cleaning is underway, the ingredients for hallaq — the Persian version of charoset, made from dates, raisins and nuts — are assembled, and t...…
…PASSOVER I nside one red-brick Oak Park home, everything is fairly typical except for one thing that catches every newcomer’s eye and causes them to inevitably ask, “What’s that doing there?” “That” is several pieces of matzah and “there” is on the door header over the kitchen. Meet Yaakov Gregg, 60, owner of Jacob’s Ladder Heating and Cooling, father and grandfather of a growing mishpachah. “Jews tend to find a source in scripture so...…
