…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 ...…
…54 | MAY 2 • 2024 J N D iffering contemporary musical directions have made a major impact on the life of Gretchen Gonzales Davidson, whose guitar playing and singing took off at Michigan State University in the 1990s as she worked to graduate with majors in anthropology and environmental policy. Contemporary bands, personal friendships, marriage, religious commitments and community participation resulted from people she got to...…
…MAY 2 • 2024 | 55 joins her with Warren Defever on bass, Joey Mazzola on guitar and Steve Nistor on drums. Other bands with which she has worked include Universal Indians and Slumber Party. “Tabula Rasa is the first time we recorded songs,” Davidson said about her current group’s efforts. “Our approach before was all improvised. Joey, the other guitar player, has brought in songs every time we would get together, but this is the...…
…56 | MAY 2 • 2024 J N ARTS&LIFE DOCUMENTARY J ust after the premiere of Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story during the South By Southwest Film Festival during March in Texas, philosopher Deepak Chopra — whose son Gotham Chopra directed the Hulu documentary — hosted a short Q&A with the band members. Noting that his son considered drummer Tico Torres “the Zen of the group, ” Chopra then moved on to key- boardist David Bryan. “G...…
…MAY 2 • 2024 | 57 40380 Grand River Avenue, Novi bigtommys.com Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 th th, 2024 , 2024 Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 th th, 2024 , 2024 (10 & under) Adults: $45 • Children: $18 Call for Reservations 248.615.2102 OMELETTE STATION | FRESH MADE WAFFLES | EGGS BREAKFAST MEATS | HASHBROWNS & CORNED BEEF HASH PRIME RIB CARVING STATION | BAKED HAM | CHICKEN LEMO...…
…58 | MAY 2 • 2024 THE EARLY YEARS Bryan’s father Ed Rashbaum played trumpet himself, which Bryan tried — along with other instruments. Music didn’t click, however, until he started taking piano lessons at the age of 7 from Juilliard School professor Emery Hack. Bryan was initially cowed by the Hammond organ in Hack’s studio, but “then he went to the piano and started playing that, ” Bryan recalls in the documentary, “and he start...…
…MAY 2 • 2024 | 59 SCAN QR CODE FOR MORE INFO! LISTING DEADLINE: MAY 13, 2024 ISSUE DATE: MAY 23, 2024 WANT TO GIVE YOUR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE SENIOR A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT? You are invited to celebrate your high school senior with a listing in our Cap & Gown issue. Submit your senior’s accomplishments and future plans to be included, for FREE. DON’T LET YOUR GRAD BE LEFT OUT! 2024 94 | MAY 19 • 2022 continued on...…
…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 | MAY 2 • 2024 J N A NEW SERIES BASED ON A BESTSELLER, THREE NEW STREAMING FILMS, AND MORE The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a six-episode, original series that premieres on Peacock on May 2. It is based on the real-life story of Lale Sokolov (1916-2006) and Gita Furman (1925-2003), who met in Auschwitz and, after the war, married and settled in Australia. Both were natives of Slovakia. Sokolov sat down with writer Heather Morr...…
…MAY 2 • 2024 | 61 J N FAMILY PICNIC NOON-2 PM, MAY 5 (SUN.) At Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. Celebrate spring with friends, food and fun. A variety of kids’ activities, including a bounce slide and face painting on our playground. A BBQ lunch will be provided. Free of charge. Open to the community. Register: jlive. app/events/7863. Inside if it is raining. FAMILY FUN 1-3 PM, MAY 5 (SUN.) At the Detroit Historical ...…
…62 | MAY 2 • 2024 J N H aving fun with lan- guage can be more than just something to do for entertainment. As wit- nessed by the following exam- ples (thanks to a faithful reader’s submission), clever wording can be good for business. A sign in a shoe repair store in Vancouver reads: “We will heel you …We will save your sole …We will even dye for you. ” A sign on a Denver blinds and curtain truck states “Blind man driving. ” I...…
…MAY 2 • 2024 | 63 HEALTHCARE A1 CAREGIVER/COMPANION. Experienced, Part-time or Full-time excellent references. 248-991-4944 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE CAREGIVER, CNA, FULLY VACCINATED, REFERENCES. CALL CAROL (313) 443-8363 Prestige Touch of Love, Providing 24-hr home care services using professional / certified caregivers to serve the specific needs of your loved ones. Fully Vaccinated staff with years of experience. Call Debra ...…
…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. 64 | MAY 2 • 2024 248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292 License # 7118488 Maintenance, Installation, Repair & Hot Water Heaters Ajmendelson1@gmail.com FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973 $65 SERVICE...…
… MAY 2 • 2024 | 65 J N JOAN BEHRMANN, 77, of Deerfield, Ill., died April 23, 2024. Ms. Behrmann is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Marcy and Jonathan Farrell, and Rebecca Behrmann and Joshua Rubin; son and daughter-in-law, Simon and Rachel Behrmann; grandchildren, Sammy Frank, Avi Frank, Amelie Rubin and Bailey Rubin; brother and sister-in-law, Larry Newman and Kristine Johnson. She was the devoted daughter of the...…
…66 | MAY 2 • 2024 J N Zachary Wittenberg, Jonah Wittenberg; great-grand- daughter, Basya Raizel Wittenberg. Eileen was the beloved wife of the late Sidney Bradley; lov- ing sister and sister-in-law of the late Francine and the late Aaron Higer. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W . Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; or to a charity of one’s choice. A funeral service was held at Hebrew Me...…
…MAY 2 • 2024 | 67 J N Eddie was born in Detroit on Oct. 6, 1955, and grew up in Livonia. He attended Clarenceville High School and graduated from Michigan State University in 1979. He remained an avid Spartan fan his entire life. Eddie was outgoing, and he made friends easily with his zest for life and comfortable sense of humor. He loved music as well as playing and watching sports. A gifted bowler, Eddie bowled a perfect game o...…
…68 | MAY 2 • 2024 J N DORALEE LEVINE, 86, of Farmington Hills, died April 21, 2024. Mrs. LeVine is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elyse and Darrell Silber; grandchil- dren, Jaimee Silber and Alexis Silber; sisters-in-law, Mona Kaufman and Maxine LeVine; nephews and nieces, Ian LeVine, Monica LeVine, Robin Motisi, Peter LeVine and Kim Kaufman. She was the beloved wife for 56 years of the late Ronald LeVine; the cheri...…
…MAY 2 • 2024 | 69 FLORENCE LOVINGER OSTROW, 102, of Farmington Hills, died April 23, 2024. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Lindsay Lovinger and Bradley Williams, and Joanie and Robert Garvin; grandson, Joshua Garvin, and his fiancee, Jodi; many loving nieces, neph- ews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a world of friends. Mrs. Ostrow was the beloved wife of the late William Lovinger and the late Hyman Ostrow; the l...…
…DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com MAY 2 • 2024 | 7 J N mistake: This is dangerous language calling for violence. As we discussed at our seder tables, the Jewish people have endured so much more over the millennia. But when we sense a canary in the coal mine, we know that we must act. Messages of hate must not be tolerated. The university must intervene,...…
…70 | MAY 2 • 2024 J N Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at thejewishnews.com A Four-Generation Baseball Tradition I t is springtime. How do we know? Well, I suppose, one can look at the calendar for the first day of spring or note that flowers are blooming and trees are budding. In Detroit, however, the official (unofficial) first day of the season is the home opener for the ...…
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…O n one of her shifts delivering Kosher Meals on Wheels, volunteer Evva Hepner walked up to a home, knocked on the door and announced why she was there. “The participant opened the door telling me: ‘You are angels on wheels, ”” recalls Hepner, 72, who lives in Farmington Hills. That sentiment is echoed by many homebound older adults, who can remain in their own homes because of the essential meals service offered by National ...…
…that everyone gets their meals, ” she said. During COVID-19, Hepner says demand for the meals dramatically increased, sometimes to 160 deliveries a day from the current average of 95, as older people were so frequently con- fined to their homes. Despite volunteers dealing with their own home-life concerns, there was never a day that deliveries were missed because of a lack of helpers to fill the 75 volunteer slots a week. “Many tim...…
…$200 April 25-May 1, 2024 / 17-23 Nissan, 5784 JEWISH NEWS THE DETROIT thejewishnews.com Celebrating the 40-year camaraderie of Hillel 7th-graders and JARC. See page 10 Eye-to-Eye Seeing …
…10 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N E nsuring that all people are treated with dignity and respect has been the guiding force behind a 40-year partnership between a group of local seventh-graders and adults with developmental disabilities who are served by JARC, a Metro Detroit nonprofit whose mission is to enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities. One of JARC’s longest-standing partnerships is with Hillel Day School, an i...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 11 together as they get to know the people JARC serves. Hillel Program Leader and seventh- grade teacher Leslie Baron has been involved with the JARC partnership for 21 years, first as a facilitator and for the past 10 years as the program leader. Baron shared that the program has evolved significantly since its inception and now is further integrated into the overall seventh-grade curriculum. In the last five years...…
…12 | APRIL 25 • 2024 life, even if it was small, and it was nice to share that experience with my classmates as well.” Gadharf’s experience had a lasting impact on him. “I always had a soft spot for JARC and even served on their board of directors for a few years,” he shared. Another alumna, Talia Dolgin, who has a daughter who is currently part of the JARC program at Hillel, is grateful that the program has introduced her daughter...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 13 Ariella Katz and Avital Ohana each have had memorable experiences with the people JARC serves, which included a Bingo night and a scavenger hunt around Hillel. They love the time they spend with their friends from JARC and shared that they have learned patience and understanding from their time together. Maine said, “My favorite part of working with JARC has been meeting new people and having conversations wit...…
…14 | APRIL 25 • 2024 Brooke and would love to continue to see her once the school year ends. “As a parent, to watch my child appreciate and truly enjoy spending time with another person she wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to meet, and to see her open up, has filled my heart and often makes my eyes tear,” Rosenstock shared. “I think this experience has shown her that opening yourself up to make connections with people, ...…
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…16 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N A nthony Firkser exem- plified Jewish values of perseverance and loyalty during his time with the Detroit Lions last season. Firkser, a 29-year-old tight end who has a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Harvard University, joined the Lions practice squad last October. He was promoted to the active roster just before New Year’s Day and went back to the practice squad within a week. Firkser was ...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 17 practice squad is a good oppor- tunity to learn the offense, build chemistry and show the team and coaches you’re ready to be playing on Sundays. ” Firkser loved the opportunity to play for Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who played tight end in the NFL for a decade, including three seasons with the Lions from 2006-2008. “Campbell showed a lot of involvement at the tight end position and was always giving us poi...…
…18 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N I n a proactive response to growing rates of antisemitic threats and violence, Congregation Shaarey Zedek (CSZ) recently organized a self-defense class tailored specifically for teenagers. Held on Sunday afternoon, March 17, the congregation’s teens enjoyed lunch and learning from Senseis Matthew Sikora and Richard Dristy of TRUE Martial Arts, alongside CSZ’s Rabbi Aaron Starr. The event was a part o...…
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…The Agency Hall & Hunter 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED FRANCHISEE. CINDY KAHN | REALTOR® +1 248.568.7309 CKahn@TheAgencyRE.com EMILY KAHN | REALTOR® +1 248.568.0569 EKahn@TheAgencyRE.com #1 TOP PRODUCER FOR 2016-2023 AT THE AGENCY HALL & HUNTER SAME SUPERIOR SERVICE AT EVERY PRICE POINT 280 BALDWIN ROAD Birmingham 4 Beds | 5.1 Baths 5,550 Total Sq. Ft. $2,549,000 11 RIVERBANK ...…
…20 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N T he 23rd annual Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival kicks off in early May and will consist of 19 feature films, 16 of which are virtual films (three films will be offered in-person only) and seven in-person events. The festival starts Sunday, May 5, and runs through Sunday, May 26. The in-person opening event takes place May 5 at Ann Arbor’s State Theatre, where Remembering Gene Wilder, a special tribute...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 21 I n the last few years, break- throughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have received a great deal of atten- tion in the media. There have been a wide range of thought- ful (and sometimes alarmed) thought pieces about how these emergent technologies could negatively impact — if not fundamentally transform — white-collar jobs, education, the entertainment industry and so much more. It is not uncommon to turn o...…
…22 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N I t’s been a turbulent time for Jews in Israel and in the diaspora since Oct. 7, and that turbulence doesn’t look to be slowing down heading into November’s U.S. presidential election. On Monday, May 6, Congregation Shaarey Zedek is hosting a Coffee House event for community mem- bers to discuss “The Impact of the Upcoming American Election on Israel and the Middle East.” The event will welcome Nolan F...…
…in White & Blue in White & Blue TUESDAY, MAY 28 6 - 9 PM Let’s celebrate Israel’s 76th Independence Day in a big way! We’re turning the Detroit Zoo white and blue with a community-wide solidarity walk. We’ll start with an opening ceremony and then walk the zoo for Israel at our own self-guided pace. There will be plenty to see and do along the way including: • A food tent with all your Israeli favorites (dietary laws obser...…
…24 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N D onniel Hartman, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, said in the months that have unfold- ed since the Oct. 7 attacks, the best way that he could support his students, staff and faculty is to give out a lot of hugs. Speaking to an audience of about 200 on April 3 at the Berman Center for Performing Arts, Hartman said since Oct. 7 he has had to figure out how to best serve the per...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 25 be approached so that what- ever opinions students have, they are loved and support- ed. “Within these conversa- tions, we challenge people to feel a little uncomfortable but always with the assur- ance that they feel they are loved,” Hartman said. Hartman said it is import- ant to listen to those with whom you disagree and challenge one another. This has been a hallmark for the institute within an Israeli soci...…
…26 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N I n the wake of Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel and the expression of ironclad support by the U.S. and its allies, ZOA-Michigan has placed two billboards on I-275 underscoring American solidarity with Israel. ZOA-Michigan launched its new “ Americans Stand with Israel” campaign to highlight the overwhelming support of voters in Michigan and across the U.S. who are committed to the defense of Ameri...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 27 40380 Grand River Avenue, Novi bigtommys.com Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 th th, 2024 , 2024 Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12 th th, 2024 , 2024 (10 & under) Adults: $45 • Children: $18 Call for Reservations 248.615.2102 OMELETTE STATION | FRESH MADE WAFFLES | EGGS BREAKFAST MEATS | HASHBROWNS & CORNED BEEF HASH PRIME RIB CARVING STATION | BAKED HAM | CHICKEN L...…
…28 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N M any teens will get their first job in high school, but at Hillel Day School’s new Charfoos Cafe, they can learn real-life business skills as early as sixth through eighth grades. As part of Hillel Day School’s recent renovation of the historic Little Red Schoolhouse, which was constructed in the mid-1800s, the Charfoos Cafe is set to open its doors for operation during the school’s first soccer game of th...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 29 BYRON AND DOROTHY GERSON LECTURE SERIES Franklin Sirmans Director, Pérez Art Museum Miami A View from the Crossroads: A 21st Century American Museum Join us for a talk with Franklin Sirmans as he explores art from Latin America, the Caribbean, the African diaspora, and the U.S. Latino experience – and their collective relevance to American art. 6 p.m. April 30 Detroit Institute of Arts Register at dia.org/cros...…
…contents PURELY COMMENTARY 4-9 Essays and viewpoints. OUR COMMUNITY 10 Seeing Eye-to-Eye Celebrating the 40-year camaraderie of Hillel seventh-graders and JARC. 16 Firkser Made Impact in Detroit Lions’ Historic Season In honor of the NFL Draft in Detroit, we profile a Jewish Lion from last year’s winning team. 18 Confidence in the Face of Prejudice Shaarey Zedek teens learn self- defense skills ...…
…30 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N L ike many young Jewish students currently enrolled in colleges nationwide, 21-year-old Jackson native Nathan Rosenberg, who is finishing his senior year at the University of Michigan, has experienced widespread campus antisemitism that continues to worsen with time. Following the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Rosenberg is one of thousands of students across the country who have borne witness to ant...…
…APRIL 25 • 2024 | 31 Rep. Nancy Mace, calling for the Office of Civil Rights to institute a national reporting system for campus antisemitic incidents. Specifically, they advocated for an amendment to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which describes how universities should deal with reporting of antisemitism on campus. The 25 students also spoke up on the failure of universi- ties to protect Jewish students or respond appropriatel...…
…32 | APRIL 25 • 2024 J N N oah Adamczyk had a grand basketball career at Bloomfield Hills High School. He scored 1,519 points in four seasons, including one that had several games canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds the career record for points scored by a Bloomfield Hills Lahser, Bloomfield Hills Andover or Bloomfield Hills boys basketball player. Adamczyk was deadly from three-point range and regularly scored on...…
