DJN January 14, 2021 by The Detroit Jewish News

200 Jan. 14-20, 2021 / 1-7 Shevat 5781

Seniors, frontline workers among first to get COVID vaccine. See page 10

Capitol Fallout

Riots leave a mark on the nation as ADL calls for Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ouster. page 14

Fertility Fraud?

More stories come forward following Dr. Peven revelations. page 16 JANUARY 14 â&#x20AC;˘ 2021 | 1

FJA WILL PREPARE YOU. FOR COLLEGE?

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contents Jan. 14-20, 2021 / 1-7 Shevat 5781 | VOLUME CLVIII, ISSUE 24

14 VIEWS

4-9

JEWS INTHED 10

Hypodermic of Hope

Jewish seniors, frontline workers among first to get COVID vaccine.

33 29 End of an Era

Last artist moves out of Detroit’s Atlas Building.

Eretz 29

Olim Making a Difference

Detroit native leads charge for women’s heart health in Israel.

U.S. Capitol Mobbed

Donor Deception

Keeping Seniors Safe at Home

Spirit

80 Years Later

ARTS&LIFE

ADL, other groups call for President Trump’s removal. New stories surface of fertility doctors’ misconduct in Metro Detroit. Two friends start home healthcare business with personalized service at the forefront. A pandemic Zoom reunion for local Holocaust survivor.

A New Year’s Eve to Remember

Payback for Antisemitism

Pandemic doesn’t stop epic Zoom New Year’s Eve party.

U-D student gets $20,000 tuition refund from SOAS college in London.

Etc.

The Exchange Soul Danny Raskin Looking Back

38 39 45 46

Moments 30

34 35

What Our Neighbors Think of Us

AJC surveys Jews’ and non-Jews’ opinions on antisemitism.

Online Events

Moments

Torah portion

Enchanted by Theater

Recent high school grad helps market Disenchanted!, the Nicely Theatre Group’s next production.

The Nightworkers

Southfield native’s first novel gets rave reviews.

Exploring Yiddish Film History

A new boxed set unearths 10 classics from a forgotten era of filmmaking.

Celebrity Jews

Shabbat Lights

Shabbat Starts: Friday, Jan. 15, 5:07 p.m. Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Jan. 16, 6:13 p.m.

* Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

ON THE COVER: Cover photo/credit: A woman is given a vaccine at Jewish Senior Life. Photo by Jeff Kowalsky Cover design: Kaitlyn Schoen

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

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Lindsay Sklar, MD Dr. Sklar is pleased to announce that she has joined West Bloomfield Dermatology and Mohs Surgery. Dr. Sklar received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. She completed medical school and residency at Wayne State University, School of Medicine, where she served as Chief Resident. She then completed a Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship and a Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Sklar is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship trained Mohs Surgeon and is accepting new patients.

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JANUARY 14 â&#x20AC;˘ 2021

VIEWS for openers

Let There Be …

n many a cartoon, the artist will have a lightbulb appear above the head of someone who has had an idea or great insight. The use of light in conversation produced my lightbulb. If you have been plagued by challenging Sy Manello Editorial situations and Assistant are beginning to see some relief, you may be said to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This should make you feel more lighthearted. You can then retire at night and be out like a light. If you are good at something, do not hide your light under a bushel.

You could even take the reins and be a guiding light. Remember that even though many hands make light work, too many cooks may spoil the broth. (Such contradiction of adages will make for a future column, believe me.) Diligently research to

shed light on an idea you are investigating. Start at first light. (Francis Scott Key already had dibs on “dawn’s early light;” sorry.) When you get the green light to pursue your project, do not get bogged down or sidetracked; travel light. Try to remain all sweetness and

light in your dealings with others; do not show anyone in a bad light. The euphoria that accompanies your success will make you feel as light as a feather. As an interesting side note to the green light reference: In Tel Aviv, there is a new development to aid “phone zombies” (those who are so caught up in their cell phones, they have no idea where they are walking). Crosswalks will now flash green or red to indicate if crossing is safe; those folks do not have to look up. As special thanks to those of you who have sent me inspirational column topic suggestions: You light up my life.

Most Read on the Web Each month, the JN will let you know the stories that were read most often online. If you missed any, you can go to the jewishnews.com and search for them by title. Here’s what was most popular in December. TOP 10 ON THE WEB 1. Longtime Fertility Doctor in the Jewish Community Used His Own Sperm to Inseminate Patients, DNA Tests Show 2. My (Big, Fat) Joyful, Tearful Polish Wedding 3. Evelyn Orbach, Founder of JET, Dies from COVID-19 4. “A Perfect Fit,” Michigan, Israeli Cannabis Companies Say of Partnership 5. Metro Detroit Rabbi Goes Viral on TikTok 6. Huntington Bank, Torgow’s TCF Bank Announce Merger 7. The Handoff: The Well Digs Deeper with New Executive Director 8. WATCH: Menorah in the D Virtual Ceremony 9. Lots o’ Latkes: Try These Chanukah Recipes This Year 10. New Oak Park Business Offers Crispy and Savory Salami Chips

JANUARY 14 • 2021

TOPS ON FACEBOOK 1. Celebrate Cookie Day with Friendship Circle 2. Menorah in the D Live Stream 3. Evelyn Orbach, Founder of JET, Dies from COVID-19 4. Changes at Rear Ends: Owners Handing Reins to Daughter, Closing West Bloomfield Store 5. How to Make an Ugly Chanukah Sweater TOP 5 ON INSTAGRAM: 1. Smokey Robinson Goes Viral for Mispronouncing Hanukkah as ‘Chanooka’ 2. Camp Tamarack Planning Summer 2021 Programming Under Pandemic 3. 2020 JN Chanukah Art Contest Winners 4. The Handoff: The Well Digs Deeper with New Executive Director 5. My (Big, Fat) Joyful, Tearful Polish Wedding

letters

Importance of WSU Press Thanks so much for your recent story about Stephanie Williams, the new director at Wayne State University Press (Dec. 24, pg. 18). One of the great traditions of the Press has always been its rich tradition to not only publish books about Judaism but also to give voice to the dozens of local Jewish authors committed to telling our Detroit stories. I, too, was shaken up by last year’s tumult at the Press, but since Stephanie came on board and righted the ship, all is well. — Harvey Ovshinsky Ann Arbor

Education “Champions” I absolutely loved the article “The Right to Read” (Dec. 31, cover). It broke my heart, but it gave me some hope that there are champions beyond the exhausted teachers and students fighting for appropriate education. I work in a Title One school myself with low SES [socio-economic status] families, but since we are attached to a “good” larger district, our kids get so many

more resources. Very interesting article. — Sarah Cherluck Berkley

Polish Wedding

What a wonderful and moving story of Freda and David (Dec. 24, pg. 26). Beautiful. I told my American friend (Jewish Orthodox from NYC) to do the same as them and marry his Polish girlfriend under [the] chuppah in Kazimierz/Krakow. Hello from Warsaw, Poland. — Andy Warsaw, Poland Website comment

Detroit’s Ambassadors Great article about the Detroit-area businessmen/U.S. Ambassadors who were involved with the Abraham Accords breakthrough toward recognition and some peace in the Middle East (Dec. 31, pg. 22). Lots of “meat” of information as to what can be accomplished and just what is holding up more of it.

Greenberg’s View

— Lawrence Freedman Bingham Farms

My STORY As Director of Corporate Communications for DTE Energy, Lorie Kessler‘s days were divided between working in a dynamic position and raising three kids. Still, while she had a desire to volunteer in the community, Lorie had very little spare time and wanted to make it count. “I want to contribute in a meaningful way, so if I choose to give of my time, I like to feel like I’m using that time well, and that I’m making a difference,” Lorie said.”There are Boards where your name is printed on the letterhead, but the actual impact you add is minimal. My professional experience is with strategic thinking and problem solving, and I like to feel I add value.” Lorie is a past Board member of Jewish Family Service and is a current Board member of Temple Beth El. When she retired from DTE, she looked for a new volunteer opportunity, now having, she said, the luxury of more time and energy to offer. “Hebrew Free Loan has a respected and worthwhile position in the community. They challenge their Board members to step up to the plate, be hands-on, and make a difference. I am really honored to be part of their Board. “My experience so far is that the HFL Board has a deep commitment to their borrowers,” Lorie said. “We’re all aware of the magnitude of what we do, and the spectrum of the life events that bring people to seek us out. We think about the “real world” issues people face - worries, hopes, opportunities and challenges - that impact the quality of their lives. Board Members use their varied experiences to be of service to others, knowing that without us, people’s futures might not be as bright.” What’s equally amazing, Lorie says, is that the things HFL is most proud of can’t be shared, because of client confidentiality. “I want to shout HFL’s story from the rooftops, but our level of confidentiality and respect is also one of the things that makes us so special. What I can say is that my time here is very well spent.”

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

VIEWS essay

e’ve all seen those grainy black and white photographs from the 1960s. We see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marching in civil rights demonstrations, oftentimes locked arm and arm with Rabbi Mark Jacobs Abraham Joshua Heschel, his fellow activist and close friend. As Jews, we see these pictures and we rightly take pride that a rabbi was integral to Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. We’ve been citing that fact for 60 years. Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel were indeed genuine friends. Dr. King and his family were due to attend a Passover seder at the Heschel’s house in April 1968, just a few weeks after the assassination. Instead, during that same week, Rabbi Heschel delivered the eulogy at his friend’s funeral. Over the years, Rabbi Heschel has become an iconic symbol of commitment and solidarity between Black and Jews. But that was then, and this is now. The Black and Jewish experience together has ebbed and flowed in the past 60 years. Both communities have, at times, felt betrayed and aggrieved by the other. Jewish racism and Black antisemitism

JANUARY 14 • 2021

have never been eradicated, and far too many Black and Jewish leaders have contributed to the anger and divisions between both communities. But in recent years there have been new and robust efforts among Blacks and Jews to jointly promote unity and fight racism and antisemitism. In 2019, a bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers formed the Congressional Caucus for Black and Jewish Relations and, this year, members of the Michigan legislature followed suit with its own Black and Jewish Unity Caucus. Both groups cited the urgent need for the communities to come together in light of the dramatic spike in white supremacy groups and hate crimes targeting Blacks and Jews. Last September, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the National Urban League kicked off BlackJewish Unity Week, a national initiative of programming events, seminars, advocacy and prayers designed to foster unity and strengthen the fight against racism and antisemitism. Locally, the Jewish Community Relations Council/ AJC, in partnership with the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, operate the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity. The group has a three-fold mission: 1) promote

WIKIPEDIA

This Year, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Be a Heschel Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel presenting the Judaism and World Peace Award to Martin Luther King Jr., Dec. 7, 1965

solidarity between both communities; 2) speak out against racism, antisemitism and other forms of hate; and 3) identify and cultivate future leaders among the younger generation. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), initially organized to combat antisemitism, has become increasingly active in fighting racism in recent years, particularly this past year because of the George Floyd killing and other incidents. Its local branch, led by Carolyn Normandin, is combating hate crimes and exposing hate groups, as well as partnering with local organizations to expand the ADL’s commitment to promoting Black and Jewish unity. The joint efforts among Blacks and Jews to form solid, meaningful and effective alliances are alive and well today. There are still critics and detractors, but for many people in both communities, the spirit of Dr. King’s and Rabbi’s Heschel’s friendship and commitment for justice is thriving in full vibrancy today. Fifty-three years after Dr. King’s death, Blacks and Jews are facing a surge in hatred and violence. Dr. King once wrote that “we may have all come

on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.” That is indeed true today. How we navigate that boat will depend on our commitment, our relationships with one another and our solidarity. Many people from both communities are already deeply committed to this task. This year, as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, Jews can educate themselves on what’s being done to preserve Black-Jewish unity and we can work to strengthen and renew it. Rabbi Heschel left us a shining example. But we cannot rest on that memory; we must build on it. We must, as Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny of Temple Israel noted in a recent sermon, “be a Heschel today.” That’s a noble challenge for the Jewish community as we observe the King holiday this year, as well as a fitting and beautiful way to honor his dream. Mark Jacobs is the AIPAC Michigan chair for African American Outreach, a co-director of the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity, a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council-AJC and the director of Jewish Family Service’s Legal Referral Committee.

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

JEWSINTHED

JEFF KOWALSKY

ON THE COVER

Hypodermic A of

Hope Jewish seniors, frontline workers among first to get COVID vaccine. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

TOP: Residents of Oak Park’s JSL Coville Apartments and Prentis Apartments 1 received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine on Jan. 4.

JANUARY 14 • 2021

s 2021 begins, many hope the year will bring a return to normalcy with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. And members of the Detroit Jewish community are playing pivotal roles in distributing the lifesaving injection throughout the area. From frontline and healthcare workers being the first ones to receive the vaccine, to those who worked on the vaccine trials, to ordinary citizens participating in the trials, here are some of their stories. ‘A MIRACLE’ Dr. Bruce Adelman, who specializes in anesthesiology for Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), received the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 17, one of the first five people at the West Bloomfield hospital to get it.

“I think it’s nothing short of a miracle that the vaccine is finally here, because it feels like we’ve been talking about it for so long, but in the vaccine world, it’s been a remarkably short amount of time,” Adelman said. “It decreases the risks significantly for us in the health care setting, and it shows the population at large that it’s a good thing to do.” The logistics of receiving and organizing the vaccine distribution have been a herculean effort, Adelman said. Initially, employees were surveyed about who was willing to get the vaccine, who had already tested positive and the department in which they work, all factors which helped determine eligibility. Employees went through MyChart, the electronic pro-

gram the hospital system uses to set up appointments. Employees included in the first tier of vaccinations included emergency room physicians and staff, operating room staff, and the anesthesia, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and critical care departments, according to Adelman. The vaccine arrived at the Henry Ford West Bloomfield loading dock at 10 a.m. that day, with employee health techs primarily giving out the shots, and some nurses stepping in to help so they could vaccinate as many people as possible. “Sitting there waiting for it, it was really an emotional, visceral feeling that I had,” Adelman said. “When I look at the pictures, I look really serious, but that’s only because I was just trying to hold it together.” Adelman described the actual shot as “pretty painless” and “much less discomfort relative to a flu shot.” Once he took it,

he had to go to a recovery area to be monitored for 15-20 minutes to make sure there were no immediate side effects. In the first roll-out wave, each of HFHS’ campuses received 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. At the West Bloomfield hospital, 80 people were vaccinated on the first day and more than 100 on the second day. As of Jan. 8, 18,000 HFHS team members either received or were scheduled to receive the vaccine. HFHS had originally planned to roll out the vaccine through a tiered system based on the most at-risk employees, but they received more shipments of the vaccine than anticipated, which helped speed up their efforts. After going through the process of receiving the first dose, Adelman made an appointment for his second dose, which was 21 days later on Jan. 7. Adelman’s message to the public is to continue following the guidelines of mask wearing

and social distancing, and to get the vaccine when available. “The risks of not getting the vaccine are way higher than the risk of taking the vaccine,” Adelman said. “We need to do it for ourselves, for our children, for our parents and for each other.” SENIORS SECURED Barbra Giles, executive director of strategic initiatives for Jewish Senior Life, played a pivotal role in getting the vaccine to JSL. In October, Giles enrolled JSL in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program offered via CVS Pharmacy, applying for clinic dates for residents, staff and designated caregivers. Giles, along with residents of Oak Park’s JSL Coville Apartments and Prentis Apartments 1, received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine on Jan. 4. JSL is having three vaccine

clinic dates for each of its six buildings: the first date to administer the first dose; the second date where residents can get the second dose and those who missed the first date can get their first dose; and a third date for the residents who missed the first date to receive their second dose. “It was a fantastic experience, the staff and residents were excited to participate, and it was a wonderful sense in the air about hope and moving forward into a new phase of normalcy,” Giles said of the monumental day. Giles also said residents reminisced about other vaccines they’ve received in their lives. “We heard a lot about when they got the polio vaccine the first time and how much this reminded them of when they were children, of that experience,” Giles said. “It was very interesting.” Four stations were set up at the clinic, which began at 11

COURTESY OF KATE ZENLEA

COURTESY OF HFHS

continued on page 12

LEFT: Dr. Bruce Adelman of Henry Ford Health System Rolls up his sleeve to get the vaccine. RIGHT: Kate Zenlea.

JANUARY 14 • 2021

COURTESY OF DR. JEFFREY FISCHGRUND

JEWSINTHED ON THE COVER

continued from page 11

a.m. and finished around 4 p.m. More than 130 people were administered the first dose that day. Most long-term care facilities will be receiving the Moderna vaccine due to the specific refrigeration and temperature needs the Pfizer vaccine calls for. The residents were monitored for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine, and wellness checks were done the morning after for every resident. The follow-up clinic for Coville and Prentiss 1 takes place Feb. 1. JSL scheduled its next clinic for the first doses for Jan. 12-15, covering five buildings in that time span. Nancy Heinrich, CEO of JSL, also received the first dose of the vaccine on Jan. 4 and said a couple residents and staff have had minor side effects, but they all seem to be doing well. “We’re just thrilled, and we view this as a beginning of a new chapter and the end of the 2020 chapter, and we couldn’t be happier for our residents and the community at large as this continues to roll out,” she said. “Every journey starts with the first step, and we’re just happy to be on this journey.” BEAUMONT LOGISTICS Dr. Jeffrey Fischgrund, chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and chief of Clinical Services for Beaumont Health, led clinical operations for Beaumont’s COVID response and was heavily involved with a large team leading the vaccination efforts to roll it out in a short

JANUARY 14 • 2021

Dr. Jeffrey Fischgrund gives a thumbs-up after receiving the vaccine.

“THIS IS THE FIRST POSITIVE COVID NEWS WE’VE HAD IN ALMOST NINE MONTHS.” — BEAUMONT’S DR. JEFFREY FISCHGRUND

time. The Beaumont vaccinations started on Dec. 15; Fischgrund received the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 22. Like Henry Ford, the highest priority healthcare workers were identified, from everyone in the emergency department and COVID floors to the people who draw blood and clean the rooms. “They’re all vital to keep the hospital running, so that made up 11,000 people across our eight-hospital system,” Fischgrund said. When describing the logistics of the facilities receiving the vaccine, Fischgrund made clear that the vaccine is owned by the federal government, and that their shipment is totally dependent on what

their need is and what the state can give to them. “The federal government gives it to the state, the state gives it to us, and then we have to act as stewards of the vaccine,” Fischgrund said. Beaumont has eight sites and a central administrative building, and each site gets the same distribution from the state. As a health system, though, Beaumont chose to consolidate for safety and efficacy, with all doses going to the administrative building, where the vaccine clinic with pharmacists and nurses is set up. “It’s just been nonstop dayby-day issues we’ve had to face since March that we’ve never seen before,” Fischgrund

said, reflecting on the past year before the rollout. “This is the first positive COVID news we’ve had in almost nine months, and it’s just such a relief to see the faces of the people getting the vaccine. There’s such joy and happiness that we can start turning the corner.” According to Fischgrund, Beaumont Health has vaccinated more than 13,500 healthcare professionals as of Jan. 4 and will soon have capacity to vaccinate more than 3,000 people a day. RESEARCHER’S PRIDE Kate Zenlea, managing director of HFHS’ Global Health Initiative and the hospital’s Phase III vaccine trial for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, said the authorization of the Moderna vaccine they worked so hard on garners a sigh of relief and positive reflection. “Throughout the whole trial, the theme has resonated with all of us just how historic this time is, and years from now we’re all going to look back and remember the impact we had on curbing the pandemic,” Zenlea said. “Everyone was just very grateful and very excited to see all their hard work, their grit, their sacrifices and long hours come to fruition.” With her first-hand knowledge on the difference between the authorized Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, Zenlea says the two vaccines use very similar technologies. “There’s really very little difference between the vaccines,” Zenlea said. “The only true difference is the temperature at which each vaccine needs to be stored. The Pfizer vaccine does need to be kept colder than the Moderna, but that doesn’t really impact the receiver all that much.” The next step in the process,

according to Zenlea, includes the participants’ option to become unblinded, which means they can be told if they received the vaccine or the placebo in the trial if they want to. For those who received the placebo, they will be offered the Moderna vaccine that same day. For those who received the vaccine as part of their participation in the study, they won’t be offered anything since they’re already vaccinated. The unblinding process began Jan. 6, and includes bringing in 700+ participants, which could take a month or two. Zenlea received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the only COVID vaccine currently being offered to Henry Ford employees, on New Year’s Eve. “It was incredible to receive the vaccine on the last day of 2020,” Zenlea said. “Brought everything full-circle.”

COURTESY OF MOSES FRIDMAN

VACCINE TRIAL Moses Fridman, a resident of West Bloomfield, is currently a participant in the HFHS Moderna trial. When the pandemic started, Fridman

Moses Fridman

was hopeful there would be a trial in the area, wanting to do anything he could to help. “I’m not a physician or a public health professional, but

I saw this as an opportunity to do something against the pandemic, more than just staying home and wearing a mask,” Fridman said. Fridman volunteered for the Moderna trial and was accepted, eventually going to Henry Ford Hospital in September to fill out the consent forms and the intake questionnaire as well as take part in the double-blinded injection process. Fridman said he didn’t have much reaction to the first injection, just a sore arm. He got his second injection a month later, again feeling the sore arm, but then for the next half-a-day or so, he felt “rotten.” “I felt nauseous and had chills and a nasty headache,” Fridman said. “So, I took an ibuprofen, laid down and took a nap. By nighttime, I was feeling close to normal again and by the next day I was feeling normal.” While Fridman didn’t know if he received the trial vaccine or the placebo, his curiosity got the best of him, and he went to Kroger and paid out-of-pocket to get a rapid antibody test. The test eventually came back positive for the IGG antibody, which indicates an individual may have had the virus in the recent past and which may protect an individual from future infection. Because of the mixture of the minor side effects and the result of the antibody testing, Fridman, although not certain, believes he received the vaccine and not the placebo. While that may be the case, Fridman said he’s not in a hurry to get unblinded because if he indeed got the vaccine, he realizes his data is more valuable to the study if he stays blinded and continues practicing the safe measures of

What You Need to Know About the Vaccine

The state of Michigan is rolling out the vaccine in phases and in order of those deemed most at-risk, including the first groups to receive the vaccine, which were healthcare workers and long-term care residents and staff. The state moved to a new phase of vaccination Jan. 11. The new vaccination phase includes anyone over age 65 and frontline essential workers, including police officers, first responders, frontline state and federal workers, jail and prison staff, as well as teachers of grades pre-K-12 and childcare providers. Dr. Betty Chu, HFHS Associate Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Quality Officer, says HFHS is opening four clinic sites and two mass vaccination sites this week in accordance with the new vaccination phases. Chu says there will be a couple of channels for people to receive the vaccine once it becomes widely available, including the health system and community health department, but urges patience. “We’re talking about millions of people, and the infrastructure to vaccinate that many people is being built at the same time the infrastructure in the healthcare system is already very busy treating COVID patients,” Chu said. “We’ll probably be tapping into volunteer workforces to assist us with the efforts because our goal is to get as many shots in arms as possible and to really help the population get out of this pandemic.”

“OUR GOAL IS TO GET AS MANY SHOTS IN ARMS AS POSSIBLE.” — DR. BETTY CHU, HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM

masking and social distancing for a longer period. Michigan currently ranks 40th in vaccine administration among all states, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statewide inoculation is still a ways off. Fridman said he’s proud to help in any way and would encourage others to get the

vaccine when it’s available to them. “A half a day of mild to moderate discomfort compared to the risks of what can happen if you get COVID, I think I think it’s almost a no-brainer.” Do you know other COVID “vaccine heroes” for the Jewish News to profile? Let us know: letters@thejewishnews. com. JANUARY 14 • 2021

JEWSINTHED

Riot police push back a crowd of supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump after they stormed the Capitol building in Washington, DC on Jan. 6.

U.S. Capitol Stormed in Disturbing Scene Some insurrectionists had neo-Nazi ties; ADL, others call for Trump’s removal. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER ANDREW LAPIN EDITOR

n Wednesday, Jan. 6, as Congress prepared to ratify the Electoral College vote confirming President-elect Joe Biden’s win, mobs of Trump supporters clashed with police and broke into the U.S. Capitol building. Five people have died as a result of the attempted insurrection. Michigan members of Congress were among the many politicians sheltering in place. The riots began after President Trump hosted a rally where he repeated the false claims that the election was rigged and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. Vice President Mike Pence, presiding over the Senate, had also refused Trump’s requests to throw out the election results, though Pence was not constitutionally allowed to do Trump’s bidding. In a tweet sent during the siege, Democratic Rep. Elissa

JANUARY 14 • 2021

Slotkin said she remained safe in her office with Rep. Andy Levin (D), whose office building was evacuated. “I have seen firsthand today the bravery of the Capitol Police, and I’m thankful for their professionalism and dedication,” Slotkin tweeted. “Violence has absolutely no place in our politics. I implore protesters to remain peaceful in exercising their First Amendment rights, and I urge my colleagues to recognize where their actions have led us.” Two days later, the AntiDefamation League called for President Trump’s removal from office, either through impeachment, invoking the 25th amendment or his own resignation. This is the first time in the ADL’s 107-year history when they’ve called for the President of the United States to be removed from office. Wednesday “will forever be

remembered as one of the darkest days of American democracy and it makes unambiguously clear: President Trump is unfit for office and needs to be removed,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “ADL is principled. We feel like we stay in our lane. But extremists are extremists; they’re not protesters, and this was an assault,” ADL Michigan Regional Director Carolyn Normandin told the JN. “We felt as if our values obligated us to take a stand. These actions on Wednesday were a threat to democracy, and extraordinary actions call for extraordinary response.” The ADL joined many national groups and lawmakers also calling for Trump’s removal, including Michigan U.S. Reps. Slotkin, Levin, Haley Stevens, Brenda Lawrence, Debbie Dingell, Rashida Tlaib and Dan Kildee, and Sen.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES VIA JTA

NATIONAL

Gary Peters, all Democrats. A House vote on impeachment was expected to take place this week. In addition, newly swornin Michigan GOP Rep. Peter Meijer, from Grand Rapids, penned a Detroit News op-ed calling on his party to “be honest with itself,” acknowledge the election results and stop encouraging or justifying extremist behavior. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, also from Grand Rapids, has resigned her Cabinet post. The Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus (MDJC) has also called for President Trump’s removal. “Following (Wednesday’s) events, the President’s threat to the constitutional order has become imminent, and it is clear the country can no longer afford to wait until January 20th for a new commander-in-chief,” MDJC’s statement said. Some of the most immediate action has come from social media. Twitter has permanently banned Trump from the service, while Facebook has banned him for the remainder of his term in office. Many other tech companies have taken steps to deplatform Trump. Apple and Amazon have also discontinued service to the social media site Parler, which has become a haven for Trump supporters and far-right activity, including antisemitism. ADL, along with the Stop Hate for Profit coalition, has been pushing the hashtag #BanTrumpSaveDemocracy. Three Michigan GOP Reps. — Jack Bergman, Tim Walberg and Lisa McClain — were part of the 138 House Republicans who voted to deny certification of the Electoral College results in at least one state when the House reconvened after the riots.

MICHIGAN FORESHADOWING The U.S. Capitol siege took place nine months after armed anti-lockdown protesters gained entry into the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing in April. “There were lessons to be learned that weren’t,” state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who is Jewish, told Slate after the Capitol riots. “This happened in Michigan on April 30, Washington in January, and unless there’s a serious discussion about how American governance can be safe and secure, nothing will change. “The good news is that the chief enabler will be gone. The bad news is that no one will be able to control them.” The Michigan State Capitol in Lansing was closed the day after the U.S. Capitol riot due to a reported bomb threat. On Monday, Jan. 11, state legislators met in Lansing to discuss

banning open-carry firearms in the Capitol building. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell also reported that law enforcement in the area said there was a “strong Michigan contingent” to the rioters at the capitol. At least six people with Michigan ties were arrested in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot, according to the D.C. police. At least one of them was arrested on weapons charges, another was arrested for unlawful entry and violating the 6 p.m. curfew put in place, and four others were arrested for violating the curfew as well. In addition, several rioters inside the capitol were also identified as having ties to neo-Nazi and extreme rightwing groups. Photos of rioters at the U.S. Capitol show some wearing antisemitic clothing, including one wearing a sweatshirt reading “Camp Auschwitz.”

One rioter clad in all-black directed antisemitic language at an Israeli TV journalist covering the scene, JTA reported. But at least one rioter was Jewish: Aaron Mostofsky, the son of a prominent New York judge and former president of the National Council of Young Israel, wore a distinctive large fur suit as he roamed the Capitol, JTA reported. Some commentators compared the events at the Capitol to the Beer Hall Putsch, a failed 1923 German coup attempt by the Nazis that took place a decade before Adolf Hitler came to power. Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who was born in Austria in 1947, went a step further in an online video by comparing the riots to Krystallnacht, the “night of broken glass” in 1938 that precipitated the Nazis’ mass round-up of Jews in con-

centration camps. “The broken glass was in the windows of the United States Capitol,” Schwarzenegger said. “But the mob did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol. It has shattered the ideals we took for granted.” Schwarzenegger also drew a parallel to his own childhood growing up in the shadow of the Nazis: “I was surrounded by broken men drinking away their guilt with their participation in the most evil regime in history,” he said in the video. “Not all of them were rabid antisemites or Nazis. Many just went along step by step down the road. They were the people next door.” President-elect Biden told reporters the rioters “should be treated as a bunch of thugs, insurrectionists, [and] antisemites,” vowing that his Justice Department would prosecute those responsible.

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Donor

Deception New stories surface of fertility doctors’ misconduct in Metro Detroit. MAYA GOLDMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ore people in the area are thinking about their DNA heritage and coming forward with stories of their own fertility fraud experiences after the Detroit Jewish News reported last month that Dr. Philip Peven, a well-respected OB-GYN in the Detroit Jewish community, had secretly used his own sperm to artificially inseminate some patients (Dec. 24 cover story). The JN story, however, alarmed some readers who — although not having taken a DNA test or having any reason to suspect artificial insemination in their conception — are now curious about circumstances of their births. Plymouth resident Michele Santillan was delivered by Dr. Peven in 1971. After reading reports about his practices from the Jewish News and other news outlets, she began to wonder whether he may be her biological father. Her parents have passed away, and she can’t ask

JANUARY 14 • 2021

them directly, so she got a DNA testing kit to find out about her true parentage. “It just opened up a lot of questions for me, I guess, more than anything else,” she said. She hasn’t yet received her results. Over the course of his decades-long career, Dr. Peven delivered around 9,000 babies, some conceived via artificial insemination. It is unknown how many times Peven used his own sperm to artificially inseminate a patient, and to date he hasn’t taken a DNA test to help verify the number, according to his son Roger. Shortly before the publication of the JN story, the University of Michigan Medical School quietly removed an online article from its alumni magazine, originally published in 2017, that profiled Dr. Peven’s prolific fertility career. At 104, he is currently the oldest living alum of the medical school. A U-M Medicine spokesperson declined comment.

OTHER DOCTORS Indeed, Dr. Peven may not have been the only local OB-GYN to artificially inseminate patients using his own sperm without patients’ knowledge. A member of the Detroit Jewish community published an anonymous essay in the JN on March 7, 2019, detailing the experience of finding out they were donor-conceived by their mother’s doctor. The writer prefers to remain anonymous to protect their privacy. Though the person declined to share the name of the doctor, the writer confirmed it was not Dr. Peven and that their mother’s doctor worked at Women’s Hospital and Sinai Hospital. “In the end, I am convinced that neither of my parents knew the truth about my biological father, who handled the procedure in an unethical and short-sighted manner, and on a still-unknown number of patients,” the writer’s 2019 essay reads. The writer spoke to the JN again via an intermediary after the news of Dr. Peven’s actions broke. “I now realize that it was a different time, a time when doctors were not questioned, but I still consider the doctor’s behavior unprincipled, unethical and possibly dangerous,” the person said. In the 1950s, when the writer was born, most Jewish people in the Detroit area lived in the same neighborhoods and went to the same hospitals to give birth. “The possibility was certainly there that half-siblings could meet, marry and have children,” the person said. “I do realize the doctor was trying to be helpful in enabling couples to have a child, but he should have told the mother he was using his own sperm. I doubt most women would have said

yes to that scenario.” DOCTORS’ LIES Not every male fertility doctor in the mid-20th century was using his own sample to artificially inseminate patients, but practitioners were operating under a different set of social norms than today’s doctors, said Indiana University law professor Jody Madeira. Still, Madeira said, “at face, no matter what you’re practicing, you don’t lie to your patients.” When Lynne Weiner Spencer’s parents went to Dr. Sylvester Trythall’s Detroit fertility clinic for help conceiving, he told them he would use a medical student’s sperm to artificially inseminate Spencer’s mother, Spencer said. Spencer later found out that the doctor had lied, instead using the sperm of another patient’s husband who was a regular donor at his clinic. At the time, Dr. Trythall, who passed away in 1970, had told Spencer’s mother he’d mixed Spencer’s dad’s semen with that of a donor from the medical school, a common practice at the time, her mom told her. Spencer’s mother told her

COURTESY MICHELE SANTILLAN.

COURTESY OF LYNNE SPENCER

JEWSINTHED

ABOVE: Michele Santillan shows her birth certificate with Dr. Peven’s name on it, and the AncestryDNA kit her husband recently bought her. TOP LEFT: Jen Urbancyzk, Steve Heemsoth and Nicole Spencer look at photos of the Heemsoths at a “family reunion.”

‘FAMILY REUNIONS’ Spencer, Urbancyzk and many of the other siblings keep in touch on a private Facebook page and have even gathered for “family reunions” in the past. Spencer has also connected with Steve Heemsoth, the son of their donor. She’s been lucky to have had such a good relationship with a close relative of her

Half-siblings Lynne Spencer and Steve Heemsoth met up at a “family reunion.”

COURTESY OF LYNNE SPENCER

she’d been donor-conceived in 1993. Spencer then spent years looking through records of Wayne State University medical students, thinking one of them must have been her biological parent. After connecting with her first half-sibling through DNA tests in 2014, Spencer eventually deduced that their donor had not been a medical student, as the doctor had promised her parents. Instead, he was a man named Hank Heemsoth, who had worked for Chrysler and done odd jobs for Dr. Trythall around the house. Heemsoth passed away in 2006. “I was really upset because I spent so much time looking for someone who was a medical student,” Spencer told the JN. She said her objection to the revelation wasn’t Heemsoth’s status, but rather the deception practiced by her parents’ doctor. “Just because [Heemsoth was] not educated doesn’t mean that he’s not intelligent ... But just the fact that Dr. Trythall was lying to our parents — that’s not right.” Since then, Spencer has found 58 half-siblings who are also the donor offspring of Heemsoth (including the sister she grew up with, who turned out to have had the same donor). Most of their parents were patients of Dr. Trythall or his partners. Jen Urbanczyk, a half-sibling, confirmed that her parents were also told their donor would be a medical student.

donor, she said — he’s been to their “family reunion” and has given them information on his father’s health history. Steve told the JN that his father was “such a good guy, just real kind-hearted, quiet, and he just had such a good sense of humor.” He was a hard worker, he said, always working multiple jobs and staying busy. Steve actually came along with his dad to do yardwork at Dr. Trythall’s house when he was a kid. And, he said, “My dad did work in a hospital — but he worked in the hospital as a cook.” Steve never discussed his dad’s sperm donations with him. Still, Steve believes that doctors — and parents — should have been more open about donor-conception. “I think everybody should know the truth right up front,” he said. “We’re only around so many years and, I mean, honesty has always been the best policy.” A MOTHER’S SECRET Spencer and Steve’s half-sister Nichole McLendon agrees. She found out about her donor-conception in October 2020 after doing an at-home DNA test. She was contacted by a half-sibling who asked if she’d been donor-conceived. McLendon confronted her mother recently and got her to admit she’d used artificial insemination. But McLendon found it painful to think about

her mother keeping the secret through so many difficult life events, including McLendon’s own brain tumor and her dad’s dementia. “I was a gift. I was wanted. I couldn’t be conceived any other way. I don’t understand the shame she’s feeling,” she said. “I don’t understand why I had to find out at 43 from a stranger on Facebook. It shouldn’t be a mystery.” It’s unknown exactly how many times or for how long Hank Heemsoth donated sperm for Dr. Trythall and his partners. The Trythall clinic was sold several decades ago to other doctors and eventually became International Cryogenics, a Metro Detroit sperm bank. The ages of Heemsoth’s donor offspring that have so far been discovered are spread out over a period of more than 30 years, though Steve said he thinks his dad only donated for a period of 10-20 years. When contacted by the JN, International Cryogenics said they don’t give out the names of donors, but that they have never had someone donate for over 30 years. It’s within the realm of possibility Heemsoth’s samples were frozen, as there’s no limit to how long a sperm sample can be cryogenically preserved. McLendon decided to break the chain of secrecy and told her own children about her DNA discovery. She also told them that if they ever meet a romantic partner they’re serious about, she’ll purchase a DNA test for the partner. “I said, ‘You know, if there could be thousands of half-siblings of mine out there, how many then potential people related to you could be out there?’” she said. “It was a weird conversation.” NEED FOR TRUTH Looking back, Spencer said

there were some hints in her childhood that could have pointed to a donor-conception. Spencer grew up Jewish, and her father used to say he had some Native American blood mixed in with his Jewish heritage. Spencer and her sister both had olive skin, while their parents were paler. “I think it probably was his way of wondering if there was any other genetics in our background,” Spencer said. Spencer had also been active in Jewish youth groups and gone to Israel in high school, but she lost her connection to the religion in college. The discovery that Hank Heemsoth wasn’t Jewish means that Spencer is only 50% genetically Jewish — a revelation that has caused her some concern. “I wonder, well, did part of me have other leanings because of my genes?” she said. Either way, Spencer wishes there hadn’t been such an air of secrecy surrounding the circumstances of her birth. Even after her mother told her and her sister about their conception, she didn’t want to revisit the conversation. Part of it was stigma surrounding fertility issues, Spencer hypothesizes. But it was also because doctors had told their patients not to tell anybody, even their children, about their artificial inseminations, she said. “In my opinion, they were doing a lot of unethical things and there’s no oversight of what they’re doing, and they want it all kept ... behind closed doors,” she told the JN. But “I knew right away that I needed to talk about it,” she said. “I think it’s important that people know what is going on.” If you have information you would like to share with the JN concerning Dr. Peven, your family and/or other cases of donor deception, please get in touch: alapin@thejewishnews.com.

JANUARY 14 • 2021

JEWSINTHED

Keeping Seniors Safe at Home Two friends start home healthcare business — with personalized service at the forefront. JUDY GREENWALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ow more than ever, with a steadily increasing elderly population and continuing COVID-19 concerns, people are searching for compassionate and trustworthy care for their aging loved ones. With this in mind, two longtime friends combined their shared skills and interests to start a home healthcare business dedicated to personalized, professional caregiving. Matt Yaari, 32, of Royal Oak, and Guy Lavi, 31, of Matt Yaari Plymouth, have been close friends for more than 20 years. The two met at the Zionist youth group Guy Lavi Habonim Dror’s

JANUARY 14 • 2021

summer Camp Tavor and were active group members growing up. In 2012, Yaari received a degree in brain behavior and cognitive sciences from the University of Michigan. Lavi studied biology at Eastern Michigan University and, in 2013, completed the Huron Valley EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) program. It was their common interest in the healthcare field that led them to found My Family Home Care in September. “I was pre-med in college and worked as a caregiver to gain patient care experience,” said Yaari, who serves on the board of the Samaritan Counseling Center, a Farmington Hills-based provider of mental health counseling. “Medical school wasn’t right for me, so I

decided entrepreneurship was a better fit. I worked for a property management startup, learning business development and operations. I next worked as an insurance agent, to learn sales and marketing. Then moved to Bankers Life, selling Medicare supplement policies to get an understanding of senior healthcare insurance.” Lavi brings extensive medical knowledge and experience to the new business. “After completing the EMT program, I spent the next two years responding to medical emergencies, operating an ambulance and training new staff,” he said. “I received my paramedic’s license and have been working as a paramedic in the University of Michigan

Hospital’s emergency room and am a certified advanced cardiac life support instructor. I’m here to ensure My Family Home Care is providing the highest level of care.” The two believe the coronavirus pandemic created the opportunity for their startup and feel the nursing home model isn’t an appropriate place for seniors to age. “Nursing home residents make up less than 1% of our nation’s population, but account for 40% of coronavirus fatalities,” Lavi said. “It’s much safer to provide care to seniors in the comfort of their own homes.” In addition to Yaari and Lavi, the business employs one caregiver, a 21-year-old who is pursuing a nursing career. The two do plan to

add staff as the business grows. “Given the current pandemic-related unemployment, we’re eager to find high-quality compassionate caregivers and welcome the challenge of creating jobs that will pay higher than industry average in order to attract outstanding people,” Yaari noted. Lavi outlined the strategy to grow their client base. “We plan to use our connections in the Jewish community to find seniors needing assistance, but we will certainly take care of people of all faiths,” he said. “We’re here to support anyone who needs help and will accommodate our clients’ personal needs, faiths and

“IT’S OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT LOCAL SENIORS IN MAINTAINING THEIR INDEPENDENCE.” — MATT YAARI AND GUY LAVI

personalities to make their lives more comfortable.” FUTURE PLANS Offering in-home visits is designed with client comfort in mind, but the two are looking to expand in the future. “As we’re in our startup phase, we don’t have the capital to acquire homes, but in five to 10 years, we plan to buy homes to take care of our clients on-site, if that would be best for them,”

Yaari noted. MFHC services include 24/7 monitoring, companionship, personal hygiene, household tasks, meal preparation, laundry, shopping, Alzheimer’s/ dementia care, physical assistance and respite for family caregivers. Yaari and Lavi explained they’ll work with each client to create a customized care plan with differing fees based on clients’ individual needs.

“In Judaism, taking care of the sick is a huge mitzvah,” they said. “Our clients aren’t necessarily sick, but oftentimes they do have health issues. We have a passion for taking care of people. It’s our mission to support local seniors in maintaining their independence, allowing them to spend their golden years in the comfort of their homes. “We bring our unique personalities and experiences to our company. “Our guiding principle is to treat all our clients and staff like family.” For more information about My Family Home Care, call (248) 266-8004, or email caregiving@ myfamhc.com.

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

COURTESY OF JEROME FAMILY

JEWSINTHED

80 Years

Lola Jerome and her son Allan

Later

A pandemic Zoom reunion for local Holocaust survivor.

ROCHEL BURSTYN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ike so many others, the pandemic has been an especially lonely and challenging time for Lola Jerome, 95. Holed up in her apartment in Windsor, Canada, with safety only allowing limited masked visits from her local relatives and unable to see her relatives who live across the border, Lola has been feeling “gloomy.” “I don’t remember anything like this in all my lifetime,” she said. And Lola has lived through a lot. She was born in 1925 to a religious family in Czeladz, Poland. In 1940, two Germans came to her house, grabbed her, threw her in a cattle car and sent her to a camp located in the Aloys Haase factory, a subcamp of Gross-Rosen concentration camp. There she made spools of thread for the next four-and-a-half years.

JANUARY 14 • 2021

It was through a series of miracles that Lola survived. One day, a pair of scissors dropped on her foot, which quickly became infected due to lack of medical care. Incredibly, the lagerführerin (female German camp manager) lied to the Nazis about how long she’d been in the hospital so she wouldn’t get taken to Auschwitz. Soon Lola was hopping and limping, forced to walk five kilometers each day with a bad foot while trying to hide her injury from the Nazis. When it was especially painful, her friends, though skinny and weak themselves, dragged her between them so she wouldn’t have to walk on her foot. “It was bashert [destiny] I am here. Nobody survived from my family. I believe in bashert; if it is meant to be, it’s going to happen,” Lola said during her

Living History interview for the Holocaust Memorial Center in 2016. After the liberation, Lola set about trying to rebuild what she had lost, marrying her husband, Itcha Jerosolimski. They later changed their name to Jerome. Relatives who had moved to Canada before the war sponsored Lola and Itcha. “Like my aunt used to say, Canada is a goldene medina (golden country), but you have to work really hard to make a living.” They raised five sons together, and though Itcha passed away in 1998, she still enjoys nachas from her children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Lola’s son and daughter in law, Allan and Julie Jerome of West Bloomfield, unable to visit her since March, created email,

Facebook and Zoom accounts for Lola to better keep in contact during this challenging time. They were excited when a long-lost connection was discovered which gave Lola a much-needed boost. “I’m in a Bedzin-SosnowiecZawiercie Area Research Society Facebook group,” Julie shared. “I keep my ear out for anything that my mother-in-law might find interesting. “In November, I saw someone had posted something about her aunt, Minga Feldman, being a seamstress before the Holocaust. My mother-in-law was an extremely talented seamstress, even when she was a child. I asked my mother-inlaw if she recognized the name.” Lola did not, but she remembered a Tauba Feldman — who, it turned out, was Minga’s relative. Allan and Julie set to work trying to organize a reunion Zoom call between Lola and Tauba, who now lives in Israel. There was a slight language barrier. Lola speaks Polish, English and Yiddish; Tauba speaks Polish, Hebrew and Yiddish, and neither Lola’s caretaker or Tauba’s niece, who helped with the call, speak fluent English. Allan, who has been gathering information about his family tree and connecting lost family members from around the world since 2012, participated in the call, too. “They needed some guidance; I think they felt shy at first. But when I shared old photos on the screen, both became very engaged,” he said. Most fascinating was when they discovered both Lola and Tauba spent some of the war years in the same camp. Allan is hoping that with a little more prep work and jogging of childhood memories, their next reunion call will be even more gratifying for both parties.

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COURTESY OF CHERKASKY FAMILY

JEWSINTHED

Janice and Richard Cherkasky with a food package.

A New Year’s Eve to Remember Pandemic doesn’t stop epic Zoom New Year’s party. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

anice Cherkasky has been able to immerse herself in parties. Besides hosting them for family and friends, she plans them for others through her business, Gourmet Parties. Over the past 15 years, she and her husband, Richard, have invited about 40 guests to their Franklin home in celebration of New Year’s Eve. Beyond traditions, annual partygoers have found fun activities by going along with different themes, from Motown to cowboy territory. With 2021 on the horizon, the Cherkaskys refused to let pandemic confinement stop their get-togethers. Using the Zoom platform to replace at-home gatherings, Janice came up with ideas that would connect guests while keeping them socially distanced. “I just wanted everybody to feel a little bit normal, relax and have a good time,” said Janice, who, for the very first time, hosted a party wearing slippers because nobody would see them.

JANUARY 14 • 2021

“It’s been a rough year being apart, and we wanted to connect with people we enjoy.” Of course, food had to be part of the planning, and Janice picked up on the ideas of variety and homemade favorites. Each participant or couple was asked to prepare something tempting with two big bites for everyone. The Cherkasky porch, outfitted with a table, kept guests distanced as they dropped off their foods and later picked up the inclusive packages. “We hadn’t seen these people for a while, so it was great to watch for them and wave through our windows,” said Richard, who joined his wife in setting up an assembly line in their kitchen to sort and divide the foods. “The experience made me feel very New Age.” Andi Sklar, a longtime Cherkasky partygoer, was especially appreciated for her decision to bring a Jewish sense to the party menu. Because the new year began on a Friday, she made little challah rolls for everyone.

“Back in July, I started taking Zoom challah classes, and I’ve given away hundreds of challahs in different shapes,” said Sklar, known for creating tempting confections sold through her former business, Andi’s Candies. “Making challahs is something I can do and share with other people. For the party, it was fun sharing and being together.” Mixologist Tammy Coxen of Tammy’s Tastings in Ann Arbor was asked to demonstrate how to prepare three special beverages — one nonalcoholic. In advance of the party, each guest was emailed a list of the drinks and what ingredients would be needed so they could learn and prep simultaneously. SCAVENGER HUNT Ruth and Alvin Kwaselow, who have joined in the new year parties since the beginning, had fun with the home-based scavenger hunt thought out by their hosts. The Kwaselows divided up the list and hurried around their house. Ruth Kwaselow had entered into the party mood earlier by preparing seafood phyllo tartlets. Her husband drove them to the Cherkasky porch, and returned to pick up one of the combination packages. Among the treats were tomato basil soup, chicken wings, vegetable lasagna, lemon squares and brownies. “We especially loved the stuffed mushrooms, and I’m going to make them,” Ruth said. “Janice asked that we provide recipes, and I thought that was a great idea. “I’ve attended a Zoom bar mitzvah party, but this was very different because it was so interactive. Janice is always creative and thought of a great way of bringing people together.” Janice, who does scavenger hunts with grandchildren,

thought an adult version could get everyone engaged and laughing a little bit. “I picked silly things normally in a home,” she explained of the items that included a bandage, candy bar, mother’s picture, newspaper and hand sanitizer container. The ones who got the most items in 10 minutes — Wendy and Howard Hertz and Suzi and Hal Muskovitz — will get prizes to be delivered soon. Because of the digital platform, the Cherkaskys were able to include people out of town, who developed their own menus but participated in watching the mixologist and taking on the scavenger hunt. Reunions were welcomed with participants based in New York, California, Illinois, Arizona and Florida. As a hosting bonus because of Zoom, the larger guest list did not mean extra work. “Richard and I haven’t yet decided what the scavenger hunt winners will get — maybe a gift card, maybe something else,” the party planner said. “Whatever it is, I hope it keeps a party feeling for them and for us as we leave 2020 behind.” Ruth and Alvin Kwaselow go over their scavenger hunt list.

against them … Being supportive of Israel, or not necessarily agreeing that Israel is the biggest threat to peace and all that stuff, puts you in a different camp.” Lewis attended the school during the 2018-2019 academic year, choosing the program for its prestigious international studies and diplomacy curriculum. He knew the topic of Israel would come up in his classes, and he was prepared to receive some pushback for his support of the country.

Noah Lewis

Payback for Antisemitism

U-D student gets $20,000 tuition refund from SOAS college in London. MAYA GOLDMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jewish student who attended the SOAS University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) has received a full tuition refund (15,000 British pounds — slightly over $20,000) after filing a complaint to the school regarding the toxic antisemitism he experienced as a student there. The university will also conduct an investigation into his claims. The news of the refund and investigation came on Dec. 29, after the student, Noah Lewis, appealed an original decision from the school that offered an apology for the emotional trauma Lewis endured and compensation of only 500 pounds — about $680. The original decision “didn’t

really acknowledge any of my concerns, and they offered me essentially 500 pounds to just get lost, in a way,” Lewis, who now attends law school at the University of Detroit-Mercy and University of Windsor, told the Detroit Jewish News. Lewis feels the new decision to refund his entire tuition legitimizes his claim that the the school has a culture of antisemitism and inflexibility when it comes to differing viewpoints. “It’s a very left-wing school, which isn’t an issue,” Lewis said. But “the best way I can say it is you’re either with them [or]

‘ZIONISM EQUALS NAZISM’ But he wasn’t prepared for the degree of anti-Israel sentiment he perceived in his courses. Zionism was sometimes compared to Nazism, he told the JN. Every day on his way to class he’d see a sign taped to the window of the building that said “SOAS for BDS,” referring to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement. “It was always putting Israel into the negative way,” he said. “They promote themselves as being a very diverse learning environment, which is absolutely true, but it stops when it comes to Jewish people wanting to be heard.” Lewis decided to leave the program early, after classes had finished but before he wrote a dissertation. He had toyed with the idea of writing about cultural bias against Israel at the United Nations, but he’d already gotten backlash from peers when he posted his idea on an online forum. He realized it was unlikely the idea would get approved or that he’d find a professor willing to help him with the project. When he got back home to

AntiSemitism Project

Toronto in the spring of 2019, he began to put together his thoughts on the climate at the school. “I’d already known about what the school was, and I started to hear that there were a lot more instances from in the past and people who had expressed similar views to me,” he said. That led to the submission of an official complaint to the school, and to the subsequent appeal. The Lawfare Project, which provides pro bono legal services to Jewish people engaged in civil rights cases, and UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) assisted Lewis throughout the process. The SOAS appeal panel said in its decision that it was clear the original complaint hadn’t been properly investigated. “The panel considered the objection that it would be inappropriate for every complaint from any individual student to trigger a full scale and meticulous, perhaps external, investigation of the whole culture at the School and the Student Union … But it also came to the view that in this instance, there was a prima facie case which did warrant such a full investigation,” the panel said in its statement, which was quoted on the UKFLI website. Lewis is satisfied with the outcome of the appeal and hopes to see real change come out of the situation. A new director of the school, South African Professor Adam Habib, joins this month. “I’m very happy that I was able to raise awareness, and I’m hoping that the new director who’s coming into place at the school won’t try to do anything to interfere with or prevent this ongoing investigation because I still think that’s something very important that needs to go on,” he said. JANUARY 14 • 2021

JEWSINTHED

What Our Neighbors Think of Us

AJC surveys Jews’ and non-Jews’ opinions on antisemitism. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

AJC

ust a little over half of Americans know the meaning of “antisemitism” — while 46% of the general public are not familiar with the term at all. More than six in 10 Americans believe antisemitism in this country is a problem compared to 88 percent of Jewish Americans who agreed with this statement two years in a row. These are two main findings in The State of Antisemitism in America 2020 — a first-ever survey released by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) that examines the perceptions of non-Jews about antisemitism. The study also included a parallel survey of American Jews asking similar questions as well as inquiries on whether they had been impacted directly by antisemitism in the past year. Although acts of hatred or bias against Jews may have slipped from the headlines since the onset of the pandemic and the election, antisemitism is not a Jewish problem, the AJC says: It is an American one and needs to be addressed. To assure the most ironclad data and methodology, AJC hired the SSRS Opinion Panel — the same firm that conducts surveys for CNN and Pew Research. SSRS conducted the study this year via telephone Sept. 9-Oct. 4. National representative samples included 1,334 Jews and 1,010 general

JANUARY 14 • 2021

population adults ages 18 or older. The margin of error for the survey of American Jews is plus or minus 4.2%, and for the survey of U.S. adults, it is 3.7%. Among the general population: • 53% say they are familiar with the term antisemitism and know what it means. Nearly half of Americans do not, with 21% saying they have never heard the word and 25% saying that, while they have heard of it, they are unsure what it means. • 63% of U.S. adults say that antisemitism is a problem in the U.S. today while 33 percent say it is not a problem. 43% said antisemitism has increased over the last five years. • 48% report having witnessed an antisemitic attack, be it online in social media or physical attacks against Jewish individuals or Jewish buildings or homes of Jews. Among the Jews surveyed: • 88% — the exact percentage of last year’s survey — believe antisemitism in the U.S. today is very serious (37%) or somewhat of a problem (51%). • 82% say antisemitism has increased during the last five years. • 31% have avoided going to Jewish places or events out of concern for their safety. • 24% say they have avoided publicly wearing, carrying or displaying items that might

identify them as Jews since the Tree of Life shooting in October 2018. • 37% reported being the target of an antisemitic incident, such as a physical attack or an antisemitic remark online or in person, by mail or by phone in the past five years. However, 76 percent of those who were targeted did not report the incident. • 43% of those ages 18-29 say they have either personally experienced antisemitism on a college campus or know someone who has.

zation considered it to be antise- issues with broader societal mitic. Only 25% said that this issues like the ability to practice would make them more likely to religion safely and securely. This consider that idea or statement is an American issue that we antisemitic. should all get behind.” “We listen to Blacks, the Participants were also read LGBTQ commustatements about nity and Muslims Jewish loyalty to Israel the to define what is and were asked if racist, homophobic refuting the legitimacy and Islamophobic, Project and existence of Israel as a Jewish state could and it is disturbing be considered antisemitic. Some to me to see the lack of defer85% of American Jews and 74% ence toward Jews when we try of the general public agreed to define what is hateful to us,” that the statement “Israel has Huffnagle said. no right to exist” is antisemitic, “It has long been AJC’s indicating that large majorities objective that the International of both Jewish and non-Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Americans believe Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Zionism — the antisemitism be more widely belief that Israel has adopted. We need to work with no right to exist — to other groups, government offibe a form of Jewcials and institutions outside hatred. of the Jewish community to Rabbi Asher Rabbi Asher have a better understanding of Lopatin Lopatin, executive what antisemitism is and why director of Jewish it should be important to them. Community Relations Council/ We need to connect antisemitic

AntiSemitism

Welcome! DEFINING ANTISEMITISM Holly Huffnagle, AJC U.S. director for combating antisemitism, said she was “startled” about the “lack of deference” non-Jews show toward Jews in defining the term. The study revealed nearly two thirds (65%) of U.S. adults said it would make no difference in their opinion of a given statement or idea if a Jewish individual or an organi-

Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest Center for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery – Farmington Hills Center

AJC Detroit, said the findings are crucial in showing the broader community and the other ethnic and religious organizations he works with that antisemitism is something that weighs heavily in Jewish consciousness. “We have an uphill battle. Jews must work toward letting the broader community know our sensitivities, just like we are sensitive to racism,” Lopatin said. “This [understanding] is not something that can be forced, and others must come to understanding antisemitism on a gradual basis on their own through meaningful dialogue.” Lopatin was encouraged that non-Jews viewed denying Israel’s existence as a form of antisemitism. “Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are two sides of the same coin,” Lopatin said. “AJC uses the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which states that singling out Israel with double standards is problematic.”

Dr. Kleinsmith received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, and her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Kleinsmith completed her dermatology Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest Center for Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest Center for Dermatology & Cosmetic Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery — Farmington Hills Center. residency at Henry Ford Hospital, Center Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgeryfor – Farmington Hills Center Dr. Kleinsmith Kleinsmith received her bachelor’s degree from Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest where sheDr.was Chief Resident. Surgery – Farmington Hills Center

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Dr. Kleins

Center for Dermatology & Cosmetic Michigan State University, and her degree from Dr. Kleinsmith hasmedical joined Midwest Dr. Kleinsmith received her Surgery – Farmington Hills Center Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr.Cosmetic Kleinsmith Center for Dermatology & bachelor’s degree from Michigan Dr. Kleinsmith received her completed her residency at Dr. Henry Ford Hospital, Kleinsmith received her Surgery – Farmington Hills Center State University, and her medical bachelor’s degree from Michigan bachelor’s from Michigan wherefrom shedegree was Chief Resident. degree Wayne State University State University, and her medical

State University, and her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Kleinsmith Dr. Kleinsmith received her Dr. Kleinsmith is a School of Medicine. Dr. Kleinsmith degree from State completed herWayne dermatology bachelor’s degree from University Michigan Board Certified Dermatologist. completed her dermatology residency Henry Ford State University, and her medical School of at Medicine. Dr.Hospital, Kleinsmith residency at Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Kleinsmith Dr. Kleinsmith where she was Chief Resident. where she was Chief Resident. degreeher from Wayne State University completed dermatology School Medicine. Kleinsmith residency atof Henry FordDr. Hospital, 31275 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY, SUITE #140 • FARMINGTON HILLS completed her dermatology Dr. Kleinsmith she was Chief Resident. 24 where 8 . 5 38 . 0109 mwdermatology.com | drkleinsmithdermatology.com residency at Henry Ford Hospital, where she was Chief Resident.

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

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Giving Back

Barry M. Klein Center established at Oakland University. DAVID KLINGER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

that will further grow the George R. and Helen Klein Memorial Scholarship and create two new initiatives: the Barry M. Klein Scholarship Endowed Fund and the Barry M. Klein Center for Culture and Globalization. The George R. and Helen Klein Memorial Scholarship in the School of Education and Human Services, was established by Klein in 1997 to honor his parents, George R. and Helen Klein, and to give back to the university “that taught him to think critically.” At the time, he said, “It’s OU

arry M. Klein was a devoted alumnus, supporter and unwavering advocate for Oakland University. With his passing on Jan. 18, 2020, OU lost a generous and loyal Barry M. friend. Klein As a final act of support, Klein made a transformative gift through his estate which, in part, has established the Barry M. Klein Center for Culture and Globalization. In 2003, Klein made an initial bequest gift commitment through his estate. Recently, the estate made an additional multimillion-dollar gift

a wonderful thing to be able to help people who have the talent and ability but not the financial wherewithal … to give them the opportunity to come to Oakland. It makes me feel very good to see that through scholarships we can attract more gifted students to OU.” Klein graduated from Oak Park High School in 1964. He was admitted to OU, graduating in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. As a self-described member of the 1960s counterculture, he said he appreciated OU’s intellectual freedom and diversity. The scholarship supports students in the Honors College who do not qualify for other forms of financial aid. The Barry M. Klein Center for Culture and Globalization is a realization of Klein’s vision to recruit world-class scholars to OU, promote national and

international dialogue, and create opportunities for students and faculty to experience culture and globalization studies on an unprecedented level. The Center will be housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. Kevin Corcoran, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences said, “Through the Center, OU will become a place for deep thinking about issues related to globalization and culture. The Klein Center will enrich and educate our students and community and inspire people to make positive changes here in Southeast Michigan, and throughout the world.” Join Oakland University and Barry Klein’s widow, Linda Walsh-Klein, in a virtual celebration of the life and legacy of Barry M. Klein on Jan. 18, 2021, at 2 p.m. Contact donorrelations@oakland.edu to register for this virtual event.

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JEWSINTHED

TOP: Lois Teicher stands over her grandchildren: Carsen Teicher, Caden Teicher, Max Teicher, Molly Bonnell, Mischa Teicher and Emily Bonnell.

ESSAY

End of an Era Last artist moves out of Detroit’s Atlas Building.

y mother, Lois Teicher, began renting her 2,000-square-foot studio at the Atlas Building on Gratiot Avenue in Detroit in 1982. The building was a wellknown artists enclave and, today at 82 years old, she is the last artist to move out of the building. The Atlas Building, across from Eastern Market, was home to the Atlas furniture company in the 1920s. My mom decided on the Atlas Building for several reasons. “There were other artists in the building, and it’s

create, use the Mig welder, store her work, party with other artists and have her sacred space. “We were all serious artists,” she said. “They were well known in my generation, John Piet, Gary Kulak, Christine Hagedorn, Gloria Joseph and Gary Eleinko, to name a few. We were all making art in that building, and it was wonderful.” Teicher welded in her studio, throwing fireproof drywall on the wood floors, so nothing caught fire. “I welded my sculptures for 38 years in this raw

“WE WERE ALL MAKING ART IN THAT BUILDING, AND IT WAS WONDERFUL.” TEICHER/BONNELL

— LOIS TEICHER

always nice to have a community,” she said. “Plus, the rent was reasonable.” The rent was $350, and it was never raised. For 40 years, she drove her truck and later her work van down the cobblestone street behind the building to her studio where she would ponder,

JANUARY 14 • 2021

space,” she said. “We didn’t show our work here; this was just to create the work.” Artists usually worked during the day and held some sort of teaching job at night to keep a steady income. “We had wonderful parties on the roof,” she said. “We looked at

TEICHER/BONNELL

LAURA BONNELL SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

the city. We had music and food. It was a blast, and we danced. Whatever field you’re in, it’s nice to have your people to hang out with.” My brothers, Noah and Joshua, and I thought the studio was the coolest place. Later, when my girls were born and old enough, I would leave them for hours with my mom at her studio. I believe the experience was life-changing for both my girls. They spent hours creating, learning from their grandmother and being messy. My mom’s work can be seen everywhere (her sculpture outside of the Scarab Club in Detroit, for example), and her awards and accolades are endless. NEW STUDIO The new owners of the Atlas Building are relocating her to a new studio on Division Street in the Eastern Market, and the rent

is reasonable. We’re so grateful to Sanford Nelson of FIRM Real Estate. “Your mother, Lois, is truly a treasure,” he said. “I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know her over the last couple years, and she has been a great resource of information for me given her long history in the market. I am also an admirer of her work and have collected a few pieces from her.” Nelson says a lot of renovations need to be made to the Atlas Building because it’s in major disrepair. The six-story Atlas Building will be transformed and completed into residential apartments by 2022. When I am 82 years old, I want to be like my mother: still working, going with the flow of life and cherishing the memories. This is the end of an era for the building, but not for my mother. She’s not slowing down; a new era begins for her in 2021.

Olim Making a Difference

Detroit native leads charge for women’s heart health in Israel. AMIR SHOAM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

and a psychologist who help her create a personal program. The center also uses lectures and traditional and social media to increase awareness of women’s cardiovascular health, and trains HR managers and community leaders to create healthier environments. The Pollin Center dedicates many of its resources toward populations at risk. Israeli studies say that the risk of heart disease-related mortality in Israeli Arab women is 60% higher than in Israeli Jewish women. The center operates a

Facebook page in Arabic, and many students and teachers participate in its women’s health program in eastern Jerusalem schools each year. There are also programs for haredi, disabled and disadvantaged women. Like any organization, the Pollin Center had to adjust in the face of the pandemic, moving everything to Zoom, a difficult task, as the center normally conducts activities such as walking groups and group workshops. PLANNING FOR ALIYAH Zfat-Zwas made aliyah in 2007 with her husband, Jonathan Huppert, a professor and former head of psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and their four children, who were then between the ages of 1 and 7. Even before they met, both spouses knew they wanted to make aliyah one day. “We both considered it to be a first-date question,” Huppert said. The couple was aided by Nefesh B’Nefesh, a pro-aliyah organization supported by Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, KKL (Jewish National PHOTO BY AVI HAYUN

etroit native Dr. Donna Zfat-Zwas, 57, recalls that as a medical resident, if she saw a woman with chest pain in the ER, checking for a heart attack was one of the last things she did. “Heart diseases are traditionally considered to be men’s diseases,” said Zfat-Zwas, now the director of the Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Center for Women at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. “In Israel, awareness of women’s heart problems is even lower than it is in the U.S.,” she added. “Women differ metabolically and may have different symptoms of heart disease than men, and it’s important they know that.” The Pollin Center was established in 2013 with a donation by Irene Pollin, who died last July at age 96. The Center works on several levels to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in women: Every patient with a disease or several risk factors sees a cardiologist, a nutritionist, a physical therapist

PHOTO BY JONATHAN HUPPERT

ERETZ

TOP: Left to right: Dr. Donna Zfat-Zwas with her children Eliav (17), Yonah (20), Hadas (18) and Geffen (14) at Givat HaTurmusim (Lupine Hill), near Biet Shemesh. ABOVE: Zfat-Zwas, (center in hat), visits a girls’ school in eastern Jerusalem as part of a program to incorporate health teaching into schools, with the emphasis on nutrition and physical activity.

Fund) and JNF-USA. “My husband and I had visited Israel and we both had jobs lined up, so Nefesh B’Nefesh mostly helped us with the paperwork,” Zfat-Zwas said. “They connected us with another family of new olim so we could help each other out.” As a Modern Orthodox, Zfat-Zwas has fond memories of Detroit’s Jewish community, where she often visits her parents and brother. “I miss the closeness and the cohesion of the community, which is like an extended family,” she said. “In the U.S., being Jewish and religious is special and feels more cherished.” Her husband, who visits his family and colleagues in Philadelphia and New Jersey, added, “I miss Sundays. Saturday is Shabbat, but Sunday is like a real day off.” (In Israel, Sundays are work days.) Zfat-Zwas said she found parenting in Israel to be harder, as children are more independent. Huppert said that for almost three years, discussions around the family table have been revolving around the IDF service of their two eldest daughters. Both spouses said they were proud to take part in building the Jewish state, and they were satisfied with the national influence they had gained by making aliyah, being able to work with national institutions such as Israel’s Ministry of Health. Shortly after the aliyah, Huppert met a non-Jewish colleague at an international conference and told him that he had moved to Israel. “He asked me, ‘Why would you do that?’” Huppert said. “I told him that for a Jew, moving to Israel is like returning home.” JANUARY 14 • 2021

MOMENTS BIRTHS

MAZEL TOV!

SEPT. 12, 2020 Dr. Stefanie Sherman and Dr. Bobby Dekker are overjoyed to announce the birth of their precious daughter, Eleanor Bari Dekker (Esther Nava). Delighted grandparents are Fanny and Jeffrey Sherman, and Debbie and Robert Dekker. Eleanor is the great-granddaughter of Edward Sherman, Sara Pancer and Esther Godfrey. She is lovingly named in memory of her great-grandparents Esther Sherman, Noel Pancer, Beverly Dekker and Kenneth Godfrey.

Joshua Bradley Gotlieb, son of Marci and Ryan Gotlieb, will become a bar mitzvah Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at The Temple in Atlanta, Ga. He will be joined in celebration by his sister Alexis, brother Zachary and proud grandparents Dr. Norman and Dee Dee Lynn of West Bloomfield, and Raymond and Rosalie Gotlieb of Birmingham, Ala. Josh is a seventh-grade student at Ridgeview Charter Middle School in Atlanta. For one of his mitzvah projects with Creating Connected Communities, he packed Winter Smile Bags to donate to children in need.

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@ renmedia.us or (248) 351-5147 for information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines.

Max Lewis will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at Temple Shir Shalom on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. He is the son of Sidra and

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

families with limited access to children’s books during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeremy Lewis, the older brother of Jesse Lewis, the grandson of Frances Berman and the late Joseph Berman, and Marsha and Barry Lewis. Max is a student at Warner Middle School in Farmington Hills. For his mitzvah project, he has been raising money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Lilly Anne Morris, daughter of Amy Morris and Michael Morris, will lead the congregation in prayer on the occasion of her bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. She will be joined in celebration by her proud grandparents Dr. Jess and Barbara Kraft, and Dr. Leon and Barbara Morris. Lilly attends Royal Oak Middle School. For her mitzvah project, she volunteered as a virtual story reader for Brilliant Detroit and assisted

Logan Eli Rotenberg (Lavi Adon) will be called to the Torah as he celebrates his bar mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. He will be joined by his proud parents, Marci and Steve Rotenberg, his brother Max and his sister Sydni. Sharing in his simchah will be his grandparents Rena and Larry Singer, Zona and Richard Ribiat, and Emily Rotenberg of Altamonte Springs, Fla. He is also the grandson of the late Norman Rotenberg. Logan attends Warner Middle School in Farmington Hills. For his mitzvah project, he held a can and bottle drive to raise money for Turtle Creek Farm. The money raised helped buy food and cages for the animals.

Bookkeeper/Office Administrator Job Opportunity 24 – 30 hour per week position for Bookkeeper/Office Administrator in West Bloomfield Synagogue. This job is an ideal position for an experienced and capable multi-tasker who can follow through on the many aspects of bookkeeping in a relaxed small office atmosphere. Job Description • Day to day bookkeeping • Oversee AP/AR • Handle payroll • Follow up with members and vendors • Answer phone calls and emails

Job Requirements • Past Bookkeeping/Office Experience • Knowledge in Peachtree and Microsoft Excel • Excellent communication skills • Ability to multi-task • Attention to detail

Please send resume including experience and references to cbminfo@bnaimoshe.org

MILESTONES

Rott-Gelfand

rthur and Julie Rott of West Bloomfield are thrilled to announce the engagement of their son Ryan Seth to Nicolette Faith Gelfand, daughter of Allison and Lee Gelfand of Merrick, N.Y. Nikki received her dual master’s degree in autism and special education from Columbia University. She works at a private school in Manhattan, teaching students with autism. Ryan received his law degree from the University of Michigan and is a tax attorney in Manhattan. He is additionally pursuing a master of laws degree in tax from New York University. Ryan and Nikki are planning an October wedding at Capitale in New York. They currently reside in Manhattan.

Chutz 40th

ebbie and Jeff Chutz of Bloomfield Hills will celebrate their 40th anniversary on Jan. 18, 2021, by recreating their wedding band’s set list on Spotify, enjoying appetizers, entrees and a very small sweet table by DoorDash, and dancing with their children, Ben Chutz and Dani Gillman, Zack and Jenna Chutz, Evie and Scott Sonenberg, and grandchildren, Brodie, Julian, Sophia, Annika and Levi, for the full 40 minutes allowed on Zoom.

Allweil-Fazilova

lena Fazilova and Jacob Allweil married Dec. 29, 2020, in Vienna, Austria. Elena is the daughter of Lola and Yakov Fazilova of Vienna, Austria. Jacob is the son of Catherine Brown and Mandel Allweil of Linwood, Mich., formerly of Southfield. The couple will reside in Charlotte, N.C.

JANUARY 14 • 2021

SPIRIT

TORAH PORTION

An Eco Revelation

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

arshat Vaera is the H1N1 swine flu, the rodent most theological parhantavirus and COVIDshah, as God reveals 19 originate when humans Godself to the world at encroach on the habitat of the burning bush and then wild animals (plague 4) usuthrough the first seven plagues ally to raise cattle and swine upon Egypt: bloody for meat leading to the water, frogs, lice, mixcommunication of wild ture (of insects or wild animal virus to rodents or animals), livestock peslivestock (plague 5) and tilence, boils and hail. then to humans. The Spanish rabbi Recognizing God as the Bahya ben Asher ibn system of interconnection Rabbi Nadav Halawa (1255–1340), in which we dwell is to Caine explains that God is recognize that our actions Parshat “the hand that directs produce chain reactions. all of the phenomena Vaera: Exodus Denying God is to act as 6:2-9:35; of the world which if the outcomes of our Ezekiel exercise their influence 28:25-29:21. actions go maybe one step on our lives in one and then stop and that we form or another.” Our theolog- are entitled to our short-sightical error, he argues, is when edness. we change “all” to “some.” It’s Do human beings really not that God causes some deny the existence of chain things and not others: God is reactions within large systems? the system of interconnected Actually, yes, all the time. For causes and effects. God is the instance, people continue to great ecosystem in which we use plastics that are not recydwell, and Vaera dramatizes cled without thought to its how the system behaves. consequences. As long as they Today, there are several expla- don’t see immediate consenations of the plagues. In one quences, people do not see a hypothesis, an aberrant El Niño reason to change their behavinitiates the chain reaction of ior. This is what it means that the plagues. In another, a torPharaoh’s heart continues to rential overflow floods the Nile harden. As soon as one plague with reddish silt, flagellates and recedes, Pharaoh goes back to anthrax spores. Another says it business as usual in denying began with a red algae plume. God. We do this all the time. The theories all agree on one Torah is teaching us that we thing: Each successive “plague” have the special gift of foreis part of a chain reaction that knowledge, of understanding plays out within ecological sysour interconnection in the tems. An oxygen-deprived Nile system recognizing that every causes death and frog exodus. action, or inaction, has a ripRotting frog carcasses attract ple effect on the system and vermin and their lice, then fly on the future. swarms, followed by cattle disRabbi Nadav Caine is the rabbi at ease and so on. Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor. In our day, we have learned His podcast ”Judaism for the Thinking that viruses like HIV, the Person” is widely available.

NICELY

ARTS&LIFE THEATER

ing job, and it’s expanded my knowledge,” said Schwartz, who is featuring snippets of cast members promoting the production running Jan. 15-29. “They’re hoping I can help attract younger audiences to their performances. “This production has not been made in Zoom style with people in different loca-

tling outlooks are Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, the Little Mermaid, Mulan, Pocahontas and the Princess Who Kissed the Frog. Actors have been directed by Mitch Master, whose stage experience has included work as director of performing and visual arts at Frankel Jewish Academy and co-director of

“THEY’RE HOPING I CAN HELP ATTRACT YOUNGER AUDIENCES.” — RUBY SCHWARTZ

Ruby Schwartz

Enchanted by Theater

Recent high school grad helps market Disenchanted!, the Nicely Theatre Group’s next production. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen Ruby Schwartz was beginning her senior year at Groves High School, she began thinking about becoming a college freshman in 2020. Besides looking ahead to chemistry and marketing classes, Schwartz wanted to participate in extracurricular activities, particularly theater productions. Schwartz had expressed theater interests for two years as part of the stage crew of the Groves performing arts program and was inducted into the International Thespian Society. After the pandemic hit, Schwartz, 18, adjusted to the

ever-present digital world while based at her family home in Birmingham. She has been able to take remote classes at DePaul University in Chicago, and she also has found a way to connect with theater. Schwartz has accepted parttime assignments in marketing Disenchanted!, the next production of the professional, nonprofit, locally-based Nicely Theatre Group. She is doing TikTok postings to call attention to the musical revue that portrays fairy tale heroines reimagined with human flaws emphasized. “This is my first market-

tions. Instead, it was filmed at the Berman [Center for the Performing Arts at the Jewish Community Center]. Social distancing protocols were observed for both cast and crew.” The snippets can be viewed on the TikTok app with the theater company name as the username. The musical falls in line with what was first presented as an off-Broadway show written by Dennis Giacino. NICELY’S ROOTS Nicely was started last summer by David Carroll, of West Bloomfield, as he entered retirement after a career in the financial services industry. A longtime theater fan, he got the idea for a new company after winning a role in a production of Guys and Dolls, his favorite show, for the Village Players of Birmingham. Nicely-Nicely Johnson was his favorite character. “Maybe I’ll be like director Alfred Hitchcock, making brief appearances in productions,” joked Carroll, who personally financed the company’s first project, a selection of short plays Among the portrayed characters now introduced with star-

Roeper Summer Stock Theatre. He has performed in 50 productions. Eric W. Maher, Nicely technical director, worked on the TikTok presentations. “Working on the Nicely marketing has made isolation better,” said Schwartz, who has been active with Aish HaTorah. “Adjusting was so difficult at first. I had been going to live shows, and I miss that. Working with Nicely helps make up for those experiences.” Planning and participating in another digital platform also has helped Schwartz connect through this time of confinement. She and friend Ari Tiles created the podcast “yes. it’s us again.” “We explore what can be going on in teenagers’ minds,” Schwartz explained. “We want it to be very real and authentic. We’ve talked about bullying and mental health.” Keeping true to her marketing orientation, Schwartz alerts prospective viewers that tickets for Disenchanted! ($15) are available at nicelytheatre.org. The family-friendly production runs 65 minutes. Ticket holders can watch the presentation as many times as they wish during the two-week run. JANUARY 14 • 2021

ARTS&LIFE BOOKS

The

Nightworkers

Southfield native’s first novel gets rave reviews. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

P LAURA UTRATA

assages appearing from cover to cover in a new crime novel, The Nightworkers, reflect author Brian Selfon’s reactions to his actual employment involving light undercover work — first for Brooklyn prosecutors and later for Seattle public defenders. Selfon, aiming for a career as a novelist since pre-college years in Southfield, supported his goal with workaday jobs Brian Selfon that included deskwork as a chief investigative analyst. Not anticipating occasional assignments to monitor wiretaps or take on false identities for civil rights inquiries, he found his responses to those experiences triggered imaginings filling his first sold manuscript. The storyline, which introduces a makeshift family laundering money and connected to a murder victim lured into becoming a “nightworker,” has brought enviable reviews within two months of the book’s release by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. NPR described “a great novel.” The Seattle Times commented about a “stunning debut” and a “favorite for 2020.” The New York Post listed a “best new book to read.” Already writing a follow-up novel, not a sequel but with overlapping characters, Selfon is beginning to get — and enjoy — unanticipated digital speaking engagements filled with intriguing reader questions. “The connection between the story and my work in part has to do with feelings I got from listening to wiretaps or prison calls,” said Selfon, whose plot deviates from actual money laundering activities. “I got the sense that [those being investigated] are not just the thing they’re being investigated for. They’re whole persons with families and personalities. “Even though I don’t condone what they were being investigated for, very often I

JANUARY 14 • 2021

had sympathy for them. Some were funny or just interesting people, and I think that [impression] made its way into the book. That’s kind of why none of the main characters is sort of a cookie-cutter bad guy. “They have interests outside of what they’re being investigated for. People were predominantly calling family, and that was some of the tragedy. People would be bringing their families into the business and possibly putting them in danger or incriminating them.”

Giving the storyline credibility is the authentic sense of dialogue, which often exceeds narration. Selfon said conversational language came from simply “being awake in New York” and working in law enforcement. The author, 42, who went to Groves High School and had religious instruction at Congregation Shaarey Zedek supplemented by Camp Tamarack summers, attended the University of Michigan and graduated from Brown University in Providence, R.I., as a Russian language and literature major, a direction based on his admiration for works

by Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. “I got a job after college working for a book publishing company because I thought being close to the company might be a way to make a living while learning to write better,” said Selfon, who found that it did not bring all he had hoped. “I began looking for any sort of odd job that might help me pay my rent but also give me story ideas, and the one that I happened to get was working for the New York state attorney general’s office.” Selfon occasionally was required to be a courtroom witness, and that added to his thinking about investigations on behalf of defendants, another element in coming up with plot perspectives. “In a lot of cases, [defendants’ attorneys] were asking me questions, and I was wondering why they weren’t asking me about [something else],” Selfon explained. “It occurred to me that these defense attorneys didn’t have somebody [in a position like mine]. “That opened up the possibility that I might want to shift to working for a public defender. I realized that somebody who has been presumed innocent can be in jail for years before trial.” Employment on the defense side became available when Selfon and his wife decided to move to Seattle, where family lived, where she had job opportunities in computer work and where housing was more affordable. With relatives and friends still in Michigan, the family visited the state regularly before the pandemic. “My next book is going to be a mystery that’s about a family on an emotional journey beyond the whodunit,” said Selfon, still intent on introducing complete characters that reveal traits outside the criminal or enforcement spheres. “I write whenever I can squeeze in time.”

The Dybbuk

FILMS

Exploring Yiddish Film History

KINO LORBER

ews may have been common fixtures of the Golden Age of Hollywood, with studio heads like Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg calling the shots. But it’s rare they got to make films about what it actually meant to be Jewish. Meanwhile, during the same time frame, Yiddish theater was a strong and lively tradition. But there was a brief moment when these interests could overlap. Arthouse film distributor Kino Lorber’s new Blu-Ray collection, The Jewish Soul: Ten Classics of Yiddish Cinema, gives a snapshot of a narrow window of history from the 1930s to 1950, when Yiddish films could actually get made — not that it was easy. Many of the around 100 Yiddish-language films produced during that period, largely out of New York and Eastern Europe, are now lost. And the Yiddish film movement largely died along with the widespread assault on Jewry that marked this dark time period in history.

Children Must Laugh

Though decentralized across both geography and time, there’s much that binds the range of works contained here. The headliner of The Jewish Soul is, no doubt, The Dybbuk, Michal Waszynski’s mournful, expressionistic 1937 film, in which a folkloric, vengeful spirit wreaks havoc on the life of the woman its forebear had planned to marry. In most horror movies, the fears are faced by a lone protagonist; by contrast, the horrors in The Dybbuk are felt by an entire community already riven by historical tragedy and facing new divides with changing times. Family problems are also shtetl problems, and matters of the spirit are broadly understood. With performances sliding as called for between the eerie and the lifelike, surreal touches in lighting and design, and an attentive eye for what feels to this viewer like an accurate showcase of its community’s life, Waszynski’s film is a slow burn that’s worth the wait, one of few from the period that managed to appeal internationally to non-Jewish audiences. Aleksander Ford’s quasi-documentary Children Must Laugh (released in 1936) takes us from a Jewish ghetto outside Warsaw to a nearby coed sanitorium filled with consumptive schoolkids — though you wouldn’t know their condition by looking. The film finds them

GEORGE ELKIND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

staging plays, getting into scuffles, beekeeping and learning to farm. They sing as merrily as they do constantly (“All the fish there sing” is just one lyric), eagerly eyeing a future many of them will never see. Accompanying notes tell us that the Nazis sent many of the children featured in the film to Treblinka. Some who survived would participate in the Warsaw uprisings.

KINO LORBER

A new boxed set unearths 10 classics from a forgotten era of filmmaking.

tional ways and new temptations that might create distance from loved ones and familiar life, have thematic resonance across all of these Yiddish works. Fiddler on the Roof fans will find much of interest in 1939’s Tevya, director Maurice Schwartz’s early effort to adapt the Sholem Aleichem collection that serves as shared source material. Schwartz, a big fixture of Yiddish theater, also stars as

“THESE FILMS SHOWCASE A BROADER RANGE OF WORKS MADE BY AND ABOUT THE AMERICAN JEWISH DIASPORA.” — GEORGE ELKIND MUSICAL FOCUS Throughout the 10 films in the boxed set, there continues to be a musical emphasis, often in the face of turmoil. This has the effect of deeply linking these movies to traditions of Yiddish theater. This is especially true in Max Nosseck’s Overture to Glory (1940), which follows a cantor lured from his local synagogue to the Warsaw opera, outraging his father-in-law and many local peers in spite of his wife’s unflagging support. The tensions in the film, between rural and urban, and between tradi-

the milkman, playing the iconic role with considerable gravity. As in Fiddler, the film tracks changing ways in a small Jewish community and the crossing of cultural boundaries once thought forbidden. In place of Fiddler’s bouncy, scat-like tunes is a considered and steadily maintained air of some solemnity, wry wit leavening its inquiries into religious, traditional and communal life in ways that sometimes recall Bergman. (Also of note: Schwartz changes the ending, envisioning a different path for daughter Chava.) continued on page 36 JANUARY 14 • 2021

CELEBRITY JEWS

NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

TANYA ROBERTS R.I.P.; BYE 2020; MORE SHELDON As I write this (Jan. 5), actress Tanya Roberts has just died. On Jan. 3, there were erroneous reports she had just died. Her boyfriend, Lance O’Brien, thought a hospital representative said she was dead, when really the rep was telling him her condition was grave. O’Brien told Roberts’ publicist that she died, and the publicist told the media. On Jan. 4, O’Brien was talking to Inside Edition when the hospital called him and told him Roberts was alive. He burst into tears on camera. But she died later that evening. Roberts had some good roles: she was an “angel” in the last season (1981) of Charlie’s Angels: she

co-starred in the cult fantasy classic The Beastmaster (1982) opposite actor Marc Singer, now 72; she was the “Bond Girl” in A View to a Kill (1985); and she was a cast member of That ’70s Show. She played the mother of lead character Donna (Laura Prepon, 40) from 1998-2001. Years later, she revealed she left the series because her husband, writer Barry Roberts, was terminally ill with encephalitis. Barry, like Tanya, was from the Bronx. A source who knew Barry in high school told me he was Jewish. Barry and Tanya wed in 1974. She nursed him for five years until he died in 2006. Tanya’s death led to some record-checking by me. For decades, her bios repeated the same thing — that she was born in 1955, the daughter of a Jewish mother and Irish father. Turns out that Tanya, born Victoria Blum, was born in 1949. Her

Tanya Roberts

IMDB

ARTS&LIFE

father, Oscar Blum, was Jewish. Her mother, Dorothy Smith, was English, and it’s unclear if she was Jewish. I don’t fault Roberts for shaving six years off her age in youth-obsessed Hollywood. The Amazon Prime special Yearly Departed, which began streaming Dec. 30, is worth your time. It features seven female comedians speaking at a mock funeral for 2020, a truly bad year. The show’s creator, Bess Kalb, 33, says it was inspired by a remark by the late

Christopher Hitchens, who said: Women aren’t funny. Not every joke in the show is hilarious, but they hit more than they miss. Starring are Sarah Silverman, 50, Natasha Leggero, 47, and Tiffany Haddish, 41, plus honorary tribe member Rachel Brosnahan (Mrs. Maisel). The fourth season of CBS’ comedy Young Sheldon, a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory, resumes Jan. 13 (8 p.m.). The episode finds Sheldon, now 11, starting college. Wallace Shawn, 77, who has a recurring role as Dr. Sturgis, Sheldon’s mentor, has a prominent role in this episode. The season’s premiere revealed that the adult Sheldon Cooper named his son Leonard, in honor of his friend, Dr. Leonard Hofstader. Sheldon wanted to also honor his favorite actor and name his son Leonard Nimoy Cooper. But this was vetoed by his wife, Amy (Mayim Bialik, 45).

Plying similar terrain is Harry Tomashevsky’s The Yiddish King Lear (1935), in which a possessive patriarch’s insistent steering of his daughters’ lives (he says early on that women should be “ornaments”) sheds light on some troubling flipsides to strict insistence on tradition. The film, based on the play of the same name, is heavy on melodrama, as are several similar entries in the set all set in the U.S.: Eli Eli, Motel the Operator, Her Second Mother and Three Daughters (the last one, made in 1950, effectively marked the end of the Yiddish film production era in the U.S.). But even in their modest aspirations, these films showcase a broader range of works made by and about the American Jewish diaspora. Particularly strong in this is 1940’s American Matchmaker, a tender and sly musical comedy by Edgar G. Ulmer (his

JANUARY 14 • 2021

fourth Yiddish film, made five years prior to his best-known work, the vicious noir Detour). Nat Silver, a serial New York bachelor reeling from an eighth broken engagement, turns to matchmaking as a profession so he can better understand just what makes a marriage. He inevitably falls for a client as those around him work to steer him toward success. This feathery premise, along with splendid casting and its considered direction, grant Matchmaker a surprising ability to disarm. Casually showcasing generations of diasporic Jewish experience and varying approaches to immigrant life — evidenced by meek Nat’s coddling, more traditional-minded mother and his worldly, barbtongued sister — it’s the small details in casting, writing and performance that allow the film to accumulate unexpected

KINO LORBER

YIDDISH FILMS continued from page 35

American Matchmaker

power. These Yiddish films, like the language they embrace, are filled with the spirit of perseverance — artistic expressions of a people who narrowly escaped being entirely snuffed out. Taken together, their cohesion across wide gulfs makes a startlingly

concrete case for the potency of shared society, identity and culture, capturing at the same time the essence of much preserved and lost. ‘The Jewish Soul: Ten Classics of Yiddish Cinema’ (with English and Hebrew subtitles) is available for purchase online at kinolorber.com.

ON THE GO

PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

SPEAKER SERIES 8-9 PM, JAN. 14 Join Rabbi Jen Kaluzny and a free lineup of speakers. Visit: temple-israel.org/ event/speakers2021. MUSIC RETROSPECTIVE 5 PM, JAN. 15 The Ark in Ann Arbor will present this livestream series: 18 shows reflecting 20 years of the music of Rufus Wainwright. Tickets: $20 ($25 day of show); biot. ly/RW_TheArk. SERVE THE MOMENT JAN. 15-18 MLK Day, a national day of service, is an invitation to commit ourselves to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership for racial justice. We draw upon the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to drive us to #ServeTheMoment and address racial injustice amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, through volunteering and learning in our communities. Repair the World and the Jewish Service Alliance implore you to explore ways to learn, serve and mobilize others in your community. Volunteer in person or #VolunteerVirtually. Check the website for Repair the World. WHISKEY TASTING CLUB 8 PM, JAN. 19 NEXTGen Detroit will host the first meet up of this group at no charge. For adults 21-45 to talk things barrel-aged and try something new. Info: Ken@Schneider@jfmd.org. Register by Jan. 16.

VEGAN SHABBAT COOKING CLASS 7 PM, JAN. 20, 2021 Join Rebecca Starr, Congregation Shaarey Zedek rebbetzin, as she helps celebrate Shabbat by preparing a delicious and healthy Friday night menu. Check cszinfo@ shaareyzedek.org to receive the ingredient list, as well as the link to participate online. (#CSZHealthyCooking).

NOW ACCEPTING CONSIGNME for our next au NTS ction:

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WOMEN IN FILM 7 PM, JAN. 21 SUMMER STORE HOURS SUMMER STORE HOURS Adat Shalom Synagogue TUES–SAT Noon–5pm | MON closed TUES–SAT Noon–5pm | MON closed Sisterhood invites you to SUN and by appointment only SUN and evenings by evenings appointment only join guest speaker Mara 3325 Lake Rd, Keego 3325 Orchard LakeOrchard Rd, Keego Harbor, MI Harbor, MI Reinstein, film critic for 248-481-8884 248-481-8884 US Weekly and Sirius XM WWW.LESHOPPETOO.COM WWW.LESHOPPETOO.COM Volume, as she presents th th CENTURY ICONIC 20th FURNITURE, ICONIC 20 CENTURY FURNITURE, ICONIC 20 CENTURY FURNITURE, “Reel” Women in Film: From FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING FINEART, LIGHTING Fanny Brice to Wonder Let our experienced team Let our experienced team Woman. Info: adatshalom. HOURS HOURS at Le Shoppe Too & at Le Shoppe Too & org/sisterhoodevent. A Support LocalSupport Local Changing Hands TUES–SAT Noon–5 pm | MON closed Changing Hands TUES–SAT Noon–5 pm | MON closed Zoom link will be provid- Businesses Businesses handle your your Estate Sale SUN & byEstate appointment SUNhandle & evenings byevenings appointment only Sale only ed following registration. needs. needs. Your itemsYour can items can O RC DA , K LA K EH AR RDD, KLEAEKGEOR H R EB EOGRO , MHIA R B O R , M I Questions: mjablin@yahoo.3 3 2 5 O R C H3A3 R2 5D be and consigned valued be andvalued consigned com or call 248-851-5100. or auctioned at our or auctioned at our store. We store. offer We offer

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

the exchange community bulletin board | professional services

For information regarding advertising please call 248-351-5116 or 248-234-9057 or email salessupport@renmedia.us

Heating, Air Conditioning Service and New Installations

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SOUL

OF BLESSED MEMORY

DOROTHY KAUFMAN BRAIKER, 88, of Farmington Hills, died Jan. 5, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Terry Marlene Braiker; many other loving family members and friends. Mrs. Braiker was the beloved wife of the late Raymond Joseph Braiker; mother of the late Mark Howard Braiker; sister of the late Jack and the late Cecilia Kaufman. Interment was held at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. THEODORE “TED” BROD, 82, of Oak Park, died Dec. 14, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Annette Brod; daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Don Swain; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Rhonda Brod; stepchildren, Michelle and Kevin Raisch, Brian Soloway, Pamela Soloway Strohs, Olive and Elizabeth Soloway; grandchildren, Alexander Swain, Vanessa Swain, Isabelle Swaine, Jaclyn and Ian Dunlap, Ryan and Brittany Brod, Gabrielle Brod and Brian Lindeman, Jessica Raisch, Zachary Raisch and his fiancee, Casey, and Michael Raisch; great-grandchild, Aria Lindeman; brother-in-law, Jack Jacobs; nephews and niece, Matthew and Mellisa Jacobs and Ryan Jacobs. Mr. Brod was the cherished father of the late Matthew Brod; the loving brother of the late Miles Brod; the devoted son of the late Lillian and the late Ralph Brod. Interment was at Adat

Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s AssociationGreater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, alz. org/gmc. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ELAINE HECHTMAN CONWAY, 85, of Bloomfield Hills, died Jan. 6, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Milton Conway; daughter and son-in-law, Elisa and Dr. Stuart Stoller; son and daughter-inlaw, Andrew and Dr. Barbara Conway; grandchildren, Taryn and Michael Cannarsa, Ryan and Jennifer Stoller, Dr. Matthew and Dr. Rayn Conway, and Dr. Alexander Conway; great-grandchildren, Sloane Cannarsa, Enzo Cannarsa, Harrison Stoller, Evie Stoller and Charlie Stoller; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sally and Graham Orley, and Rhoda and Harvey Goldvarg. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hospice Of Michigan-Oakland County, 43097 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, hom.org/donations; or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), P.O. Box 96929, Washington, D.C., 20090-6929, aspca.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. MARK BRIAN EICHNER, 79, of Commerce Township, died Jan. 3, 2021. He is the definition of the word mensch. He

truly is the Lamed Vovnik of his generation; kind, sensitive, brilliant, funny, loving and caring. Mark changed so many lives as a teacher and guidance counselor. He was first a teacher and quickly became a counselor at Berkley High School. He led Junior Congregation at B’nai Moshe for more than 35 years and at Shaarey Zedek for many years. He taught drivers education part time and in the summer at Berkley, Novi and Ferndale, where he was also the administrator for adult education. Mr. Eichner is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Margaret Silverman Eichner; son and daughter-in-law, Adam Eichner and Rachel Portnoy of Ann Arbor; daughter and sonin-law, Michele and Eli Saulson of Franklin; grandchildren, Kobi and Jonah Eichner, Laela, Isaac, Sophia and Fara Saulson; sisters-in-law and brother-inlaw, Donna and Jim Brennan, and Susan Leiter; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins; dear friends, the Chevra, the Schwartzes, the Rockinds; very special caregivers of many years, Brittany Drzinski and Sean Prescott. He was the son of the late Esther and the late Joseph Eichner; brother of the late Phillip Eichner; son-in-law of the late Fara and the late Manny Silverman. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice. org; Alzheimer’s AssociationGreater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, alz. org/gmc; ASPCA (the American Society for the Prevention

of Cruelty to Animals), P.O. Box 96929, Washington, D.C., 20090-6929, aspca.org; Hospice of Michigan, 43097 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, hom.org/donations; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. LEE ETELMAN, 91, of Farmington Hills, died Dec. 26, 2020. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Rae and Scott Monchnik, Diane and Paul Rexford, Laurie and Albert Forte; grandchildren, Jared and Maddie Monchnik, Jason Rexford (fiancée, Jenna Baker), Jamie Forte (fiancé, David Hammond; many other loving family members and friends. Mr. Etelman was the beloved husband of the late Harriet Etelman; the brother of the late Irma Wald. Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. JERROLD WARREN GREENE, 66, passed away Dec. 26, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. He enjoyed working on cars and was devoted to his cats. Mr. Greene is survived by his sister, Anita; and his nieces, Marissa and Mayci. He was the son of the late Morris and the late Etta Greene. Contributions may be made to the PCAS Animal Shelter, 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774. They were very helpful taking care of Jerry’s beloved cats and this would be the best way to honor him. continued on page 40 JANUARY 14 • 2021

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OF BLESSED MEMORY

continued from page 39

She Lived Life with Passion

lsie Schwartz Yellin, 101½, passed away on Dec. 30, 2020. She was born in 1919 in Vienna, Austria, and came to the United States (Mt. Clemens) in 1929. She lived there with her parents, Mina and Rev. Samuel Schwartz; brothers, Max, Michael and Jack; and sister, Clara (Green). Growing up, she was active in sports, including basketball, swimming, tennis and baseball. After graduating from Mt. Clemens High School, she attended Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (later the University of North Carolina) and graduated from Michigan State Normal College (later Eastern Michigan University) in Ypsilanti, where she met her husband, George. Together they built a beautiful family of three daughters, Ruchel (Broadman), Cindy (Aronsohn) and Margo (Woll). She was the first Jewish teacher in Mt. Clemens, president of sisterhood and Mt. Clemens ORT. Moving from Mt. Clemens to Southfield in 1968, she taught elementary age children at Akiva Hebrew Day School, where she influenced many, many children, conveying her love for America and pride of being Jewish. In Southfield, she joined many educational and

JANUARY 14 • 2021

Elsie Schwartz Yellin

musical groups, including Rabbi Wine’s study group, Monday Musical Society and the Great Books Club. She enjoyed golf, bowling, tennis, bridge, mah jong and Pan. She painted with oil and acrylics, learned yoga in her 60s, and was very well read in both the classics and contemporary literature. Always current in politics, sports and world news, she was not shy in voicing her opinion. She was an avid listener of classical music (Karl Haas, WJR) and opera (Texaco Opera Broadcast/Toll Brothers) on the radio. She was passionate about attending musical concerts and productions, including Interlochen, Meadowbrook, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Stratford. When entering her home, you would hear music blaring, the TV would be on mute, and the stock market ticker tape would be scrolling across the screen. Mrs. Yellin traveled extensively in her 80s and 90s and kayaked and snorkeled during those

trips, always learning and trying something new. She moved to Jacksonville, Fla., in 1993 and lived with her husband, who died in 2002, son-in-law, Dr. Stephen Broadman, who died in 2013, and daughter Ruchel, who later took care of her as she grew older. Elsie passed away peacefully in Ruchel’s home. Her legacy to her family was her tremendous love of music, art, books, being American and being Jewish. Mrs. Yellin leaves her daughters, Ruchel Broadman, Cynthia (Dr. Richard) Aronsohn, Dr. Margo (Dr. Douglas) Woll; grandchildren, Dr. Melissa Broadman, Dr. Jennifer Broadman (Dr. Jay), Suzanne Bershad, Dr. Michael Aronsohn (Andrea), Dr. Andrew Aronsohn (Dr. Renee), Samantha Woll, Dr. Monica Rosen (Dr. Ben); greatgrandchildren, Nathan, Max, Miriam Kugler, Matthew, Mia, Lucy, Danny, Nora Aronsohn, Georgette and Joshua Bershad, Solly, Gavi and Mira Rosen; many loving nieces and nephews. May her memory be a blessing. Interment was at Beth Tephilah Moses Cemetery in Mt. Clemens. Contributions may be made to Beth Tephilah Moses Synagogue, American Friends of Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

LORELEE HANDELMAN, 82, of Alma, died Dec. 22, 2020. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robin Handelman and Kathline Fritz; daughter and son-in-law, Rayna Handelman and Mark Freifeld; sister and brother-in-law, Terri and Melvin Sharf; many other family members and friends. Mrs. Handelman was the beloved wife of the late Sy Handelman; daughter of the late Mitzi and the late Philip Field. Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to Paw Patrol Campaign at the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. CHERYL JACOBS, 72, of Birmingham, died Dec. 28, 2020. She is survived by her brothers and sister-in-law, Paul Jacobs of Franklin, Lanny and Susan Jacobs of West Bloomfield; many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Cheryl was the loving sister and sister-in-law of the late Earl and the late Donna Jacobs, and the late Gail Jacobs. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. A family graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. LAURA KIENSCHERF, 89, of Southfield, died Jan. 3, 2021. She loved her family and all animals, including multiple stray

cats taken in over the years. Her interests included bowling, coloring, dancing, listening to music, and shopping. Laura and husband, Gary, shared a sense of humor and enjoyed watching Seinfeld and going to Tigers games together. Laura graduated from Central High School in Detroit and worked at the Downtown Hudson store. She will be greatly missed. Mrs. Kienscherf is survived by her son and daughter-inlaw, Daryn Kienscherf and Susan Davis-Kienscherf; nephew and niece, Paul Eisenberg and Barbara Miller; great-nephew, Jason Miller. She was the beloved wife of the late Gary Kienscherf; cherished mother of the late Suzie Kienscherf; devoted daughter of the late David and the late Minnie Eisenberg; loving sister of the late Hal Eisenberg and the late Shel Ellison. Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Mid-Michigan Cat Rescue Inc, 1117 Tulip St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837, mid-michigancatrescue.com; Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, alz.org/gmc; or Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care Program, 6720 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jslmi.org/donate. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. MARCIA KLAIN, 97, of Farmington Hills, died Jan. 2, 2021. Family members and friends

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4 Shevat Jan. 17, 2021 Henry Faigin Manny Feder Frieda Kabeck Lee Lyons Esther Pechensky Rose Pollack Brana Simis Max Sitrin

Sam Cohen Nathan Potach Abraham Shayne Mike Snider Hortense Tobin Esther Wetstein 7 Shevat Jan. 20, 2021 Helen Broad Rose Friedman Irving Gilbert Rebecca Kasoff David Ordin Abraham Schloss Morris Schwartz Yisroel Yampolsky

5 Shevat Jan. 18, 2021 Perry Feigenson Martin Keith Irwey Shimon Kohn Max Milgrom Rudolph J Newman Sol Newman 8 Shevat Jan. 21, 2021 Robert William Rosenbaum Louis Blotnick Maier Chaim Soloveichik Samuel Cobitz 6 Shevat Jan. 19, 2021 Harry Averbach Anne Barcless Bernard Bocolor

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Sam Leider Sadie Mills Samuel M. Reichstein Alyce Rood Robert Rosenberg Milford Tachna 9 Shevat Jan. 22, 2021 Clarence Camenker Celia Fine George Hyams Sonia Weisfeld 10 Shevat Jan. 23, 2021 Sarah Berent Celia Borlack Norman Cottler Arthur Gamburd Jack Geller Eleanor Ralph Louis Sherman Charles Tukel Rebecca Zussman

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OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 41

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SOUL

knew her for her zest for life, wonderful smile and unforgettable giggles and being a friend to all. Mrs. Klain is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Elliot and Elaine Klain of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia Klain of Farmington Hills, Eileen and Richard Polk of Huntington Woods, Alice and Richard Silbergleit of Birmingham; grandchildren, Daniel Klain and Meryn Gerdes, Samuel Polk and Kate Becker, Brian and Cadi Polk, Laura and Joshua Bobrow, Matthew Silbergleit; great-grandchildren, Evie Polk, Josie Polk, Hanna Polk, Jack Polk, Sophia Bobrow, Mackenzie Ward; many other loving friends and family. She was the beloved wife of the late James J. Klain; dear sister and sister-in-law of the late Fay and the late Morris Woll, the late Sandra and the late David Goose, the late Belle and the late David Bernstein, the late Lilllian and the late Irving Litvin, the late Sue and the late Max Lerner. Contributions may be made to JVS Human Services, 29699 Southfield Road, Southfield, MI. 48076; Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48033; or to a charity of one’s choice. A family graveside was held at Workmen’s Circle, Beth Isaac section. Rabbi Aaron Starr and Hazzan David Propis officiated. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. JACK MASSER, 84, of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 4, 2021. He is survived

by his beloved wife, Patti Masser; son, Doug Masser; daughter and son-in-law, Hillary and Steven Smith; grandchildren, Logan Cooper Smith and Riley Louis Smith; many other loving family members and friends. Mr. Masser was the devoted son of the late Mary and the late Harry Masser; son-in-law of the late Sylvia and the late Louis Sobel. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. SOL MORETSKY, 85, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Dec. 29, 2020. Sol was born in Detroit and spent his career in commercial real estate and building in Detroit and Phoenix. He was a passionate volunteer leader in the Jewish community in Phoenix, including his years of service on the boards of directors of Kivel Campus of Care, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and as president of the board of directors of Congregation Beth Israel. Also dedicated to the issues and needs of aging seniors, Sol was appointed to and proudly served on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging for the State of Arizona. Mr. Moretsky is survived by his wife, Rita Moretsky; daughter, Lesa Moretsky-Jordan; and son-in-law, James Jordan of Farmington Hills; son, Scott Moretsky of Tempe, Ariz.; grandchildren, Elayna Jordan,

Jacob Jordan and Michael Moretsky; brothers and sistersin-law, Dr. Robert and Barbara Moretsky of Bloomfield, Dr. Sanford and Barbara Moretsky of Scottsdale, Ariz.; stepson, Dr. Steven Eisenfeld; stepdaughter, Jamie Eisenfeld Jennings; stepgrandchildren, Brynn and Quinn. He was the beloved eldest son of the late Ben and the late Elizabeth Moretsky. Interment was on Jan. 3, 2021, in Phoenix. SHIRLEY ROSENZWEIG, 95, of Ann Arbor, died Jan. 2, 2021. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Paul Girard; grandchildren, Rachel Francisco and Timo Anderson, and Adam and Elka Francisco;

great-grandchildren, Santeri and Soren Anderson, and Sophia and Michael Francisco. Mrs. Rosenzweig was the beloved wife of the late Philip Rosenzweig. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. DONALD RUBIN, 71, of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 2, 2021. Don worked as a designer at Key Plastics LLC and was a member of Congregation B’nai Moshe. He was the beloved husband for more than 30 years of Ellen Kotler; much loved father of Joshua (Sarah) and Penina; grandfather of Elijah. He is also

survived by his brothers, Rick and Andy (Anette) Rubin; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A memorial service was held Jan. 5, 2021, at Adat Shalom Memorial Park; Rabbi Shalom Kanter officiated. It is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of Donald Rubin may do so by making a contribution to Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, 248-548-3663, yadezra.org. Arrangements by Kaufman Chapel. EVA SIMONS, 89, formerly of West Bloomfield of Tamarac, Fla., died Jan. 1, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Helen Sarasky; son, Jeff (Candace) Simons;

grandchildren Jennifer (Chad) Sarasky, Iris (Angel) Velazquez, Gene (Nicole) Sarasky, Jason (Tony) Sarasky, Eric (Mary) Simons, Dana Simons, Zachary (Hannah) Simons, Blake Simons; five great-grandchildren; sister, Vicky (the late David) Buckfire; sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosalie and Allan Benjamin, Mira and Allen Simons. Mrs. Simons was the beloved wife of the late Irving Simons; the loving mother of the late Steven (Susie) Simons. Contributions may be made to VITASCommunityConnection. org or a charity of your choice. MARCIA JOYCE WEINER, 73, of Pontiac, died Jan. 1, 2021. She is survived by her sons, Joshua continued on page 44

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OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 43

Weiner and Jason Weiner; sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and David Zack. Mrs. Weiner was the devoted daughter of the late Jack and the late Ann Freed; the loving sister of the late Sonny Freed. Contributions may be made to Kadima, 15999 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076, kadimacenter.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. LILLY WEISS, 90, of Oak Park, died Jan. 5, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Michael Weiss. She is also survived by a world of family and friends.

JANUARY 14 â&#x20AC;˘ 2021

Contributions may be made to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, P.O. Box 2044, Southfield, MI 48037; or Holocaust Memorial Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. A family graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

Marisa, Brendan, Bailey and Chase; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Interment took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to a charity of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

MORTON ZUMBERG, 84, of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 6, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Zumberg; daughter and son-in-law, Marcie and John Edwards; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Dawn Zumberg; grandchildren, Cami,

Correction The obituary for Dr. Stan Levy (Dec. 31) incorrectly listed the charity for contributions. It should have been Single Soul Suicide prevention program, a program of Jewish Family Service, 6555 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, 248-592-2327, jfsdetroit, org.

OBITUARY CHARGES The processing fee for obituaries is: $125 for up to 100 words; $1 per word thereafter. A photo counts as 15 words. There is no charge for a Holocaust survivor icon. The JN reserves the right to edit wording to conform to its style considerations. For information, have your funeral director call the JN or you may call Sy Manello, editorial assistant, at (248) 351-5147 or email him at smanello@ renmedia.us.

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neighborhood dining legend is recalled by many who remember favorite visits they had to Larco’s Inn on West McNichols (6 Mile) just west of Livernois, Detroit. Owned and operated by three brothers, Pete, Nick and Mike Larco, it opened in the 1960s and is still talked about … Pete and Mike used to work as waiters at another Italian restaurant, and Mike was a tool and die maker … Pete headed the kitchen, Nick did the Danny Raskin butchering in its basement Senior Columnist area, and Mike was boss of the bar … The three made a fine combination that received many accolades. Numerous celebrities from the world of sports and theater as well as local personalities were regular patrons. Biggest seller at Larco’s Inn was the steak filet with a super special steak sauce for which folks drove miles … Both pickerel and whitefish were also prepared with much regularity. The food at Larco’s was almost always accompanied by its own hearty minestrone soup, a huge full-bodied favorite … made without cream and chock full of vegetables … And, those who had it

would thoroughly enjoy the luscious Larco’s antipasto of tri-colored peppers, olives cured by them, imported salami, imported cheese and a large shrimp cocktail. A wonderful, simple but huge menu was a Larco’s standard … with veal dishes they loved … Colombo, Filetto, Marsala, Parmigiana, Siciliano and Tosca … For those who couldn’t make up their minds, Larco’s had one with a combination of Colombo, Picatta, Marsala and Siciliano. If it was steak you wanted, I think Larco’s had a menu with about eight or nine selections … served with a favorite sauce made by them. I remember people talking about the dinner they were going to have at Larco’s … and of its Shrimp Larco appetizer that Pete used to make, lightly breaded

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and sautéed with a garlic-lemon Chablis sauce … And of the focaccia bread made at Larco’s with dried tomatoes and herbs … It even grew its own basil … And if the dishwasher didn’t show up, one of the three gents would take over that chore. The name Larco’s is a time-honored one to be sure … Many have tried to follow its very fine reputation … So well deserved. OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Dog owner wrote to a small hotel on his vacation … “I would like to bring my dog. He is wellgroomed and well-behaved. May I bring him to keep in our room at night?” An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, “Sir, I’ve been operating this hotel for many years. I have never had a dog steal towels, silverware or pictures off the wall or use them as a coloring book. I’ve never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I have never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, your dog is welcome. And if your dog will vouch for you, you are welcome to stay here, too.” CONGRATS … To Heidi Martin on her birthday … To Ed and Suzie Radner on their anniversary. Danny’s email address is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

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JANUARY 14 • 2021

Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

Poking Holes in the Glass Ceiling

he history of the Jews in Detroit and Michigan over the past century is a story of communal growth and progress. The community has grown in numbers and organzational strength, as well as political and business power. As my friend and Detroit Jewish News Foundation founder Arthur Horwitz always says, using a boxing metaphor, the Detroit Jewish community “punches above its weight” when it Mike Smith comes to its place in American Alene and Graham Landau Jewish affairs. Archivist Chair However, not all in the community have advanced at the same pace. I was reminded of this fact when I found an excellent feature article by Jill Davidson Sklar in the Feb. 18, 2000, issue of the JN. Titled “The Leadership Dance,” its contemporary focus is, “Nationally and locally, women are beginning to break through to top Jewish communal positions.” While reading the historic pages of the JN and Detroit Jewish Chronicle and in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History, one can see the stark differences in the roles of women and men in the public sphere. In the early years of the Chronicle, articles and columns devoted to women usually focused on “society” events, betrothments and marriages, with a few reports of women involved in communal organizations. As the decades rolled by, however, the pages provide evidence that women were increasingly involved in communal organizations, as well as in politics and business. The Sklar article reports that, in 2000, the numbers of women in leadership positions were still well below the levels of male participation. A 1997 study by Ma’yan, a Jewish women’s project from New York City, noted that 50% of Jews in America were women, but in communal organizations,

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women held only 25% of board membership. Only 12% of these groups had a woman in the top position. The article cites the Golden Rule as one reason: “He who holds the gold, rules.” In short, men were still considered to be the primary contributors to good causes rather than couples or individual women who had made their own mark in the business world. Give credit to Jewish Detroit in 2000. It was an exception. The involvement of women in communal organizations was at a higher rate than the national average: 25% participation on boards (40% on JCC Board that year), and there were more women in leadership positions. The article also provides good history on some pathfinders. In 2000, Penny Blumenstein was serving as the first female president of the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit, and women constituted 29% of its board membership. This was progress, but not enough. Blumenstein spelled out what was needed, and still desired today: “I don’t want them [women] to be segregated. I want them to be integrated.” In short, no token female officials, but full parity with men. Since that time, two other women have been Federation president: Nancy Grosfeld and Beverly Liss. And, Dorothy Benyas has been its longtime chief financial officer. However, the last (and only) woman to be the executive director of Federation was Blanche Hart, 1903-1923. There has been significant progress for women in communal organizations since Sklar’s article from 2000. I’ve only cited a very few examples from one organization among the many where women now serve in leadership roles. The glass ceiling has huge cracks. Maybe it will soon shatter. Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

Jessica J Kakos, DDS West Bloomﬁeld

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