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…I like my kid again” — that’s what one parent told Forest Levy Wolfe, found- er of Teaching Circle, after taking part in her Family Coaching program. Wolfe started Teaching Circle in January 2022 — offering classes to young children — but she soon realized, it’s not just kids who need support. Parents need it, too. “There are a lot of preschools and tutoring programs out there for children, but there’s not as much support and coachin...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 29 to cheer on racers, hand out medals to racers after they cross the finish line and serve pancakes at the post-race breakfast. Shifts are two to three hours long and volunteers must be at least 16 with parental per- mission. For details, contact VolunteerDepartment@lea- derdog.org. THE WELL, NEXTGen Detroit and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Women’s Philanthropy are coming together for a Dignity...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 3 PURELY COMMENTARY 4-9 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 10 An Old-New Whimsical Playground Bais Chabad of Farmington Hills breathes new life into retired equipment. 12 One-Man Mitzvah Mobile West Bloomfield man and his dog are on a mission to do good in the world. 14 Making Wishes Come True Southfield couple helps “Wish Ambulance” fulfill a dream. 16 South Haven’s First Hebrew Congrega...…

…OUR COMMUNITY F or Pasteur Elementary School graduate Elizabeth “Liz” Jacobs, the school’s library, a sunlit room with dark wooden shelves, was a happy place presided over by the school’s longtime librar- ian, Mrs. Robinson. Jacobs, who graduated in 1962, is one of many Jewish alumni of Pasteur, located at Stoepel and Pembroke in Northwest Detroit. She is the recording sec- retary of the Friends of Pasteur, a nonprofit support orga...…

…cational services. New tables have been ordered, and the volunteers hope to add some comfortable chairs for the teachers to use when reading to their classes. Each student will receive a Pasteur Library card and will soon begin tak- ing out books. Hall, Pasteur’s principal, plans to apply for a librarian from the Detroit Public Schools Community District. While there was some initial skepticism about the ability of volunteers to ...…

…32 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 faces&places Blacks and Jews have long had an important relationship throughout history — from the civil rights movement to present day. It’s that solidarity that makes the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity’s holiday party all that more special. Blacks and Jews united to cele- brate Christmas and Chanukah at the Pistons Performance Center. Songs were sung and dancing was abundant as the family-friendly a...…

…DECEMBER 29 • 2022 | 33 Jewish Senior Life celebrat- ed the grand opening of the Hechtman II Coffee House in the Eli A. Scherr Activity Room on Dec. 6. Philanthropist and friend of JSL, Eli Scherr, attended the festivities along with more than 40 residents, staff and community members. Eli spoke of his days on the Jewish Apartments and Services Board and his delight in contributing to the lifestyle residents enjoy on JSL campus...…

…34 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 NEXT DOR B ari Weiss, the for- mer New York Times editor and writer, is quite busy these days. She is assisting in the publication of files uncovered at Twitter by its new owner that purport to tell how and why some discourse on the platform was suppressed or margin- alized prior to Elon Musk’s $44 billion acquisition of the platform. Musk’s prime motivation for buying Twitter was to restructure the social...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 35 265,000 subscribers who receive her Substack column. She now employs more than a dozen journalists, contrib- utors and assistants. Demand is strong for her speak- ing engagements. She has appeared several times on Bill Maher’s HBO show. Having struck a chord with newsmakers, she attracts top names to her site and to her podcast, among them Israeli prime minister-des- ignate Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. A...…

…36 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 NOSH EATS | DRINKS | SWEETS S ukiyaki, Viennese Beef Goulash and Lamb Curry, just like your kosher mama or bubbie maybe used to make for dinner. Nostalgia was one motivating fac- tor when Richard J. Kaplan, a former Detroiter, decided to compile a fleis- chig (meat) cookbook from his father Seymour Kaplan’s family recipes. “It was just as a fun thing to do,” said Richard Kaplan, 67, a retired tax and estate-pla...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 37 notice that very day, in 1971 or 1972.” Until very recently, the only trace of the business was a barely recognizable painted Kaplan Brothers sign above the old building. The Kaplan brothers, now deceased, are survived by their sister, Eileen Letvin of West Bloomfield. WEEKLY ADS IN THE JN Richard was aware that his father had advertised the butcher shop by placing a series of “Kaplan Bros. Recipe of the We...…

…38 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 HEALTH T he 94-year-old home- bound patient was over- joyed. “Thank you so much,” she told her visitor. “You made such a difference to my life.” She’d always loved reading and had a huge stack of books, but lately she’d been unable to do more than just sit in her favorite armchair. Her visitor was Dr. Yaakov Zacks of Southfield, Michigan’s only full-time house-calling optom- etrist. He’d discovered her prescr...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 39 saw some issues. He promptly took his blood pressure, saw his numbers were abnormally high and urged him to rush to the emergency room. Later, the patient thanked him. “He was at high risk of hav- ing a stroke, ” he said. “The health of the entire body can be seen in the eyes. ” Zacks has also prescribed vitamins for macular degen- eration (degeneration of the retina) and low-vision aids like magnifiers that c...…

…4 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 for openers Verbal Picassos T he wonderful world of color is not limited to the art gallery or the television tube. We are so imbued with the colors around us that we have incorporated color references in our daily talk. To encourage someone to be themselves, you may exhort them to show you their true colors. A vivid description of your latest vacation sites may lend color to the conversation. Is your gar...…

…MAZEL TOV! 40 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 DEC. 15, 2022 Shelley (Reinstein) and Eliot Silver of Los Angeles, Calif., joyously announce the birth of their daughter, Isabel Drew (Devira Irit). Shelley is the daughter of Natie and Alan Reinstein of Farmington Hills, and Eliot is the son of Patty and Michael Silver of Los Angeles. Isabel was named in beloved memory of Eliot’s grandfather Irving and for Shelley’s beloved grandmother Dora. HOW...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 41 The Power of Gathering H ave you ever been part of a gathering so powerful that the boundaries between you and others became blurred? Can you imagine such mutual inspiration and clarity of purpose that a convening felt divinely blessed? In Maor va-Shemesh, a collection of the teachings of R. Kalonymus Kalman Epstein of Cracow published in 1842, the Chasidic master explores the possibility of such an ex...…

…42 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 J udaism generally urges us to be agents, to be active rather than passive, to take responsibility for our lives and for the world. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik goes so far as to insist that “the peak of religious ethical perfection to which Judaism aspires is man as creator.” This means that we are often asked to use the power at our disposal both to better our lives and to achieve holy ends. But sometimes we ...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 43 stick to [Joseph’s brothers]. Like Lady Macbeth, unable to get the blood of the murdered king off her hands, they cannot get away from the bloody silver.” A CALL FOR REFLECTION Accused of theft, Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt, where he confronts them: “What is this deed that you have done?” (mah ha-ma’aseh asher asitem) (44:15). On the surface, of course, he appears to be asking about the (purportedly) stole...…

…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...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 45 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...…

…SPORTS S asha Hartje didn’t want her long, suc- cessful competitive athletic career to end with her on the sidelines with a broken leg. It won’t. The Long Island University women’s hockey player and former Emory University women’s tennis player from Bloomfield Hills will compete for the U.S. women’s hockey team this month at the World University Games in Lake Placid, New York. This is Hartje’s second hockey season at Long Island, a ...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 47 W hile many musicals are entertaining, even moving, only a few merit repeat viewings. Les Miserables is one of those shows, a magnificent production that unites first-time audiences with a worldwide cadre of loyal fans who line up to see it again … and again and again. The current North American tour, playing at the Fisher Theatre through Jan. 8, features a superb cast of performers who bring new life to th...…

…48 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 ARTS&LIFE PODCASTS New Reboot podcast explores the stranger topics in Jewish history. Jewish ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bizarre Dr. Eddy Portnoy A new podcast is taking listeners down a rabbit hole of bizarre Jewish history. Released in November, the Jewish Bizarre Podcast, a new project from Reboot, a Jewish arts and culture non- profit and development plat- form, explores little-known po...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 49 Madison, and Jessica Chaffin, writer, comedian and host of the popular podcast Ask Ronna. Together, they explore the strangest corners of Jewish history. THE TOPICS NOT TAUGHT IN HEBREW SCHOOL Episodes are released weekly and tackle everything from how an 1875 murder changed perception of Jews forever, to false messiahs and wrestling rabbis, to even Jewish stereo- types such as nose shape and how that impact...…

…Cranbrook Schools' Open House Sunday, January 8, 2023 - students age 3 through grade 11 call 248 645 3610 or explore schools.cranbrook.edu Cronbrook Educational Community admits students ond makes il5 services, activities, and education programs ovoiloble to 5tudents without regard to sex, race, color, creed, religion, notional or ethnic origin, diwbility, sexvol orientation, or ony other protected status os required by 5tote or federal ...…

…50 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 GOLDEN GLOBES, MIA KIRSHNER MAKES ME HAPPY, PINSKY IN THE DESERT The Golden Globe (“Globes”) awards for excellence in film and TV will return to network TV (NBC, Jan. 10, 8 p.m.) after a hiatus last year. Members of the sponsoring organiza- tion, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), were credibly accused of many sins, including rac- ism, self-dealing and sexual harassment. At the verge of extinc...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 51 DRAGONS! 2 PM, JAN. 7 At the Music Hall on Madison in Downtown Detroit. For Ages 3+. Cost: $24-$50. Box office: 313- 887-8500. Spectacular puppets brought to life. MUSIC EVENT 8:00 PM, JAN 7 The Yellow Room Gang will appear at The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor. The Yellow Room is the living room of Tamulevich’s house on Ann Arbor’s Old West Side, where gang members meet monthly for musical brainstorming. Co...…

…52 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 community theater debut of Harold & Maude, The Musical. This musical introduces Harold, a death-obsessed young man, to Maude, a life- affirming octogenarian. Their May-December romance changes them both and is the perfect warm-your-heart evening to take the chill off a cold January night. Individual reserved seat tickets are $24 each plus $1 ticketing fee. Call the box office, 248-644-2075, or click on t...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 53 Aaron Mendelson Heating and Cooling, LLC. 248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292 License # 7118488 Maintenance, Installation, Repair & Hot Water Heaters Ajmendelson1@gmail.com FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973 $85 SERVICE FEE 24/7 Emergency Service FREE ESTIMATES • LICENSED & INSURED HANDYMAN SERVICE • Carpentry • Plumbing • Electrical REMODELING • Kitchen • Bath • Basement A&E ConstruCtion 248-425-9565 Serving...…

…54 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY ANN BEBES, 98, of Farmington Hills, died Dec. 26, 2022. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Sally Bebes and Cynthia (Lawrence) Buch; grandchildren, Renee Buch and Lisa Buch; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Mrs. Bebes was the beloved wife of the late Harry Bebes; sister of the late Nettie Levitt, the late Rose Marx, the late Marlene...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 55 continued on page 56 Arranging a funeral is an emotional process. But choosing the right funeral home can help alleviate the stress. That’s why people turn to us. We understand the wants and needs of families from all walks of Judaism. Our fresh look and feel make everyone feel welcome. We’re centrally located, and our pricing is fair. Our care—and our caring—help ease the burden of a loss. Making a Dorfman diffe...…

…56 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 OBITUARIES OF BLESSED MEMORY Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to the Rogel Cancer Center at the University of Michigan. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. LILLIAN FOX FREEDLAND, 95, of Ann Arbor, died Dec. 20, 2022. She was primar- ily a mother, mother-in-law and a grandmother. Her love was expressed through her cooking, in the cards she sent with her doodle...…

…B arbara Frankel, 89, of West Bloomfield, died Dec. 19, 2022. She was born in Topeka, Kansas, on Oct. 27, 1933, to Helen and Laurence Gottman; and she moved to Michigan as a young child. Barbara dedicated her life to the arts and philanthropy, including volun- teering at the Jewish Home and Aging Services, where she created and taught a jewelry class to seniors for many years. She was a proud recipient of the 8 Over 80 awa...…

…58 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 You can honor the memory of a loved one in a most meaningful way by sponsoring a day of Torah learning at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. During the coming week, Kaddish will be said for these departed souls during the daily minyan at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. Your support of the Torah learning of our children and our Kollel’s Torah Scholars brings immeasurable heavenly merit. Please call us at 248-557-6750 for more information. ...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 59 continued on page 60 We understand that grief is a part of love. Let us assist your family during this difficult period. Joshua Ducoff, Jeremy Isaac Ducoff and Samuel Aaron Ducoff; devoted brother of the late G. Vernon (Shirley) Leopold; brother-in-law of Paul (Marcia) Himelhoch; adoring uncle of Susan (Jonathan) Fleischer, David (Daurielle) Leopold, Sara (Mitch) Spinnell, Elisa (Yuval) Moed, Howard (Wendy) ...…

…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 changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 322...…

…Rotter; grandchildren, Dr. Jacob Rotter and Dr. Michelle Sheyman, Maxwell and Hannah Rotter, Daniel Rotter, Mitchell Rotter, and Jack Henry Lowenstein; sister and brother-in-law, Judith and Richard Komer; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Jeffrey Band and Meredith Weston; many loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Rotter was the beloved wife for 63 years of the late Dr. Norman Rotter; the devoted daugh- ter of the late Herman Band and th...…

…G erald W . Camiener, Ph.D., 90, of Naples, Florida, originally of Detroit, passed away Dec. 24, 2022, peacefully with his beloved wife, Beatrice, at his side. Jerry was born in Detroit on Aug. 15, 1932, to Edith (Garfield) and Paul M Camiener. He attended the University of Michigan, trans- ferring and gradu- ating from Wayne University with hon- ors. He was then admitted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s first...…

…Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org 62 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 I ask you — who doesn’t like a good corned beef on rye? Of course, one’s choice of corned beef is much like one’s choice of wine. We all have our favorites. Personally, along with thousands and thousands of other aficionados, I prefer that my sandwich be made with Detroit’s own Sy Ginsberg Corne...…

…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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…PURELY COMMENTARY 8 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 A lumni and fans of the University of Michigan will do a lot of cheering this holiday season, whatever the football team’s fate in the national playoffs. For a quasi-interested observer, who roots for another Big Ten team, it’s rather easy to mark when moments of ecstasy fully grip the U-M faithful: they are always punctuated by the stirring brass of “Hail to the Victors.” It’s a gre...…

…JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 9 And in one memorable episode, he climbed atop a train destined for Auschwitz, passed documents through the windows to recipients inside and then demanded their immediate release. All while Hungarian fascist guards threatened him with their rifles and even fired warning shots, though there’s some evidence that the guards were so impressed by Wallenberg’s calm courage they deliberately aimed high. But like s...…