Former West Bloomfielder ensures those in

Jews in the D

LISA SCHAVRIEN

Together with nursing colleague Erin Smith, Lisa Schavrien (left) promotes the importance of voting.

This Nurse Delivers … In More Ways Than One

Former West Bloomfi elder ensures those in the hospital can still vote.

JUDY GREENWALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It takes a special person one whose career path has to be an obstetric nurse. brought both challenges and The profession demands rewards. dedication, compassion — in Lisa Schavrien, RN, BSN, short, someone whose caring 46, of Manhattan is just such commitment literally brings a person. The former West new life into the world. Bloomfielder, who attended

If that someone is also an Temple Israel and graduated advocate for social action from University of Detroit’s by helping hospital patients McCauley School of Nursing, exercise their right to vote, today works at Lenox Hill then she represents someHospital, where she’s served as an OB nurse, advanced to assistant nurse manager of labor and delivery and, in 2014, created the obstetric nurse navigation program, which streamlines and personalizes patients’ needs.

It is Schavrien’s continuing commitment to helping patients that led her to realize the importance of being able to participate in an activity that defines the American democratic system — voting.

“In 2016, a patient was admitted after her water broke prematurely,” she said. “She felt very strongly about voting, and since I’m about ‘finding the yes,’ I was committed to finding a way to obtain her absentee ballot. While working to accomplish this, I was shocked to learn there’s no process in most states for a person to vote who’s unable to get to a polling station due to unexpected circumstances.

“My colleague Erin Smith suggested we formalize what I did for that patient and institute a hospital initiative for the 2018 midterm election. Despite the barriers we had to overcome, we finally got the Albany board of elections to grant us the ability to make obtaining absentee ballots possible.”

Schavrien personally saw how important voting was to patients, which was the impetus for her action to assist the sometimes-forgotten population of those unexpectedly hospitalized who still want to vote. A patient was in the hospital on Election Day, Nov. 6, and wanted to vote, but didn’t think it would be possible.

“He told me he had voted in every election since Carter, and he wasn’t about to stop,” she said.

The following excerpts are from a letter of commendation he wrote:

“I found out it was too late to get an absentee ballot … the deadline was the day before and I was having a surgical procedure that day. I thought I would miss the opportunity to vote until I met Nurse Lisa Schavrien. She offered to drive to Queens, to the Board of Elections to get the form … to obtain an absentee ballot.

“I was so grateful for her willingness to do this. I signed the form and she drove back to Queens and went before a judge to lobby on my behalf in order for me to vote. The judge granted me an absentee ballot. She drove back to the hospital, and I filled out the form and she drove back to Queens and dropped off the ballot.

“I was able to vote, something I very much wanted to do.”

What started with Schavrien and Smith has grown into a team of hospital volunteers and friends who are passionate about voting advocacy.

“Our campaign has been well received, and we won the president’s award from Northwell Health for our region. We’re now working

continued on page 28

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Protesters at Ann Arbor Synagogue

MAYA GOLDMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ajudge has dismissed the lawsuit against anti-Israel protesters who stand outside Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor each week.

The decision, made by U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts on Aug. 19, says the plaintiffs did not prove they suffered concrete injury as a result of the protests.

“Plaintiffs fail to allege a concrete injury, and thus fail to allege an injury in fact,” the decision reads.

Ann Arbor resident Henry Herskovitz, who formerly identified as Jewish, began picketing outside of the synagogue more than 16 years ago. The protests continue to this day, with a small group of people protesting outside Beth Israel every Saturday morning, holding signs with messages like “Jewish Power Corrupts.”

In December 2019, a lawsuit was filed by Marvin Gerber, a Beth Israel member. Dr. Miriam Brysk, a Holocaust survivor and member of Pardes Hannah Congregation, located in an annex next to Beth Israel, joined the suit as a co-plaintiff.

The suit argued that the protesters violated the First Amendment by hampering congregants’ right to practice their religion. It also listed several Ann Arbor city officials, including Mayor Christopher Taylor, contending that the protests violate city code but that officials have neglected to enforce their rules.

Herskovitz and his fellow protesters later filed a motion to dismiss the case, which the judge has now agreed to grant.

“Indeed, the First Amendment more than protects the expressions by Defendants of what Plaintiffs describe as ‘anti-Israeli, anti-Zionist, and antisemitic.’ Peaceful protest speech such as this — on sidewalks and streets — is entitled to the highest level of constitutional protection, even if it disturbs, is offensive and causes emotional distress,” the judge’s motion to grant dismissal reads.

The plaintiffs’ lawyers will file a motion for reconsideration as early as next week, according to Ziporah Reich, director of litigation at the Lawfare Project and co-counsel to the plaintiffs.

If the motion for reconsideration is denied, the plaintiff’s counsel will file an appeal with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Yesterday’s ruling was a minor setback,” said Marc Susselman, the plaintiff’s lead counsel. “The court did not rule on the merits of the case or address any of the First Amendment issues. This was a technical ruling on the matter of whether the plaintiffs have standing to sue. The plaintiffs clearly have standing based on the emotional distress caused by the presence of antisemitic signs outside their place of worship.”

Herskovitz told the JN he was pleased with the ruling.

“To me, it’s clear Jewish power still exists … The judge ruled that … what we do is free speech,” he said.

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Jews in the D

Grocery Workers Are Essential, Too

KENNETH POWERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Though Michigan conin Farmington Hills, recalled tinues to grapple with some of the hardships the COVID-19 cases this market suffered when the summer, essential workers in pandemic first hit Michigan in the Jewish community have mid-March. been breathing a sigh of relief “Our whole business model over the past few months. had to change. Sales were

Many grocery store workers down, and everyone was stayfind working conditions to ing at home,” Montgomery said. be more tolerable since April, To adjust to the “new norwhen the pandemic was at its mal,” Montgomery said the worst. store began to limit ordering of

Joe Montgomery, general less popular grocery items and manager of Johnny Pomodoro’s embrace social distancing policontinued from page 26 toward November with the hope this will become a statewide initiative with our hospital leading the crusade.

“We thought patients might feel like their health was their priority, not casting a vote,” Schavrien said. “But after spending time with them, we saw just how important this was. Once we understood what a difference this made for our patients, we vowed to commit to doing this for every election moving forward. “As we know, voting is not only a right but a responsibility,” she continued. “With the uncertainty of what the future holds, any and every opportunity to make this happen needs to be explored. “Both Erin and I feel very strongly that every person should be granted the opportunity to exercise their right to vote should they choose to. As far as public health is concerned, with the possibility of mass hospitalizations come fall, the vote-by-mail option would certainly help to support this right.” Whether it’s nursing or social action, Schavrien credits the inclusivity, forgiveness and acceptance in Judaism with keeping her centered in all she does. “What resonates with me from my Jewish teachings cies as customers were required to stand at a 6-foot distance in grocery lines. As a result, he said the store is slowly getting back to operating at a normal capacity.

“Supplies constantly out of stock, like cleaning wipes, alcohol and hand sanitizer, are now back on our shelves,” he added.

Montgomery said workers have a cleaning schedule to routinely sanitize surfaces to minimize the chances of spreading or contracting the virus.

But not every store has taken the same precautions. Jordana Wolfson, who picks her grocery shopping times carefully, said she’s gone to another market in the area that isn’t making the same effort to keep workers and customers safe.

“The market in my area needs to take some of the same precautions that larger supermarkets like Kroger take. They need to put up plexiglass for the cashiers who deal with so many people on a regular basis. They also need to sanitize the shopping carts. This will save lives,” is the humanistic quality I grew up with at Temple Israel,” she said. “This LISA SCHAVRIEN is something I strive to live by — understanding people as people first and patients second.

“There’s so much that’s been rewarding throughout my career, I’m almost immune to the feeling of reward,” Schavrien said. “Sometimes I take a step back to observe my actions, and I do feel a sense of accomplishment. I’ve had a great run, and if I stopped working tomorrow, I’d know I’ve made a difference.” Wolfson said.

Even though coming to work daily has been a risk for Montgomery, he remains dedicated to his job despite concerns about contracting the virus.

“Our job in the grocery store is essential. We must meet the needs of the people in our community,” he added.

In fact, his dedication and tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed by Johnny Pomodoro’s customers. Recently, customers designed and posted a banner for Montgomery and the grocery store workers which read, “Thank You, Grocery Store Heroes.”

Montgomery is also pleased that most of his customers have been complying with the governor’s order requiring all Michiganders to wear face masks or cloth coverings over their nose and mouth.

“Wearing a mask is one of the ways that we can protect each other during this pandem

ic,” he added.

Schavrien helps deliver a friend’s baby boy, Brody

Jews in the D Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss in studio can provide an opportunity for “Jews who may feel like outsiders in the community to be insiders. “We’re taking measures every time we have conversations about FedRadioDetroit to be as inclusive in the commuTackling Tough Topics nity as possible.” Recent guests have includ

Podcast FedRadioDetroit aims to share ed Scott Kaufman, former CEO of Jewish Federation of standout stories in the Jewish community. Metropolitan Detroit; Carolyn W e’re not afraid to tackle tough issues in the community,” Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Dubin tackles issues such as antisemitism. The idea ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bellinson of the nonprofit Brilliant Detroit, which focuses on childhood literacy; and Dr. Howard Lupovitch, director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for said Sam Dubin, co-host of is to focus on unique pockets of Judaic Studies at Wayne State FedRadioDetroit, a podcast prolocal Jewish life. University. duced by the Jewish Federation “I’m most interested in coverWith a diverse cast of characof Metropolitan Detroit. ing people and issues surroundters, FedRadioDetroit covers all

The podcast series, which ing the Jewish community from bases. But perhaps most diverse launched in December 2019, a lens that you may not see elseare its two co-hosts, who Dubin has released eight episodes where,” said Dubin, 28, of Royal says are a perfect complement centered around Jewish life in Oak, who attends Temple Israel to one another. “We come from Metro Detroit. and is a member of Federation’s different generations,” he said.

Alongside co-host Beverly NEXTGen Detroit executive “I’m a millennial, and she’s not. Liss, president of Jewish board. He hopes the podcast We really clicked. Our conneccers were shown appreciation Barren told Young Israel congregants through a recent program run that his job is to protect and ensure by Young Israel of Southfield. that community members feel safe. Through the YIOS Youth He acknowledged the beautiful gesDepartment, children of the synature of the children and adults at such cards and pictures for the Southfield Chief Jeff Jagielski provided safety Police Department. On July 23, a contingent of nearly 50 children and adults from the synagogue visited the police department to deliver their projects and express their gratitude. Accompanying the group, all properly attired in masks, were Councilman Ari Mandelbaum and Rabbi Yechiel Morris, rabbi of Young Israel of Southfield. Mandelbaum strategies that families should implement during the summer. After questions from YIOS members, the children distributed their homemade cards and pictures to the police officers who also enjoyed snacks and cold drinks, which were sponsored by the Jacobs Family and Jerusalem Pizza. “Our goal today was to deliver one message — Thank you for all that you COURTESY OF YOUNG ISRAEL OF SOUTHFIELD tion on-air is good and it’s been a pleasure to grow the relationship I have with her.”

Liss, a Bloomfield Hills resident who belongs to Adat Shalom Synagogue, agreed with Dubin.

“When we have a guest come to our podcast, Sam and I approach the questions and the conversations in two different ways. That mix makes for a really electric discussion.”

Dubin, a graduate of Central Michigan University, majored in broadcast journalism and has a passion for podcasting, which he considers a great medium for longer-form discussions that may not be found elsewhere.

His goal is to increase reach and build an inclusive platform that aims to highlight and celebrate standout stories of Jewish individuals, organizations and

Listen to episodes of the podcast at jewishdetroit.org/podcast.

Thank You! Young Israel of Southfi eld youth thank local police. JN STAFF

Local law enforcement offiSouthfield Chief of Police Elvin gogue began by preparing homemade a challenging time. Acting Deputy COURTESY OF YOUNG ISRAEL OF SOUTHFIELD beyond in Metro Detroit. offered greetings and was followed by do!” said Rabbi Ari Steinig, the youth ABOVE: Councilman Ari Mandelbaum, Acting Deputy Chief Jeff Rabbi Morris, who noted how much the police department does for the director at Young Israel of Southfield, who coordinated the event with Jagielski, Southfield Chief of Police Elvin Barren, Rabbi Yechiel Morris, Rabbi Ari Steinig, Menucha, Mrs. Rachel Steinig. TOP: Members of the Young Israel of Southfield with the Southfield synagogue and community. Councilman Ari Mandelbaum. Police Department.