DJN November 25, 2021

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS Nov. 25 - Dec. 1 2021 / 21-27 Kislev 5782

thejewishnews.com

Happy Chanukah!

Wishing your family a season of love, light and happiness.

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contents Nov. 25- Dec. 1 2021 / 21-27 Kislev 5782 | VOLUME CLX, ISSUE 16

20

26 PURELY COMMENTARY 4-10

Essays and viewpoints.

46 34

CHANUKAH 12 14 16

Chag Sameach!

May light and love fill your holidays.

Inextinguishable Flame

Make the holiday more Earth-friendly this year.

18

24 26 30

32

36

ArtPrize-Winning Turkey

Re-purposed file folders become ‘Birds of a Feather’ sculptures.

Permanent Home

Chabad Jewish Center of Troy signs lease for Jewish community center.

Shoah Ambassadors Premieres After two years of production, Holocaust film debuts in Novi.

Frankel Jewish Academy cross country runner Merrick Michaelson runs alone at the state meet.

38

Kadima Fundraiser a Success

39

Temple Kol Ami’s Astronomy Havdalah

MAZEL TOV 40

Moments

SPIRIT 41

Torah portion

42

Chanukah: The Multiplier Effect — The Power of the Jewish People

44 46

Email sent by Birmingham commissioner may have antisemitic themes; some say it’s “only political.”

52

Anti-Bullying Crusader

53

36 ETC.

The Exchange 55 Obituaries 57 Looking Back 62

Shabbat & Holiday Lights Shabbat starts: Friday, Nov. 26: 4:44 p.m.

Shabbat ends: Saturday, Nov. 27: 5:49 p.m.

Chanukah first night: Sunday, Nov. 28 * Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

ON THE COVER: Cover Art: Emily Miller, artist.

Cover design: Michelle Sheridan

Synagogue Directory

ARTS & LIFE

ADL Issues Complaint

Through martial arts, Matt Sikora helps kids take a stance against bullying.

All By Himself

FACES & PLACES

Chanukah Traditions

The JN asked readers for their holiday stories — and they delivered.

OUR COMMUNITY 20

SPORTS

Chanukah’s miracle sheds light on the spirit of the Jewish people.

Nine Creative Ways to Have a More Sustainable Chanukah

A Hidden Treasure

First-edition Eames Storage Unit, purchased for $100, sells for nearly $50,000 at auction.

The Music of Sound

“The Great Animal Orchestra,” on exhibit now, showcases the symphony of nature.

Celebrity News

thejewishnews.com Follow Us on Social Media: Facebook @DetroitJewishNews Twitter @JewishNewsDet Instagram @detroitjewishnews

EVENTS

Community Calendar NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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3

PURELY COMMENTARY essay

I Declined the Pilecki Prize to Support Brave Polish Historians Under Threat

I

n the past few weeks, I had the rare opportunity to publicly register my opposition to the Polish government’s efforts to revise and control the narrative of the Holocaust.

It was a small gesture that will not change the situation but may offer some succor to activists, acaEliyana Adler demics and other people in Poland opposed to the current government’s policies.

As is well known by now, the populist and nationalist Polish ruling party has not only passed a law to punish those who defame the good name of Poles during World War II, but also actively and energetically introduced rescue as the main aspect of Polish-Jewish relations during the war to be recognized and discussed in public.

Many Polish scholars have continued to produce cutting-edge work that engages with the complexities of life under the terrible German occupation, yet they do so under threat. In February 2021, two leading Polish historians were ordered by a court to apologize for work they had published. While many outside of Poland were appalled by this turn of events, there was little we could do to advocate for academic freedom and against the distortion of the Holocaust.

Thus, when my book, Survival on the Margins: Polish Jewish Refugees in the Wartime Soviet Union, won the Pilecki Prize, I suddenly had a chance

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

to take a stand on behalf of my colleagues in Poland. The Pilecki Institute is a research institution dedicated to studying 20th-century totalitarian regimes and funded by the government.

They are able to offer generous subsidies for their research projects, fellowships and prizes.

They have also supported the government in undermining uncomfortable historical research findings and promulgating the paradigm of Polish non-Jews as rescuers of Polish Jews.

On Oct. 30, the institute wrote to offer me the prize and ask me to keep quiet about it until the official announcement on Nov. 16. After serious deliberation with friends and family, I declined the Pilecki Prize with a letter explaining my decision on Nov. 4. Eight days later, when the institute put out a press release regarding my decision, I allowed my letter to be published in Polish the following day. The institute responded with an open letter of their own. Here is my original letter, explaining why I could not accept the prize: Dear Mr. Stefanek, I want to thank you for honoring my book with the Witold Pilecki Book Award. After a decade of research in archives

around the world, it is truly heartwarming to receive recognition.

Equally, I hope that the book will indeed bring attention to the important story at its core: the experiences of Polish Jewish refugees who survived the Second World War in the Soviet interior. Finally, the life of Witold Pilecki, after whom the Institute and the prize are named, is an inspiration to us all. It is thus with a heavy heart that I must decline this honor.

The Pilecki Institute, while very generous in supporting some historical scholarship on the Second World War, has also been involved in suppressing the work of historians who strive to show the complex and indeed tragic aspects of Poland’s wartime past. War and occupation push humans and societies to their limits. The situation during World War II was horrific for all Poles, albeit not in equal measure. Some non-Jewish Poles, as profiled on the institute’s website, lost their lives protecting their Jewish compatriots. Others, as we know from the scholarship of Professors Jan T. Gross, Jan Grabowski, and Barbara Engelking among others, profited in a variety of ways from the murder of their neighbors.

Across Europe, different

countries have slowly begun to come to terms with the Holocaust and its difficult legacies. The Nazis did not achieve their goals single-handedly.

Rather, they relied on extensive local support in every country that they occupied, as well as collaboration from Axis and even neutral states. Recognizing and researching this entangled past is part of moving forward. After 1989, it appeared that Poland was on this path.

Indeed, the quality, breadth and depth of research coming from Polish scholars of the Holocaust continues to be breathtaking.

However, in recent years, the government, with the support of the Pilecki Institute, has moved to curtail this crucial research through the threat and reality of legal action.

As an historian, I must stand with my many brave friends and colleagues in Poland and the remarkable research they are doing. Moreover, I believe that continuing the difficult work of confronting the complicated and uncomfortable facts of the Holocaust in Poland will help the country to make sense of its past and help scholars around the world to learn about the ongoing effects of genocide.

Sincerely, Eliyana Adler Dr. Eliyana Adler studies and teaches East European Jewish history. Her book, Survival on the Margins: Polish Jewish Refugees in the Wartime Soviet Union, was published in 2020. She lives in Maryland with her family and travels for research.

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5

PURELY COMMENTARY essay

You Really Should Have Been There

After 20 years of false hope for those awaiting aliyah in Ethiopia; we must make their cause our cause, stop standing on ceremony and bring them home.

H

ow is it that what should be a Jewish cause par excellence has been reduced to a parochial story of seemingly marginal interest to the Israeli public?

Some background. In 2013, Israel declared that it had fulfilled its historic mission of bringing Dr. David the entirety of Breakstone Ethiopian Jewry to Israel. In retrospect, it turns out that that declaration referred only to those whose Jewish lineage was maternal. It did not take into account those of patrilineal descent, nor the thousands whose close relatives were already here but who had inexplicably been abandoned.

Two years later, in response to

Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com Associate Editor: David Sachs dsachs@thejewishnews.com Social Media and Digital Producer: Nathan Vicar nvicar@thejewishnews.com Staff Reporter: Danny Schwartz dschwartz@thejewishnews.com Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@thejewishnews.com

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appeals based on humanitarian considerations, the Israeli government decided that it would allow all those of Jewish ancestry to be brought to Israel if they a) had first-degree family in Israel requesting their reunification, b) had arrived in Gondar or Addis Ababa prior to 2010, c) appeared on the community’s membership list and d) declared their inten| Editorial DIrector of Editorial:

Publisher The Detroit Jewish News Foundation Chair: Gary Torgow Vice President: David Kramer Secretary: Robin Axelrod Treasurer: Max Berlin Board members: Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel, Mark Zausmer

Senior Advisor to the Board: Mark Davidoff Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: Mike Smith Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: Arthur Horwitz Founding Publisher Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

The author at the demonstration for Ethiopian Jewry.

Contributing Writers: Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Shari S. Cohen, Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Louis Finkelman, Stacy Gittleman, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, Robin Schwartz, Mike Smith, Steve Stein, Julie Smith Yolles, Ashley Zlatopolsky

tion to convert to Judaism.

That 2015 decision has yet to be fulfilled, though it included the stipulation that its implementation was to begin within four months and completed within five years. In fact, the first of the new immigrants would only arrive in 2017, and, in the intervening years, only a fraction of those supposedly eligible to | Advertising Sales Director of Advertising: Keith Farber kfarber@thejewishnews.com Senior Account Executive: Kathy Harvey-Mitton kmitton@thejewishnews.com

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make aliyah have actually been allowed to come.

As the Council of Ethiopian Kesim and Rabbis in Israel, the local leadership of the community in Ethiopia and prominent activists for the cause all estimate that there are another 14,000 who meet the criteria for aliyah already approved, even the recent government resolution to expedite the arrival of an additional 5,000 would leave many more than that still stranded.

In addition to which, it appears that no date has yet been set for the beginning of the operation, nor any plan yet in place for its execution. Hence the demonstration. Given the broken promises of past governments, there is understandable — even if not justified — suspicion regarding the reliability of this one. continued on page 8

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The Hadas and Dennis Bernard Family Centennial Gift Reflects a Lifetime of Leadership and Commitment “Tzedakah is Judaism’s gift to the world. When we repair the world, we are identifying as Jews and as supporters of humanity.” These words reflect the profound Jewish values that guide the lives of Hadas and Dennis Bernard, two of our community’s most committed individuals. Hadas, born in Israel and raised in Detroit, was steeped in local Jewish life at home, from camps and youth groups to her time as a student leader at the U of M Hillel. Since then, she has been involved in numerous Jewish and greater non-sectarian community organizations, for whom she has served in a range of leadership and board member roles. Originally from Cleveland, Dennis is also a longtime leader in Jewish Detroit, offering his business acumen and leadership skills to agencies and organizations across the community. Currently, Dennis serves as President of the United Jewish Foundation (UJF), the financial arm of the Jewish Federation and the central custodian of the communities’ resources. In addition to their leadership, Hadas and Dennis have established a long legacy of support for the Jewish community. “Tzedakah is important to us,” Hadas says, “because it not only lifts whoever

receives the tzedakah, it also lifts our heart and soul.”

The Hadas and Dennis Bernard Family Centennial Gift will support the UJF’s General Fund, often described as our community’s rainy-day fund. “The General Fund is there for when our community needs it most,” Dennis says, “due to crises, bad economy or urgent needs. It’s for times when no one else is willing or able to step up.”

Over the years, the General Fund has played a critical role in Federation’s ability to respond to changing needs in the community—as well as emergencies. “I can think of nothing more important than continuing to replenish the General Fund,” he adds. “It’s absolutely essential to the welfare of the community.” This notion is at the heart of the Centennial Fund itself and reflects the insight and vision that comes with the couple’s decades of service. “Many people have marveled on how Judaism has survived for 5,782 years,” the Bernards note. “One of the reasons is tzedakah. By giving to Jewish causes, we are supporting Jewish identity and values that create a continuum of Jewish life.”

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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PURELY COMMENTARY continued from page 6

A woman at the demonstration

In the meantime, those praying for an airlift to Israel are facing an increasingly volatile security situation as the civil war raging in the country closes in on them, while, of course, also contending daily with abject poverty and serious health issues, exacerbated by the COVID-19 economic fallout.

So why the delay? Clearly there are those in positions of power who do not want them here at all, arguing that it is not Israel’s duty to open its gates to non-Jews, nor is it Israel’s responsibility to shoulder the social and economic burden of absorbing them.

A rather spurious position under the circumstances.

Though indeed the prevailing rabbinic opinion is that those awaiting permission to come are for the most part not halachically Jewish, the overwhelming majority of the community’s members maintain a strictly traditional Jewish lifestyle and 95 percent of them convert under the auspices of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate within a year of their aliyah.

Furthermore, this is no longer an argument that any of us should countenance. It is far too late, and completely irrelevant, to ask if those awaiting aliyah in Gondar and Addis Ababa are Jewish, because what clearly isn’t Jewish is sustaining people’s hopes for 20 years, tearing families apart and then reneging on promises to reunite them out of concern for polluting the Jewish

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gene pool. An argument, by the way, never raised in regard to the more than half of the immigrants from the FSU who have arrived over the past few years who are also not halachically Jewish and who overwhelmingly do not convert, but who nevertheless are welcomed — as they should be — with open arms.

Besides, anyone not convinced that these Ethiopian immigrants are bona fide Jews even after their conversion need not marry them. As to those who are afraid that 14,000 more mouths to feed and souls to house will break the economy of our 9-million strong Start-up Nation, well, I’d suggest taking a look at the state budget just passed and calculating how very little of the earmarked “coalition funds” it would take to absorb them.

The ongoing procrastination, then, in bringing home the remnants of Ethiopian Jewry should be a cause for profound embarrassment, and their aliyah a cause we should all embrace.

This is not a peripheral parochial issue, but a national moral imperative. The plight of those left behind is a blight on an otherwise stellar chapter in the annals of the Zionist enterprise, and it is our collective responsibility to right this wrong — as one. If Israel’s social fabric cannot be woven seamlessly of strands of black and white, it may well unravel altogether.

None of us should be prepared to tolerate any longer a situation in which Israel remains in the business of tearing families apart.

Dr. David Breakstone recently completed a term as deputy chair of the executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. He previously served as deputy chair of the World Zionist Organization and conceptual architect and founding director of the Herzl Museum and Educational Center in Jerusalem.

Yiddish Limericks

Thanksgiving On Thanksgiving Day A shaynem dahnk we’ll say.

Far alle gutte zakhn nisht ein, nisht tzvay.

Far yingalakh un maydalakh, far alle zisse kinderlakh Nisht nor haunt, but every day.

A shaynem dahnk: a nice thank you Far alle gutte zakhn: for all the good things Nisht ein nisht tzvay: not one, not two ingalakh un maydalakh: little boys and little girls Far zisse kinderlakh: for sweet children Nisht nor haynt: not only today.

Chanukah

We add a lichtl yeder nacht It’s ein, tzvay, dri, until it’s acht.

Ich hob azay lib the Chanukah food Dos vareme latkes, they taste so good.

Nu, kum arayn, ess vos ich hob gemacht. lichtl: little candle Ein, tzvey, dri: one, two, three Acht: eight Ich hob azay lib: I love so much Dos vareme latkes: the warm latkes Kum arayn: come in ess vos ich hob gemacht: eat what I made.

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PURELY COMMENTARY opinion

Why Is Iran Returning to the Negotiating Table?

A

fter several months of uncertainty and delay, Iran has announced its return in November to talks in Vienna regarding a return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

The question is, why? This is an unconditional return, Yaakov contrary to the Amidror JNS.org position previously expressed

by Iran, which demanded an easing of sanctions as a precondition to resuming negotiations. The Iranian concession is an apparent American success.

The reason Iran is returning to the talks is simple: the present leadership in Tehran has a clear interest in returning to the 2015 agreement because it is a good agreement for Iran, which seeks to develop nuclear weapons.

The Iranians understood that the nuclear deal was good for them and that it is now even more so in light of the rapid progress in their enrichment program.

The real question, then, is why did Iran delay?

The delay may have been a negotiating tactic on the Iranians’ part, designed to elicit concessions from the Americans. Moreover, the Iranians knew it was safe to delay the resumption of talks because they understood that no U.S. military option

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existed, neither in the current administration nor the previous one. The absence of a military option was the main weakness the Iranians sensed when the previous U.S. administration withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018.

It was a significant mistake to withdraw from the deal without charting a viable military option and demonstrating the determination to use it if necessary. The Iranians realized that no matter what they did, with the exception of U.S. or other intelligence services detecting the actual assembly of a bomb, the United States was unwilling to use military force to stop the nuclear project.

The Iranian perception that there is no military option on the table will also be their basic assumption in future negotiations.

The Iranians know that the United States has no alternative but to return to the agreement, so they will not rush to fold — and may first try to remove sanctions and gain other economic benefits.

The Iranians also observed that after launching drone attacks against an American base in al-Tanf in eastern Syria last month, the United States failed to respond in any serious manner. Even though there were no casualties, this event demonstrated

Iran’s determination and reading of American behavior. This lack of an American response signaled that the United States wants to return to negotiations at almost any cost. But, unfortunately, it also might lead Iran to conclude that it can continue its aggressive behavior in the Middle East as long as there are prospects for further talks.

Further, the perceived American weakness will motivate the Iranians to run out the clock in negotiations.

The talks themselves give the Iranians more freedom of action as they restrict the ability of the United States to respond to provocations, including even elementary acts of force protection, and thus harm U.S. deterrence.

ISRAEL’S POSITION The United States emphasizes that the return to the nuclear agreement is only a first step, after which it intends to enter into talks aimed at a better and longer deal. However, the chances of reaching such an agreement are nil because the United States has no leverage over Iran.

Iran could drag the talks out again and things could end back at square one.

Moreover, Iran now openly threatens that the talks will fail unless the United States offers guarantees that would bind future administrations’

behavior. Any such attempt to enshrine the agreement as a formal treaty, however, would require ratification by the Senate; the necessary two-thirds majority is nowhere in sight.

Israel cannot and should not interfere with the talks.

Still, Israel must obtain from the United States a commitment to complete the negotiations in a short time and not let the Iranian procrastinate for months.

Israel must learn what the U.S. response will be if it turns out that there is no chance of reaching an agreement, and what the timetable might be for attempting to reach a longer and stronger deal.

Either way, Israel must prepare for the possibility it will have to defend itself — because a nuclear Iran is not an option Israel can accept.

As has been declared by a few American presidents, Israel should be able to defend itself, by itself.

An effort to prevent Iran from going nuclear will not be simple and will perhaps even be dangerous—but it is necessary.

IDF Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror was national security adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and chairman of Israel’s National Security Council (April 2011-November 2013). This article was first published by the Jerusalem Institute of Strategy and Security.

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CHANUKAH

Chag Sameach!

May light and love fill your holidays.

Grand Prize Emily Miller, 12 Birmingham

T

he Detroit Jewish News received so many beautiful and creative submissions for our cover art contest that it was hard to choose a winner. However, Emily Miller’s submission did stand out, not only because it’s beautifully drawn (which it is!) but because of the feeling of family and warmth her drawing evoked. That’s what holidays are about — family — and we think she illustrated that sentiment so well. We’re glad to have it as our cover.

Emily is 12 and lives in Birmingham. She is a seventhgrader at Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills and said she likes “drawing in general.”

She set out to combine several smaller elements into her drawing. “I included the Torah to represent Judaism,” she said. “My aunt recently had a baby, so I wanted to incorporate Emily Miller something about generations,” she said of the clasped hands.

“I also love the way the light of the menorah shines on your face,” she said. “Then I used the Jewish star to combine all the drawings.”

Emily will receive $100, which she said she plans to save.

All of the other winners of our contest will receive $18. We thank everyone for participating. We have an online gallery of all entries for you to look at on thejewishnews.com.

Happy Chanukah from everyone at the JN.

5 and Under: First Place: Lucy Gottsegen, 4 West Bloomfield

Second Place: Ma’ayan Bernhardt, 5 West Bloomfield

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Third Place: Alex Lipson, 5 West Bloomfield

Honorable Mention: Hilla Maine, 5 West Bloomfield

Ages 6-9:

Ages 10-12: First Place: Joshua Rodner, 9 Bloomfield Hills

Second Place: Sophie Gottlib, 9 Southfield

First Place: Zoey Love Hill, 10 Beverly Hills

Second Place: Ava Federman, 10 Bloomfield Hills

Third Place: Isabella Moses, 9 Huntington Woods

Honorable Mention: Leah Gottfried, 8 Southfield

Third Place: Asher Brode, 12 Bloomfield Hills

Honorable Mention: Jack Friedman, 10 Southfield

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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CHANUKAH

Inextinguishable Flame Chanukah’s miracle sheds light on the spirit of the Jewish people.

T

he story of Chanukah goes back thousands of years to when the Greek Empire dominated the world scene. It is a story of a mighty kingdom trying to impose its culture and values on a tiny and peaceful nation, which clung fiercely to the beliefs and religion that they had adhered to for centuries. To accomplish their goal, the Greeks resorted to Rabbi Chaim cruel oppression and tyranFink nical practices. But try as they may, the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people could not be vanquished. Sabbaths went on being observed, newborn babies entered into the covenant of Abraham, and Jewish holidays based on the lunar calendar were still celebrated.

A band of courageous men, the Hasmoneans, stood up to the powerful Greek army and fought valiantly; some of them giving their lives for the cause they believed in. Once the Greek army had been repelled and retreated from the land of Israel, our ancestors entered the Holy Temple, where they had served the Almighty Creator of the world. They found that this sacred structure had been ransacked.

Every item anathema to the Jews had been brought into the Temple, and all of the oil jugs used to fill and light the menorah candelabra had their seals broken and were rendered impure. It would take longer than a week to produce more oil, so what would they kindle in the interim? This is where the Chanukah miracle took place! They lit the

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little bit of oil they had, just enough for one day, and it burned strong for eight consecutive days. To commemorate this miracle, we kindle in our homes a menorah for the eight days of Chanukah.

The Greeks were on a mission to dominate and crush the spirit of the Jewish people. They sought to tear them away from their rich heritage and traditions and break them, and to eventually swallow them up into the prevailing Hellenistic culture. But the spirit of the Jewish people could not be broken. It held strong, and they kept on practicing in the way of their parents and grandparents. They kept their heads up high and fought for what they believed in. The Greeks were not the first and, unfortunately, not the last to attempt to break the Jewish people.

A MODERN MIRACLE I am reminded of a story that happened to my wife’s grandfather, Henry Berger, a survivor of eight concentration and death camps, including Auschwitz. When he was in a forced labor detail, he was sent into the Warsaw Ghetto after it had been liquidated. His group was tasked with the job of cleaning out the ghetto. He and his fellow inmates were starving, the meager rations given to them by the Germans were not close to enough to sustain life. Henry would find trinkets throughout the emptied ghetto, hide them beneath his uniform and then trade them with the local Polish peasants as the work detail was marched through the towns and villages. He took the food and distributed it among his fellow prisoners, as

every calorie meant the difference between life and death.

One day, he was caught, viciously beaten, and left for dead. His friends carried his broken body back to camp and, after a few days, he miraculously recovered. His first day back on the job, as he was clearing debris from the ghetto, he once again collected some trinkets to barter with the peasants to provide some nourishment for his fellow prisoners. His body was imprisoned, but his spirit was free. The Germans were unsuccessful in breaking his kind Jewish spirit.

This is the story of Chanukah — that small little flame, the Jewish spirit burning strong through the night, through the darkest of times, impossible to extinguish. Though tyrants have persecuted us, beaten us, that inner light that burns strong in the heart and soul of the Jewish people refuses to go out. It goes on shining, illuminating the world. The Torah teaches that just a little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness.

Several years ago, I visited the Mammoth Caves in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the largest underground cave system in the world. Our tour guide warned us that he was about to turn off the electric lights in the cave. When he hit the switch, it went completely dark. But then he lit just one little match and the entire cavernous room lit up — from that one tiny flame. That humble little flame, the Chanukah light, the spirit of the Jewish people, will go on illuminating the world.

Rabbi Chaim Fink is an educator with Partners Detroit.

Our warmest wishes this holiday season!

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CHANUKAH

Use organic oil to make your latkes this year.

Make the Holiday More Earth-friendly this Year Nine creative ways to have a more sustainable Chanukah.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A

s we continue to think of new and creative ways to lead more sustainable lives, even our annual Chanukah celebrations can be transformed into greener, Earth-friendly practices.

This year, there are numerous steps you can take to have a healthy and sustainable Chanukah with loved ones.

Here are nine ways to have a green Chanukah without skimping on traditions.

1. TRANSFORM YOUR LATKES Typically served with sour

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cream or applesauce, a few simple changes to a traditional latke recipe can go a long way in creating more sustainable meals for the Jewish holiday.

Opting for an all-natural or organic sour cream can be a great start, as can creating your own applesauce from locally purchased apples.

For a new and healthier taste, consider making latkes out of sweet potatoes as well.

2. COOK WITH ORGANIC OIL Oil is a staple of Chanukah cooking, which means using

an organic oil can increase sustainability. From latkes to roasted vegetables, having an organic oil on hand can help you create a number of flavorful dishes.

“We recommend palm oil that comes from a regenerative forest,” suggests Wren Hack, director of Hazon Detroit, a Jewish organization that promotes sustainability. “It won’t hurt the planet as much as everything else.”

3. CHOOSE LOCAL POTATOES AND ONIONS Potatoes, onions and other

root vegetables are a mainstay in the fall and winter, which means these items can easily be found when grocery shopping.

Buying produce from local vendors or farmers markets not only helps support Michigan-based small businesses, but it also helps promote sustainability while cutting down on food waste.

“Many farmers markets are still open,” Hack says, “like Eastern Market, Royal Oak and Pontiac.”

Buy potatoes and onions from local growers.

Use fair-trade chocolate for your Chanukah gelt.

4. GIFT FAIR-TRADE CHOCOLATE Unlike traditional chocolate, fair-trade chocolate is a chocolate made with cacao beans that comes from farmers who are guaranteed a fair price for their crop.

With chocolate gelt being one of the most endearing Chanukah traditions, especially for kids, consider gifting fairtrade chocolate instead for a sweet yet sustainable choice.

“We recommend Chocolove, Dagoba, Equal Exchange and Sunspire,” Hack says.

You can also try making your own gelt from a number of online gelt recipes, simply subbing in fair trade chocolate.

5. CREATE DIY GIFTS Rather than buying something store-made or mass-produced, create your own DIY Chanukah gifts for loved ones that can prove to be just as memorable and heartwarming.

Some ideas include taking a photo and creating your own frame, knitting a scarf or hat or making your own beeswax candles.

6. DONATE TO A GOOD CAUSE Rather than gifting Chanukah gelt or presents, ask loved ones

if you can make a donation in their name instead.

Local emergency food providers and hunger relief organizations are both excellent choices during the holiday season, when many families struggle to put a hot meal on the table.

7. PRACTICE “EIGHT DAYS OF ACTION” For the eight days of Chanukah, consider using this time to give back to the community (and planet).

“A lot of local food pantries, if they don’t need volunteers, they certainly need food,” Hack says.

Small but meaningful steps can include volunteering for a night as Hack suggests, cooking a meal for someone in need or setting aside family time to watch a film about food justice.

8. REUSE GIFT SUPPLIES Instead of opening a gift and throwing away the bag or gift wrap, consider reusing gift supplies to help cut down on holiday waste.

Beautiful gift bags in particular can be reused a number of times, reducing your use of paper and plastic.

For homemade Chanukah gift bags and wraps that are reusable, Hack suggests visiting online retailer Etsy, which has a number of creative options for sale.

9. USE GREEN CHANUKAH DECORATIONS Just a few small changes in your Chanukah decor can amount to big gains for sustainability.

“Try crafting a dreidel out of recyclable materials,” Hack says.

“Also, as a family or community activity, make your own menorah using recycled materials.”

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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sends our family an email that reads something like this: “In lieu of a material gift, we will collectively donate to a charity in each one of our names that the gift recipient would appreciate. For example, everyone but Abba will collectively decide a charity that Abba would appreciate and give a gift in his name.

Then, on one night of Chanukah, we will reveal the gift via an email to that person. Don’t ruin the surprise beforehand!

“Each person will have $100 donated in their honor to the charity the rest of the family selects for them. One person will be designated to actually make the donation on behalf of each person and will also send the email receipt to the honoree and explain how we chose that charity.”

I am blessed to have a family filled with mensches! And I highly encourage other families to take on this tradition as well!

CHANUKAH

Chanukah Traditions

The JN asked readers for their holiday stories — and they delivered.

Hillary Glaser

SHARING THE CHANUKAH STORY My kids are in a public school where there aren’t many Jewish families. From the time my oldest was in kindergarten, teachers have asked us to come in and talk about Chanukah. So, every year, I come to the school with dreidels and gelt to tell the story of Chanukah and the rituals behind it.

The Chanukah before the pandemic, we hosted one of the Shinshinim (a Jewish Agency for Israel program that sends high school grads to live with

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host families for a year as young ambassadors to various cities through Jewish Federations before doing their military service). Yuval was gracious enough to join me in talking about Chanukkah.

While Shinshinim are usually here to help in Jewish institutions, it was really special to have Yuval talk about how Chanukah is celebrated in Israel. For many kids, our family is the first Jewish family they’ve met before. We’re a blended Israeli family and having someone our kids look up to like an older brother come to talk to their friends about Chanukah was really special. All of the kids wanted Yuval to play the dreidel game with them.

This was one of the best Chanukkah experiences we’ve had as a family.

Hillary Glaser Walled Lake

HER FATHER’S VOICE December 1971 was the last Chanukah shared with my father, as he died Penny in September 1972.

Goldin Each year, as I light Michelin the candles and sing the blessings, I can still hear my father singing the blessings with me, in his Ashkenazic accent, 50 years later.

Penny Goldin Michelin Rochester

Rachel Devries

A CHARITABLE TRADITION A few years ago, my eldest brother, Danny Devries, came up with a wonderful tradition for our immediate family! Every year he

Rachel Devries Birmingham

A SPECIAL DAY TO GATHER My husband’s extended family used to all gather together on Christmas Day to celebrate Chanukah as no one had to work on that day.

Presents would be piled high and food Esther Gold would be abundant.

Once we had children, we took over the holiday with our extended family. We changed it up a little by making homemade latkes to go with the delicious foods that were brought by other family members. And, yes, there were lots of presents. But the best part of all was all being together and celebrating Chanukah.

Due to COVID, we had to cancel our gathering in 2020.

This year, all being vaccinated, we are all looking forward to being together again!

Esther Gold Farmington Hills

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OUR COMMUNITY Hank Fleischer at Fox Run with ‘Pavo Cristatus,’ his majestic strutting proud peacock, subtitled ‘Remembering Rhoda’s beauty and poise.’

BRADEN RADTKE

ArtPrize-Winning

Turkey

Re-purposed file folders become remarkable ‘Birds of a Feather’ sculptures.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

f you think it’s time-consuming to order, purchase, prepare, cook, slice and serve your Thanksgiving turkey, imagine how Henry ‘Hank’ Fleischer feels after spending 508 hours over the course of four months to create his!

Albeit, Fleischer’s turkey was made of file folders with no need for an oven or refrigeration, but the artist did create it in his kitchen. Unlike the Thanksgiving bird, gone after a few days, Fleischer’s cre-

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ation “lives on” as one of three sculptures showcased as his award-winning entry in this year’s international ArtPrize competition, and again at a special exhibit at Fox Run Senior Living Community of Novi where he lives.

Adding to the impact of the creation, which is part of his mixed media “Birds of a Feather” trilogy, is the fact that the artist is 97 years old! Along with the turkey, the three pieces include a peacock and a phoe-

nix, all of which took more than two years to complete.

Fleischer wasn’t always an artist. He wroked for 53 years as an engineer, retiring from Numatics Inc. in Highland when he was 78, spending the next 12 years as a consultant.

“When I was 84, I had done everything on my (late) wife Rhoda’s ‘honey do’ list and needed to find something else to do,” he said. “I happened to be in the Gifts of Art Gallery at the Taubman (Health) Center in

Ann Arbor and saw some pieces of art made from folded cutouts.

I was intrigued by this and went home and spent six months folding and cutting materials, but it didn’t hold my attention,” Fleischer said. “Then Rhoda suggested that I try drawing and putting my work into 3-D form.

“I started working with paper, but it was too soft and then I used the cardboard that comes on hangers from the cleaners, but it was too heavy.” Through trial and error, he discovered file folders were the perfect material in a medium he calls “architectural art.”

“I made smaller things at the beginning,” he said. “An owl, a swan, a cat, a penguin, and a lot of geometric forms and shapes.” With smaller leftover folder-pieces, he would create jewelry for Rhoda, who he calls his muse. “I made her earrings and pendants and broaches, and used her clear nail polish as a finish,” he said.

BRADEN RADTKE

‘Phoenix Rising from the Ashes,’ created in 686 hours over a period of six months

“AN ALMOST CENTENARIAN CAN STILL CONTRIBUTE AND CAN STILL BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND CAN STILL FLY LIKE THE YOUNG EAGLES.” — HANK FLEISCHER BRUCE FLEISCHER

MATH PLUS ART EQUALS A WIN Fleischer says the process to get to where he is now was one of trial and error, and took much time and patience — and math.

“I used my trigonometry and geometry skills to see where to make the folds,” he said. “It took lots of empirical work until I realized what I was doing.”

He begins each piece by outlining the forms he draws on the file folders, scores the edges with a sharp-edged leather needle with a slightly dulled point, and then cuts, precisely folds and glues the intricate sections into 3-D art forms.

He uses various colors of file folders, even different shades of the same color from different manufacturers. “I’m always looking for different ones,” Fleischer said. “Seems everybody’s going paperless and I’m going paper.”

Much of his work also includes appliques that he cuts out and glues onto other sections. The peacock’s 7-foot semi-circular train includes 33 plumes with 219 eight-layer frontal eyespots and 215 two-layer rear eyespots, with more than 2,100 appliques on the train.

“My pieces do not have a front and back,” he said.

“Everything is finished in all directions. Some have parts that can be removed and put back in.” And all of them can be touched. “With clean hands,” he stresses. “You need to feel them and pick them up, if they’re small enough. Then you can really appreciate them.”

The conception of his artwork varies. “Sometimes I design it before hand,” Fleischer said. “Sometimes I just wander off in a phantasmagorical way.”

His descriptions of his work include mathematical terms like isometric, hexagons, algebraic equations, polyhedrons, ratio,

Hank Fleischer’s ‘Orange Segments: Deconstructed Turkey,’ described by the artist as ‘Remembering how the segments of our life varied in texture and sweetness, but were all nourishing.’

altitudes and apex but also artists’ depictions like blissful, graceful and chic.

His list of tools is as simple as it gets. “I use a compass, triangle, ruler, scissors, pencil, an awl and Elmer’s glue,” Fleischer said.

He is currently working on his 121st piece of art, storing all of them in a makeshift gallery in his apartment. “My studio is my kitchen, and my second bedroom is totally filled with objets d’art,” he said. “The pea-

cock, which is the biggest piece, was on a coffee table in the living room for a while, but its train took up too much space on the couch, so it’s now on the dining room table.”

Born in Paris and raised in New York, Fleischer received a bachelor’s of mechanical engineering degree from the City College of New York and a master’s of science degree from Columbia University. He is a 25-year trustee of the Carls

Foundation, a past member of the Detroit Science Center Board of Trustees, a Michigan licensed professional engineer, certified manufacturing engineer, and a 2019 inaugural inductee of the International Fluid Power Society Hall of Fame. He served as a regional judge for the International First® Robotics Competitions and was commissioned to author a text on fluid dynamics.

His work has been shown in the Greater Michigan Art Exhibition Midland Center for the Arts, Huron Valley Council for the Arts in Highland, Janice Charach Gallery and the Taubman Gifts of Art Gallery where he saw the piece that first inspired his art.

THE SHOWINGS This year’s Sept. 16-Oct. 3, ArtPrize competition was Fleischer’s second time exhibiting in the show, having also attended in 2012. The 2021 event showcased the artwork of 955 artists at 142 venues.

The Birds of a Feather trilogy, which he says he created “in memory of my late wife Rhoda (to) honor the moments we shared, from our first meeting through family and senior years,” was also presented at a Nov. 9, exhibition, sponsored by the Fox Run Birders group.

Before the showing of his work, the group viewed a video interview with Fleischer by the film’s producer, Fox Run resident Marj Taylor, who described him as having an inborn sense of beauty of how things are related and work together. “He can take something as simple as a file folder and with a pair of scissors and a bit of glue transfer it into art that has meaning,” she said.

Fleischer, the father of two married sons, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of three, was thrilled to welcome his son Dr. Bruce Fleischer

continued on page 22

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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continued from page 21

and his wife Judy Freedman of Bedford Hills, NY, to the show.

“I’ve had lots of time to marvel at my dad’s sculptures and they still amaze me,” Bruce Fleischer said. “He’s always been my model of patience and perseverance.

Combine those with curiosity, a good nature and humility, and see the creative results. He loves sharing his enjoyment of the process, turning file folders, trigonometry and lots of glue into art.”

Also at the exhibit was local artist Gail Rosenbloom Kaplan, who met Fleischer in 2006 when she and fellow artist Dani Katsir created the created the mosaic installation for the pediatric unit entrance at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. “We worked with pediatric patients on this artwork and the hospital had a dedication

BRADEN RADTKE

OUR COMMUNITY

Dr. Bruce Fleischer and his wife Judy Freedman flank artist Hank Fleischer at the Fox Run showing of his work.

for the children, their families and the hospital staff,” she said.

“Hank and I met as he was on the board of the Michigan Carls Foundation which funded the artwork.” She said the two had an instant connection. “We each had an appreciation of each other’s art and an understanding of the power of art To view more of to teach, and to Hank Fleischer’s heal. In his work, artwork, go to math is the basis www.hankfleischer.com expressed his pride that at his for his construcage he was able to still contribute tions, and he is excited to show young people how math can be a and to be a role model for other seniors in their 70s, 80s and 90s. part of the creative process.”

Certainly for me he is a role During the show, she said model and affirmed that I enjoy Fleischer was able to meet with having friends who are older as guests. “He walked through the they have more experience, and I exhibit and was able to share can learn from having them.” one-on-one and to mingle with Fleischer shared what he calls not only the residents but those “three basic missions” for exhibwho attended from the Carls iting his work. “I want to show Foundation,” she said. “He

that math is beautiful and useful,” he said. “The angles from trigonometry and geometry and the equations from algebra are all so beautiful and they fit together so nicely. The second purpose is to show how I used all simple tools and that nothing was computer-generated and the third was to prove that an almost centenarian can still contribute and can still be constructive and can still fly like the young eagles.”

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OUR COMMUNITY

Permanent Home Chabad Jewish Center of Troy signs lease for Jewish community center.

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

M

ore than two years after opening the Chabad Jewish Center of Troy, Rabbi Menachem and Chana Caytak have taken the next step: signing a lease for a Jewish community center, a central place in the area where Jews can congregate and celebrate their Judaism.

The move signifies a permanent location for the Chabad Jewish Center of Troy after it operated out of multiple locations for the past two years.

The Caytak’s motivation to move to Troy in the first place is exactly what’s motivating them to take the next step with the community center. It all stems from the vision of the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

“His approach was, ‘We have to get out there and reach every single Jew,’” Menachem Caytak said. “We’re not here to just gather 10, 20, 100 Jews. We’re here literally to reach every Jew in the area and provide for their own specific Jewish needs — and we won’t stop until we do that.”

Their Jewish community center is focusing on reaching out to Jews who live throughout northern Oakland County, including Troy, Rochester, Rochester Hills and even out to Lake Orion, as well as east, going into Macomb County.

The lease for the new community center is on a property in downtown Auburn Hills

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

is that it’s right next to Oakland University, (3306 Auburn Road), settling there for its which aligns with a core objective of the centralized location.

“It’s right off M-59 and also right off I-75, new center: being a Jewish student center for Jewish OU students with classes and so it’s a very central area people can access programs specifically programmed and from every point,” Caytak said. available for them.

Before Troy Chabad opened, a large While OU has a Hillel student group and percentage of the families they currently Chabad works with them on different projserve had zero interaction with any Jewish ects, Caytak says the community center will organization, he said. Through an array of provide even more for those students. educational, social and community pro“OU’s Jewish student population is a gramming, they have begun to bring the Jewish community together. They currently very important Jewish demographic that we’re serving,” he said. “We’re in touch with are in contact with more than 750 Jewish households in the area and are still growing. over 60 students who learn there. We’ve had classes every single week and provide Some of the programming Chabad has Shabbat dinner on Friday nights every sinoffered and will continue to offer at the gle week for Jewish students.” community center are Torah classes, with Another purpose is that the center will an average of 45 participants on a weekly basis, a teen group and classes Rabbi Menachem and Chana for Jewish teens, a Jewish Kids Club with dozens of Jewish chil- Caytak with their daughter Chaya Mushka. dren participating on a monthly basis, Shabbat dinners, social events, and programs such as a women’s club and a Jewish business group, with summer camp currently in the works and much more.

CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS Another benefit of the location

Classes for OU students were recently held at the center

serve is as a Jewish student lounge, which will be open throughout the day for Jewish OU students to use however they choose.

“There will be a quiet space for them to study, to use the facility to hang out and get to know each other, and there will also be kosher food for them to enjoy,” Caytak said.

He says the center will have no membership or fees, it’s simply to come and enjoy with other Jews.

“People don’t realize how

many Jews there are in the area; they don’t realize their neighbor is Jewish or that the next block over someone is Jewish,” he said. “People really enjoy getting together as a Jewish community, and this is something they didn’t have access to until we opened our doors.”

The lease began in mid-October and Caytak is currently there with classes almost every day.

Due to supply chain shortages, the center has not been completely furnished yet.

He hopes to have the place

completely set up by mid-December with an official ribbon-cutting event around that time. He also says they haven’t settled on a specific name for the new center, but they have a few ideas in mind.

Brian Granader, a member of the Troy Jewish community, is one of many in the area looking forward to what the center will bring.

“I’m really excited because there are very few places in north Oakland County where Jews can gather, and Rabbi Menachem’s approach is so welcoming and open,” Granader said. “Before, if you wanted to do any Jewish programming, you pretty much had to be a member of a synagogue. This is more just being a member of a community, so this definitely fulfills a large niche and need as well.”

Caytak says Granader’s excitement is reflective of the response

from the larger community: “People are ecstatic that this is the next move toward the continued growth of the Jewish community east of Woodward, and we’ve got something special about our organization,” he said.

“There’s no outside funding, all of the funding that comes is local, so we’re talking about families who want this to happen and are actively supporting and pushing us to do more and more.

“We hope to build up the community even more, bring together even more families and grow the community until the space we’re currently at doesn’t fit our needs anymore,” Caytak said. “If you want to learn about Judaism, we have that; if you want to celebrate the customs, we have that; if you just want to hang out with other Jews and enjoy some great Jewish food, come!”

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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Shoah Ambassadors Premieres After two years of production, Holocaust film debuts in Novi.

DANNY SCHWARTZZ STAFF WRITER

A

fter more than two years of production, Shoah Ambassadors, the Holocaust documentary film directed and produced by Keith Famie, premiered at a community showing Nov. 11 at the Novi Emagine Theatre.

The film is a new take on telling the Holocaust story, focused on educating youth about the horrors and atrocities of the genocide through ambassadors Curtis Bates and Hailey Callahan, who tell the story through their own unique artistic expression.

In attendance were Bates and Callahan, many of the Michigan-based Holocaust survivors involved in the film, supporters and executive producers, the Detroit Children’s Choir and many members of the community in a packed theater.

Shoah Ambassadors also made its debut on DPTV/PBS

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Nov. 18. DPTV/PBS is airing it a second time on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 9 p.m. as part of Jewish Heritage Night.

Before the showing, Dan Alpert, retired senior vice president of Detroit Public Television (PBS), and Dani Dayan, chairman of Yad Vashem, gave opening remarks about how important the film will be for the younger generation in learning about important events like the Holocaust. Famie then offered his thoughts on the film and thanked attending supporters.

The showing was a huge hit, and after the film, many attendees went out of their way to seek out pictures and autographs from Bates and Callahan.

Priscila Lozano, a 14-yearold Novi High School student in attendance, plans to learn more about the Holocaust after seeing the film and to spread

SAMANTHA OTTO, VISIONALIST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS

SAMANTHA OTTO, VISIONALIST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS

OUR COMMUNITY

TOP: A packed audience enjoyed the film’s debut. ABOVE: Ambassadors Curtis Bates and Hailey Callahan sign Shoah Ambassadors movie posters for those in attendance.

the film’s story and messages to friends.

“I really liked it. It gave me a different person’s point of view on how the Holocaust happened and everything they went through,” Lozano said. “It was really moving.”

Holocaust survivor Irene Miller speaks all over the country telling her story and the Holocaust story at large, but she said taking part in the film and seeing it all put together was still an emotional experience for her.

“Not too many of us Holocaust survivors are left alive, and it reminds me how important it is to reach out to young people and pass on to them the responsibility to tell this story,” Miller said.

For both Bates and Callahan, whose respective families were in attendance, it was a life-changing experience. Both ambassadors plan to continue spreading the film’s message.

“This is my first time seeing it all the way through, so it was wonderful seeing hard continued on page 28

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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SAMANTHA OTTO, VISIONALIST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS

SAMANTHA OTTO, VISIONALIST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS

OUR COMMUNITY

Producer/director Keith Famie and survivor Irene Miller.

Ambassador Curtis Bates hugs survivor Irene Miller.

continued from page 26

work come to life. I’m happy it touched people more than anything,” Bates said.

“It’s definitely a very overwhelming feeling, in a good way,” Callahan added. “It’s a lot to take in, but I’m just still very honored to be a part of it, especially seeing how huge it all is now. I hope it reaches a lot of people.”

get it into the general, social and societal pathways to be absorbed by the educational community on all levels?”

Famie said. “That’s where our focus is, how do we start doing showings in New York and Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles? How do we create a momentum now and let that momentum carry forth the

“IT’S DEFINITELY A VERY OVERWHELMING FEELING, IN A GOOD WAY” — HAILEY CALLAHAN

For Famie, after almost two and a half years of working on the project and seeing the premiere come to fruition, there’s a feeling that the work really begins now.

“Now we have something that’s extraordinary, that we know is powerful and educational, so now how do we

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power of this message and the power of understanding?”

Famie is in the process of reaching out to major organizations across the country, film festivals and various potential broadcasting venues to see how far they can reach with it.

“Not just locally, not just nationally, internationally. We

Ambassadors Curtis Bates and Hailey Callahan flank survivor Rene Lichtman.

want to see this as a global film, and I think it has that potential,” Famie said. “I think Curtis and Hailey resonate with their peer group really well. Shoah Ambassadors now has a whole new meaning and I hope that from this film, we create thousands and thousands of new Shoah ambas-

sadors. That will be the real power of this story and film.”

Famie and the Shoah Ambassadors team are still raising the necessary funds to ensure the film production will be seen internationally. To learn more about the film and/or to support, visit shoahambassadors.com.

Expo Michigan’s 10th Annual Holiday Entrepreneurs Expo

Photo by Kobi Gideon / FLASH90

The 10th annual EXPO Michigan Marketplace, hosted by the Oakland County Business Association of Michigan, is back for 2021 with more crafters, special events and more fun things for people to do and see. The event, which runs on weekends from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24, will be held at the 30,000-square-foot West Oaks Shopping Center 1 & 2 at 43480 West Oaks Drive.

This year, anyone who makes a purchase through www. autismspeaks.org will receive free admission to the fair.

As in previous years, this expo will feature handcrafted items by Michigan artisans from across the state — many with disabilities, local businesses, and more, including artists, authors, crafters, designers, direct sales, homebased businesses, small businesses and services.

Admission is $5 per person for those 12 and up, and twofor-one coupons are available online at www.expomichigan. com. Attendees can print a coupon and redeem it at the event. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

This year’s event will feature over 100 exhibitors, Michigan Super Star talent show with cash prizes, Amazing Animal Acts and food vendors.

For vendor information, advance ticket sales and to learn more, visit www.expomichigan.com or contact Shirley at 248/599-2461 or expomichigan@gmail.com.

It’s not too late to save a life in Israel this year.

For more than 90 years, American donors have provided vehicles, training, and supplies to Israel’s national paramedic and Red Cross service, equipping them to treat the sick and injured under the most difficult circumstances and to save lives.

In fact, this past year Magen David Adom’s 30,000 EMTs and paramedics have been on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus while also contending with terrorist and rocket attacks, riots, car accidents, and other threats to Israeli lives.

If you want to make a real difference in Israel, no other organization has a greater impact on its people than Magen David Adom.

Make an end-of-year donation at afmda.org/saving-lives-2021 afmda.org

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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OUR COMMUNITY

ADL Issues Complaint Some say controversial email sent by Birmingham commissioner may have antisemitic themes; some say it’s “only political.”

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

n a political email sent to Birmingham residents prior to the Nov. 2 election, some say Commissioner Clinton Baller went too far with his words, bringing out antisemitic themes.

Now, the Anti-Defamation League, or ADL, has sent a complaint to Birmingham officials asking for Baller to issue a retraction and public apology. The international group, which works to Commissioner Clinton Baller stop the defamation of Jewish people through reducing antisemitism and other hate speech, has also called on the city to “take appropriate disciplinary action” in regards to Baller’s expressions.

The controversial email in question accused fellow city commissioner Brad Host of being a “marionette of the cabal,” says David Bloom, who ran as candidate for Birmingham Commission.

It also claimed Host, who isn’t Jewish, was part of a political action committee supporting Baller’s opponents that was funded by Jewish Birmingham residents.

David In the same email, Bloom Baller hints that the Jewish residents used their wealth to influence the Nov. 2 election. “He said that two families pumped this money into my campaign and into Andrew Haig’s campaign,” Bloom explains. “He said that they were buying the ponies and we were going to be doing their bidding.”

Baller also hinted at a political agenda, Bloom continues. “He suggested that perhaps these families were donating to the political action committee that was backing us as well.”

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

COMMISSIONER BALLER’S RESPONSE Following the complaint, the issue was referred to Birmingham’s Board of Ethics to review both the letter from the ADL and Baller’s email. Though Baller has not yet issued a formal apology, he responded with email blasts earlier this month defending his earlier email as purely political.

In his email, Baller wrote that he doesn’t have “an antisemitic bone in his body,” sharing that his father and ex-wife were both of the Jewish faith. He also insinuated that the ADL’s complaint further proved a political agenda influenced by wealthy donors.

“The ADL letter is born out of a politically motivated desire to continue the pre-election deceptions, misinformation and fear-mongering of a political faction clawing for traction and relevance,” Baller wrote in the latest email blasts.

Bloom says he’s been contacted by a myriad of people concerned about the antisemitic and offensive undertones of Baller’s comments. “I had people that were Christian contact me and think this was antisemitic,” he says.

This isn’t Baller’s first controversial move. His statements in previous elections against those he wanted to see out of the race led to the city’s Board of Ethics requiring him to add a disclaimer on his emails that states he’s expressing his own personal opinions, rather than official statements on behalf of the City Commission.

Bloom says Baller has an extensive email list of Birmingham residents that he believes numbers in the thousands, meaning his comments have high visibility in a community with a large

Jewish population. While emails are sent out with a disclaimer that the words and statements are his opinion only, they come from Baller’s commissioner title, which adds to the controversy.

Though Baller’s actions have left some in the Jewish community upset and frustrated, Bloom says others continue to view the moves as entirely political.

“When you use the word cabal, when you say that a city commissioner is a marionette of a cabal and there’s wealthy Jewish financing involved … to me and to a lot of other people, it looks antisemitic,” Bloom explains, “but there are other people saying it’s [only] political.”

Michigan’s ADL chapter, however, argues that Baller’s statements qualify as antisemitic speech. “Using expressions like ‘willing marionette’ and ‘this cabal,’ as well as calling out members of the Jewish community accusing them of using wealth and ‘buying the ponies,’ are common anti-Jewish themes that promote hatred of the Jewish community,” said ADL Michigan regional director Carolyn Normandin in her complaint letter regarding Baller.

Yet for Bloom and others who believe Baller’s agenda played on antisemitic themes, it’s the combination of Carolyn Normandin statements that made the messaging so upsetting.

“He created a cocktail by using the word cabal, buying the ponies and influencing people,” Bloom says. “There are some people who say that’s not antisemitic, but the Anti-Defamation League looked at that and they had a number of people who contacted them [about it].”

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ZOA-Michigan Region is proud to present awards of merit to distinguished community members at this year’s ZOA Annual Gala.

We will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Drs. Harris and Phoebe Mainster, and the Jabotinsky Award to Dr. Charles Greenberg.

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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PHOTO CREDIT

OUR COMMUNITY

TMA students take the “anti-bullying pledge.”

Anti-Bullying Crusader Through martial arts, Matt Sikora helps kids take a stance against bullying.

M

artial arts can help teach youth how to defend themselves against bullying. They improve self-esteem, learn discipline and build physical strength, among other traits, while practicing the sport in a safe and supportive environment.

“I love to see the brand of confidence that it gives somebody,” says Matt Sikora, owner and founder of West Bloomfield’s True Martial Arts, which offers regular anti-bullying programming.

“They can walk with their head held up high that they are confident and that if anything were to happen to them, they could defend themselves.”

Teaching kids how to be

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

mentally and physically resilient, especially against bullying, has long been a building block of the Jewish-owned martial arts school, which teaches everything from karate to Krav Maga, a form of self-defense developed by the Israeli Defense Forces.

With more than 300 members, True Martial Arts, opened in 2009, sees people signing up as young as age 4 to adults in their 50s and 60s. “We provide great self-defense training and character building-type training,” Sikora, 35, of Birmingham, says. “Martial arts is very autonomous.”

People sign up for the sport for a variety of reasons, he explains, from parents want-

ing their children to build confidence to kids struggling with discipline or behavioral issues who need extra support.

Others simply do it for fun and socialization, or for the physical health benefits.

MARTIAL ARTS AND ANTIBULLYING EFFORTS Sikora, like many other youth who gravitate toward the sport at a young age, has been practicing martial arts since he was 5. “I grew up as a very serious martial artist,” he says. After receiving a business degree from Michigan State University, he decided to follow his passion by opening True Martial Arts as a place to teach the ancient practice to others in the com-

munity.

In his more than 10 years of teaching martial arts, Sikora has noticed firsthand the impact the sport has on people, especially on youth who may be experiencing bullying directly or indirectly.

“I really fell in love with martial arts,” he says, “and then later really fell in love with the results that we’re seeing in our students and the impact that we’re making.”

Multiple parents have come forward, he says, explaining that martial arts have helped their children navigate bullying. While self-defense should always be used as a last resort, Sikora explains that by practicing the sport, youth gain

Matt Sikora talks to students about bullying.

enough confidence to simply use their voices.

Using their voice is part of an “anti-bullying pledge” that True Martial Arts encourages students to take as an effort to prevent and reduce bullying. The pledge includes promising not to display bullying behaviors, while also making a commitment to stand up if it happens

to others.

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO As part of the international organization Martial Artists Against Bullying, which aims to raise awareness for bullying worldwide, True Martial Arts has woven anti-bullying messaging and techniques into their

everyday programming.

“Our focus is to make a cultural shift in the way that people think about bullying and to make sure that kids understand it’s not cool,” Sikora says. “It’s OK to report it when you see it happening.”

By role-playing common bullying scenarios, True Martial Arts practices “five rules of personal safety” within their anti-bullying curriculum. The rules include: use your mind, use your words, use your legs, ask for help and defend yourself.

“Hopefully, it never ends with self-defense,” Sikora explains, “but they can step into the situation with the confidence that if it were to go in that direction, that they have tools to protect themselves.”

True Martial Arts hosted a “Buddies Against Bullying” class on Oct. 30 as part of Bullying

Prevention Month. There, youth learned how to overcome harassment, defuse situations and defend themselves, if necessary.

Yet the event is just one of many efforts put on by the martial arts school, which also partakes in speaking engagements, school assemblies and works with West Bloomfield’s Temple Shir Shalom, where Sikora belongs, to teach self-defense classes.

“Bullying often happens in the shadows,” he explains. “If students witness this happening, and the majority of people stand up and say something or don’t put up with that kind of behavior, then it’s less likely to happen.

“More kids will have each other’s backs,” he continues.

“And that’s what we really want people to take from the program.”

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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OUR COMMUNITY

A Hidden Treasure First-edition Eames Storage Unit, purchased for $100, sells for nearly $50,000 at auction.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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SH OP

PE

TO O

The Eames Storage Unit

“When we first saw the cabinet, it looked so new,” says Deborah Slobin, co-owner of Le Shoppe Too and the corresponding Le Shoppe Auction House, which she runs alongside fellow Jewish businesswomen Leslie Weisberg and Julie Sundberg. Together, they work with Terri Stearn of Detroit Fine Art Appraisals to appraise and sell iconic 20th-century furniture, artwork and estates.

“It was so prestigious and in such great condition,” Slobin, 56, of Farmington Hills and a volunteer for the Shoah Foundation, explains of the cabinet. “For things that are that old, they usually have some wearand-tear, but this thing looked like it was right off of the showroom floor.”

LE

W

hen the Allen family reached out to upscale consignment shop Le Shoppe Too with a handful of pictures of furniture pieces that were purchased in the 1950s, neither the Allens nor the partners of the Keego Harbor-based business knew the rarity of one particular item in their possession.

Sitting at the home of 98-year-old Franklin resident Nancy Allen was a first-edition Eames Storage Unit, which her late husband, Maurice, bought for $100 nearly 70 years ago. Still in near-perfect condition, the storage unit, created post-World War II by influential American designers Charles and Ray Eames, was one of only four or five left in existence.

Made of plastic-coated plywood, enameled masonite and steel framing, these extraordinarily rare storage units were marketed by Herman Miller furniture company in 1950, just before then-newlyweds Maurice and Nancy Allen discovered one while shopping for apartment furniture.

A SURPRISING DISCOVERY The Eames Storage Unit was a cherished family possession that the Allens took good care of over the years. Children weren’t allowed to touch it, and it was kept in excellent shape since its 1950s purchase. “The family loved the piece,” Slobin says.

Yet neither the Le Shoppe Too partners nor the Allen family knew how much the heirloom was actually worth. In doing research and reaching out to other experts in the field, Slobin determined the piece was,

LE SHOPPE TOO

in fact, a first-edition Eames creation.

Through Le Shoppe Auction House, a branch of Le Shoppe Too that appraises and sells pieces that people bring to them, Slobin and her colleagues set aside a reserve of $15,000 to begin auctioning the Eames Storage Unit.

“Right away, it started bidding up and bidding up,” Slobin recalls. “We knew this was really special, really rare and needed to go to the right home.”

Rather than sending the cabinet straight to retail, Slobin advised the Allen family it would go for more money in an auction. As bids opened — jumping from $25,000, to $35,000, to finally selling for $48,000 to a private institution — the Eames Storage Unit sold for more than triple its reserve.

“We were not surprised. We were shocked,” Slobin says. “The family was [also] in complete

shock. When I told Nancy Allen, she fell back in her chair in sheer delight and awe.”

HIDDEN HEIRLOOMS ARE EVERYWHERE Allen initially wondered who would be willing to spend $15,000 or more on a cabinet her husband bought for just $100 in the 1950s, Slobin recalls. Yet upon receiving the good news, Allen exclaimed that her late partner would be proud to see how much it sold for and that it would go to a good home at an institution planning to make the piece available to the public.

Stearn says this sale set a world record for the most money ever paid for an original Eames Storage Unit at a public auction.

“We were blown away,” Slobin adds. “We didn’t expect that.”

Their advice: Don’t throw away items you find in grand-

Terri Stearn, Leslie Weisberg, Julie Sundberg and Deborah Slobin

ma’s attic. “If people don’t want to donate, they’ll bring it here to make sure it’s not worth anything,” Stearn explains. “Then we can tell them, ‘OK, this is nothing’ or ‘this is a really good piece, and it can probably sell for $10,000.’”

Le Shoppe Auction House’s next auction will take place on Sunday, Dec. 5. Rare items up for grabs will include a War

Pony sculpture by prominent Native American painter and modernist sculptor Allan Houser, among others.

Yet whether or not another first-edition Eames piece will come their way is impossible to predict.

“These pieces are very in-demand,” Slobin says.

“They’re the hot buzzword for collectors.”

STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISION TDS METROCOM, LLC’S NOTICE OF DISCONTINUANCE OF BASIC LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE TDS Metrocom, LLC (“TDS”) is providing notice that on or after March 23, 2022, TDS will discontinue Internet and basic local exchange phone service in the Ann Arbor, Detroit Zone 5, Farmington, Livonia, Northville, Plymouth, Romulus, Southfield, Wayne, and Ypsilanti Michigan exchange areas. Impacted customers will receive a letter, including the date their service is being discontinued and a listing of other area service providers to consider for future service. These customers will need to select a new provider as soon as possible, to avoid an interruption in service. TDS will discontinue service on or after March 23, 2022. TDS has made an initial filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission regarding this discontinuance of service. Affected customers may file comments in this docket requesting that the Michigan Public Service Commission investigate the availability of alternate providers with reliable access to 911.

For additional residential support, dial 877-638-6726. For business support, contact deb.nordman@tdsmetro.com or dial 1-855-837-2455 to reach TDS Customer Support.

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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SPORTS

All By Himself Frankel Jewish Academy cross country runner Merrick Michaelson runs alone at the state meet.

STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

H

undreds of cross country runners competed earlier this month in the Michigan High School Athletic Association state meet at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

None did what Merrick Michaelson did.

The Frankel Jewish Academy junior from Farmington Hills ran the challenging MIS course all by himself Friday, Nov. 5, one day before the actual meet Saturday, Nov. 6, because FJA student-athletes can’t compete on Shabbat.

That was an accommoda-

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tion worked out between FJA and MHSAA officials.

Running solo is something that had never been done in the nearly 100-year history of the cross country state meet.

The novelty didn’t go unnoticed.

Runners from teams that were getting a workout on the course cheered Michaelson — even chanting his name — as word spread of what was happening.

They added to a cheering section that already included Michaelson family members, FJA officials and his coaches.

FJA Athletic Director Rick Dorn was in the lead vehi-

RICK DORN

Frankel Jewish Academy runner Merrick Michaelson finishes his solo journey on the cross country course at Michigan International Speedway at the state meet as he heads down the home stretch.

cle with a race official while Michaelson ran on the sunny afternoon with light winds.

“I thought Merrick was spectacular,” Dorn said.

FJA cross country coach Andy Picard agreed.

“Merrick did very well given the circumstances,” he said.

As for Michaelson, he said running by himself was difficult, and he didn’t get the time he wanted.

“But it was worth it,” he said.

Michaelson’s time of 18:16.81 placed him 95th among 248 runners in the Division 4 boys race, although he was not listed on the MHSAA website as of last week.

Dorn said he’s trying to get that mistake corrected.

“I wanted to break 18 minutes,” Michaelson said.

“Perhaps I had too high expectations.

“With nobody running in front of me, there was no one to pace myself with, and nobody to pass,” he said.

“Everything was self-motivation.”

Picard said Michaelson’s biggest challenge running by himself was a lack of competition.

“Keeping up his race pace with nobody else to run with was hard,” he said. “Merrick feeds off having others there to race.

“Also, MIS is a difficult course, especially the last mile (of the 3.1-mile course).”

Michaelson began running at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 so he wouldn’t miss too much school time that day, and get back home in time for Shabbat.

He qualified for the state meet while running as an indi-

vidual in a regional meet Oct. 29 at Happy Acres Farm, a working farm in Webberville.

He ran a personal-best 17:47.30 at the regional and finished ninth overall in the race. He was among the top 15 runners who were not on state meet qualifying teams, which earned him a spot in the state meet.

FJA teammate Noam Goal also ran as an individual at the regional. He finished 39th overall in 19:58.52.

This was the second time Michaelson qualified for the state meet as an individual. He ran with Division 2 runners last year at MIS when the meet was split into two days because of COVID-19 restrictions.

He was clocked in 18:08.

He’s the first and only FJA cross country runner to qualify for the state meet.

The school has had a cross country program for more than 10 years. This was Picard’s fourth year as coach.

Michaelson was an FJA boys cross country team captain this season even though he wasn’t a senior.

“Merrick has been a leader on the team through his performance and attitude ever since he was a freshman,” Picard said. “He’s motivated, leads by example, always gives a maximum effort during practice and supports his teammates.

“It’s difficult to think of anyone who is more deserving than Merrick to be the first FJA cross country runner to compete in the state meet.”

Michaelson also plays basketball and baseball for FJA. Please send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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faces&places

Kadima Fundraiser a Rooftop Success More than 150 friends and supporters of Kadima’s arts program, Creative Expressions, gathered on Sept. 19 for the annual Frame of Mind Arts Benefit and Showcase on the rooftop of the Detroit Opera House.

The event combined fine, literary and performing arts. A gallery-like art display featured member paintings, drawings, photography and literary works, including a comic book.

Member-led entertainment included an interactive drum circle and drum duets, along with a musical performance with DSO musicians and a singer who had worked under

the tutorage of Michigan Opera Theatre professionals.

Frame of Mind raised $85,000 to support Creative Expressions, which provides therapeutic, educational and experiential creative arts programming for adults living with mental health challenges.

The event chairs were Barbara and Michael Kratchman, who planned the event along with a 10-member volunteer Frame of Mind Committee and Kadima staff.

Frame of Mind Committee Members: Janet Aronoff, Gail Katz, Barbara Kratchman (chair), Barbara Heller, Donna Pearlman, Barbara Eisenberg, Bluma Schechter and Phyllis Schwartz.

Guests participating in the interactive drum circle.

Learn more about the Kadima Creative Expressions Program at www.kadimacenter.org/services/ creative-expres sions-program.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KADIMA

Frame of Mind Event Chairs Michael and Barbara Kratchman (left) along with other guests enjoying the live performances.

Creative Expressions musicians, Joel K and David R, playing a duet during a live performance with DSO musicians.

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Guests Lita Zemmol of Beverly Hills and Gary Eisenberg of Bloomfield Hills admire Creative Expressions member artwork for sale.

Sara Kravitz looks through a telescope at the planet Jupiter

Temple Kol Ami members Paul Gross and Craig Organ with their telescopes

Temple Kol Ami’s Astronomy Havdalah a Huge Success

H

avdalah cannot begin until the three brightest stars in the sky can be seen,” said Rabbi Brent Gutmann as he kicked off Temple Kol Ami’s Astronomy Havdalah. “Can any of you see three stars yet?”

Yes, three “stars” could indeed be seen in the fading twilight, but they were actually the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. “Good enough!” declared Rabbi Gutmann and, with that, Havdalah began.

Kol Ami members Craig Organ and Paul Gross then invited the congregation to look through their telescopes

at the planets. Many had never looked through a telescope before and were amazed by being able to see Jupiter’s four biggest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Meanwhile, others took turns looking at stunning Saturn and its rings and the planet Venus through Organ’s telescope.

Experiential Judaism like this is at the core of what Kol Ami does, and the West Bloomfield synagogue’s Astronomy Havdalah was a huge hit with the congregation. In particular, the fun event added very special meaning to Havdalah for the children who participated.

Moon Pies were a popular treat at Temple Kol Ami’s Astronomy Havdalah

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEMPLE KOL AMI

Daria Gutmann looks through a telescope at the planet Jupiter

Once three stars became visible, Havdalah began at Temple Kol Ami’s Astronomy Havdalah NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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MAZEL TOV! Emily Jane Rosenberg, daughter of Beth and Brad Rosenberg, will lead services and become a bat mitzvah at Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Emily will be joined by brother Ian and proud grandparents Mardi and David Rosenberg of Las Vegas, Nev., and Kay and Bob Weprin of Toledo, Ohio.

Emily is a seventh-grader at Cranbrook Kingswood girls’ middle school in Bloomfield Hills. Her mitzvah project was making and donating blankets and other needed supplies to a homeless shelter in Wayne County.

Ari Benjamin Salama will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. Participating in the ceremony will be parents, Rebecca Abel and Joe Buick, Dr. David and Pauline Salama; and brothers Elliot and Oliver. Proud grandparents are Dr. Joseph and Rita Salama of Farmington Hills, and Dr. Ernest and Barbara Abel of West Bloomfield.

Ari is a student at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington Hills.

Danto 90th

R

uthye Danto turned 90 on Nov. 17, 2021. She is the daughter of the late Sarah and Harry Friedberg and sister of the late Lloo Seidman. Ruthye is married to Charles Danto, 90; together they have four children, Irwin (Karen) Danto, Beth (Bob) Borson, Debby Farber and Jay (Debbie) Danto. Their grandchildren are Lauren (Steven) Bloom, Lindsey (Joe) Hill, Joel (Devonie) Danto, Adam Borson, Harris Farber, Josh (Jenna) Borson, Ashley (Nathan) Silverman, Samantha and Jilian Danto. Great-grandchildren are Parker and Asher Bloom, Lucas, Jackson, Aiden and Grace Hill, Ava and Levi Borson, Ezra Danto, and Eden and Isla Silverman. They celebrated at a family brunch.

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Sophia Hannah Snyder, daughter of Hayley and Mark Snyder, will lead the congregation in prayer as she becomes a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. She is the grandchild of Francie and Gary Snyder, Paul Alekman and the late Ann Alekman.

She will be joined in celebration by her sister Leila Snyder.

Sophia is a student at West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills. For her mitzvah project, she made cookies to sell; she donated all profits to the American Cancer Society.

Ari Jakob Wolfe will read from the Torah as he becomes a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, Nov 27, 2021. He will be joined in celebration by his proud parents, Sarah and Todd Wolfe, and sister Micole. Ari is the grandchild of Laurie and Howard Novetsky, and the late Avis and Harold Wolfe.

He attends West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills. As part of his mitzvah project, Ari ran a shoe drive through the Soles4Souls organization, which helps provide relief, creates jobs and empowers people to break the cycle of poverty.

He found this experience to be very meaningful.

Harwood-Zamanigian

J

effrey and Debbie Harwood of Oak Park are delighted to announce the engagement of their daughter Erin Lindsay to Drew Garen, son of Dr. Gary and Maryann Zamanigian of Bloomfield Hills.

Erin earned her bachelor of science in psychology from Wayne State University and is working as a law clerk for a bankruptcy law firm in Southfield.

Drew earned his bachelor of arts in sociology from Madonna and his master’s in clinical psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is a business analyst at a subrogation firm in Bloomfield Hills.

Erin is the granddaughter of the late Marilyn and Bernie Harwood, and the late Elayne Harelik. Drew is the grandson of Jean and the late Zory Sarkisian, and the late Leo and Victoria Zamanigian.

A July wedding is planned.

SPIRIT

TORAH PORTION

The Vacuum

H

ave you ever known that feeling of gloomy emptiness? A sense that there is nothing good in your life and, therefore, everything is terrible?

In this week’s Torah portion, we read the tragic story of Yosef sold into slavery by his brothers. Before selling him to passing merchants, the brothers had thrown him into a pit at the side of the road. Regarding this pit, the verse says, “The pit was empty; there was no water in it.”

The Talmud asks, “Since it says: ‘The pit was empty,’ do I not know that there was no water in it? For what purpose did the Torah write, ‘there was no water in it’? [To inform us

that] there was no water in we can be certain that this void it, but there were snakes and will be filled with “snakes and scorpions in it.” When the pit scorpions.” Negativity will ceris void of water, it is tainly seep in and present inevitable that dangera clear and present danger ous creatures fill in that to living a good and fulvacuum. filling life. On the other The same is true in hand, if we seek to drive our lives. The Torah is away the pain and neganot just a book of histo- Rabbi Benny tivity we face, the answer Greenwald ry or stories. Each inciis to find within ourselves a source of light and the dent we read, and all its Parshat darkness will vanish. details, provide a clear Vayeshev: Jewish philosophers and powerful message Genesis 37:1explain that darkness does in our daily lives. This 40:23; Amos not really exist; it is simply verse and the Talmud’s 2:6-3:8. the lack of light that gives interpretation teach us the perception of dark. a life-altering lesson.

When our lives lack the life-giv- Therefore, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe often taught, one small ing “water,” when we allow ourselves to be empty of Torah, candle has the power to dispel great darkness. godliness and spirituality, then

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On Sunday night, we will begin the celebration of Chanukah by kindling the first candle of the menorah. In addition to the menorahs we light in our homes, we also light the menorah publicly to spread the light of Chanukah beyond the reach of our homes.

When we look out to the world or into our souls and find that it is dark, we must recognize that what we face is a void, one that we can fill with positivity. Our job is to increase light.

May we all have an illuminated Shabbat and happy Chanukah!

Rabbi Benny Greenwald is the director of the Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House.

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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SPIRIT

A WORD OF TORAH

Chanukah: The Multiplier Effect

— The Power of the Jewish People

O

ne of the great unheralded heroes of the Holocaust was Rabbi Avraham Grodzinsky, the spiritual leader of the Kovno ghetto.

Until the outbreak of the war, he had been the Rosh Yeshiva of the famed Slabodka Yeshiva and was one of the leading sages of his generation. He had entered the yeshiva at the age of 17, and, under the tutelage of the legendary Chief Rabbi Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Warren the “Alter of Slabodka,” Goldstein devoted himself to both intense Torah learning and equally intense character refinement.

Later, amid the horrors of the Kovno Ghetto, people would attest to the open, friendly countenance Rabbi Grodzinsky carried at all times, perfecting the trait of “receiving every person with a friendly face” (Pirkei Avot, 1:15), which was a source of hope and great comfort to all those who encountered him.

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In the years of the ghetto, when the situation was most dire, he formed a group of 10 of his former students from the Slabodka Yeshiva, who would meet every Shabbos to discuss what spiritual and physical actions they could do to improve the plight of those around them. This eternal optimism in the face of hopeless odds — this faith in the power of the few — is an idea that goes right to the heart of Chanukah.

Actually, Rabbi Grodzinsky took his initial inspiration from an earlier source than the Maccabees. In the Torah portion a few weeks ago, we read of Abraham’s tireless negotiations with God to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. After a few rounds of negotiation, God eventually agrees to save the cities if 10 righteous people can be found within them. From here, the Talmud learns the foundational spiritual principle that 10 righteous people can have a decisive impact on an otherwise hopeless situation (Sanhedrin 99b). The

Talmud goes even further, stating that a person who doesn’t believe in the power of 10 righteous people to save the world is guilty of heresy. In other words, the belief in the power of even a small group of people to change the world and overturn the natural order of things is no less than a fundamental principle of Jewish faith.

POWER OF THE FEW We see a powerful illustration of this principle in the story of Chanukah.

The mighty Greek empire that had conquered most of the known world at the time had invaded the land of Israel and was pursuing a relentless campaign to remove all vestiges of Torah living from society. The situation seemed hopeless. There were many Jews at the time who were abandoning their faith due to both the existential threat and the enticements of Greek society. It was at this point that a small group of people banded together — Matisyahu

and his brothers — to try and do something about the situation. What began simply as an act of defiance became a miraculous military defeat of the mighty Greek army, allowing the Jewish people to reclaim the land, reclaim the Torah and reclaim the Holy Temple.

More than 2,000 years later, in the depths of the Holocaust, Rabbi Grodzinksy drew on the Maccabees’ example, recruiting 10 righteous men of his own to bring hope and strength to the inhabitants of the ghetto, and spreading light in a time of unimaginable darkness.

The prayer we read describing the great miracles of Chanukah describes how God delivered “the many into the hands of the few,” And, indeed, the smallness of the Jewish people and our outsized impact on the world is the story of Jewish history. As the Torah says: “Not because you are the most numerous of the nations did God want you and chose you — for you are the fewest among the nations.” (Devarim 7:7) Why is that? Why is it that the Jewish people, so small in number, are able to have this seismic effect on the world?

Part of the reason is that we, the Jewish people, are a living testimony to a fundamental truth about the nature of reality — that the physical world is just a smokescreen for a deeper spiritual reality. Overcoming the odds, subverting the natural order of things, testifies to the primacy of the world of spirituality over the world of materialism, to the fact that God — who is the Creator of all matter and the source of everything — is the One in control.

THE CHANUKAH MIRACLE So, what we see in the story of Chanukah, and in many other instances in which the Jewish people have defied their small numbers, is how the impact of the few is multiplied through God’s intervention, defying all rational predictions and overturning empirical reality as we know it. This idea is symbolized by the defining miracle of Chanukah — the small jar

of halachically pure oil the Maccabees found when they recaptured the Temple, which burned for eight days when it should have burned for one. This is why we celebrate Chanukah by lighting candles for eight days.

Friends, why is this miracle so central to the festival? Surely the great military victory of the Maccabees over the mighty Greek empire was even more remarkable? The reason is that the miracle of the oil burning for longer than it was supposed to encapsulates all of the other miracles. It symbolizes this multiplier effect that we’ve been discussing — that through God’s direction, through the mysterious workings of a deeper, essential, spiritual realm, outcomes in the physical world can be amplified beyond their input.

And a small jar of oil that was meant to burn for a day can burn for eight.

Rabbi Aharon Kotler, the great Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood, points to the fact that it was the oil’s spiritual purity that imbued it with the miraculous power to burn for eight days, to transcend its physical limitations. Similarly, it was the righteousness and uprightness of the Maccabees that enabled them to defeat the great army of the Greeks. Both are small in physical quantity, but potent in spiritual quality.

And this is the great lesson of Chanukah for the Jewish people — that, irrespective of our numbers, if we remain upright and loyal to our Divine heritage, then we will always survive and thrive. Rabbi Kotler’s personal life story bears this out. One of those fortunate to escape Europe before the Holocaust swept everything away, he came to America and established a small yeshiva in Lakewood, New Jersey.

In the 1940s and 1950s, few people held much hope for the prospects of a classic Torah institution in the heart of the new world, yet, starting with a handful of students, and in defiance of all rational predictions, the yeshiva grew to become the largest center of Jewish learning in the Diaspora, with more than 6,500 students. He started small, battling the odds, but his vision had the power of purity behind it.

This message of the few over the many, of God’s multiplying effect of our actions, is the story of Jewish history.

Israel is such a small country, and yet its impact is so great, and wherever Jewish communities have found themselves, their impact on wider society has been out of all proportion to their small size.

But, the real secret ingredient to transcending physical inputs is spiritual purity. Purity is the yeast that makes our efforts rise up. It’s all about the purity of the oil, of the energy and intentionality we put into our work in this world.

Purity is about sincerity, about kindness, compassion and decency, about spirituality and faith in God, and dedication to His Will, His Torah. With this, we can truly achieve great things, supernatural things. We can go beyond the numbers.

This seminal message of Chanukah, this Heavenly multiplier effect, applies no less to our personal lives. A person may feel he will not be able to earn a living if he closes his business on Shabbos, but Chanukah teaches us that God can multiply all of the week’s work to more than make up for it. A person may feel that dedicating himself to absolutely scrupulous business ethics may cost him money, but ultimately, God has the power to bless all of our efforts and to multiply them. The same goes for tzedakah — charity — for which the Torah itself promises multiplied returns.

On Chanukah, a small group of righteous people made a big difference, overcoming a mighty force. If good people with pure hearts and sincere intentions band together, even in small numbers, they can bring light and blessing into the world. God’s blessings can multiply the effect of the limited physical world like that small jar of oil that burned for so much longer, thereby spreading so much light in the world. This is the message of hope and optimism of Chanukah.

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, who has a Ph.D. in Human Rights Law, is the chief rabbi of South Africa.

This article first appeared on aish.com.

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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SPIRIT

Synagogue Directory CONSERVATIVE Adat Shalom Synagogue Farmington Hills (248) 851-5100 adatshalom.org

Temple B’nai Shalom Benton Harbor (269) 925-8021 tbnaishalom.org

Ahavas Israel Grand Rapids (616) 949-2840 ahavasisraelgr.org

INDEPENDENT Grosse Pointe Jewish Council Grosse Pointe Woods (313) 882-6700 thegpjc.com

Congregation Beth Ahm West Bloomfield (248) 851-6880 cbahm.org Congregation Beth Israel Flint (810) 732-6310 cbiflint.org Congregation Beth Shalom Oak Park (248) 547-7970 congbethshalom.org Beth Tephilath Moses Mt. Clemens (586) 996-3138 bethtephilathmoses.com B’nai Israel Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 432-2729 bnaiisraelwb.org Congregation B’nai Moshe West Bloomfield (248) 788-0600 bnaimoshe.org Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue Detroit (313) 962-4047 downtownsynagogue.org Congregation of Moses Kalamazoo congregationofmoses.org Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield (248) 357-5544 shaareyzedek.org

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

Kehillat Hatzhav Hagadol Mackinac Island (906) 202-9959 mackinacsynagogue.org

Beth Tefilo Emanuel Tikvah Southfield (248) 559-5022 Birmingham-Bloomfield Shul Birmingham (248) 996-5818 bbchai.org B’nai Israel-Beth Yehudah Oak Park (248) 967-3969 bi-by.org B’nai Zion Oak Park (248) 968-2414

ORTHODOX Agudas Israel Mogen Abraham Southfield (248) 552-5711 aymadetroit.org

Chabad House-Lubavitch of Eastern Michigan Flint (810) 230-0770 chabad.org

Ahavas Olam Southfield (248) 569-1821 Ahavasolam.com

Chabad Jewish Center of Commerce-Walled Lake Commerce Township (248) 363-3644 jewishcommerce.org

Ahavas Yisroel Oak Park (248) 298-2896 Learntorah.info Aish Hatorah in the Woods Oak Park (248) 327-3579 Aishdetroit.com Bais Chabad of Farmington Hills (248) 855-2910 chabad.org Bais Chabad of North Oak Park (248) 872-8878 chabad.org Bais Haknesses Hagrah Oak Park (248) 542-8737 Balfour Shul – K’Hal Rina U’Tefila Oak Park (732) 693-8457

Chabad Jewish Center of Novi-Northville (248) 790-6075 novijewishcenter.com Chabad Jewish Center of Troy Troy/Rochester Hills (248) 873-5851 jewishtroy.com Chabad-Lubavitch of Bingham Farms Bloomfield Hills (248) 688-6796 chabadbinghamfarms.com

Etz Chayim of Toledo Toledo, OH (419) 473-2401 Etzchayimtoledo.org First Hebrew Congregation South Haven (269) 637-1603 firsthebrewcongregation.org Kehillat Etz Chayim Huntington Woods etzchayim-detroit.org Kollel Institute of Greater Detroit Oak Park (248) 968-1891 kollel@kolleldetroit.org Mishkan Israel, Nusach H’ari, Lubavitch Center Oak Park (248) 542-4844 theyeshiva.org Ohel Moed Shomrey Emunah West Bloomfield (248) 737-2626 ohelmoed.org Or Chadash Oak Park (248) 819-1721 or-chadash.org Sara & Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield (248) 855-6170 baischabad.com Shaar Hashomayim Windsor (519) 256-3123

Chabad of Western Michigan Grand Rapids (616) 957-0770 chabadwestmichigan.com

Shaarey Zedek Windsor (519) 252-1594 shaareyzedekwindsor.com

Dovid Ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh Oak Park (313) 320-9400 dbndetroit.org

Shomer Israel Oak Park (248) 542-4014 godaven.com

Shomrey Emunah Southfield (248) 559-1533 congregation-shomreyemunah-105705.square.site The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.net Woodward Avenue Shul Royal Oak (248) 414-7485 thewas.net

Congregation Beth El Windsor (519) 969-2422 bethelwindsor.ca

Temple Emanu-El Oak Park (248) 967-4020 emanuel-mich.org

Temple Beth El Battle Creek (269) 963-4921

Temple Israel West Bloomfield (248) 661-5700 temple-israel.org

Temple Beth El Bloomfield Township (248) 851-1100 tbeonline.org

Temple Jacob Hancock templejacobhancock.org

Temple Beth El Flint (810) 720-9494 tbeflint@gmail.com

Temple Kol Ami West Bloomfield (248) 661-0040 tkolami.org

Temple Beth El Midland (989) 496-3720 tbe_midland@yahoo.com

Congregation Shaarey Zedek East Lansing (517) 351-3570 shaareyzedek.com

Young Israel of Southfield (248) 358-0154 yisouthfield.org

Temple Beth Israel Bay City (989) 893-7811 tbi-mich.org

Temple Shir Shalom West Bloomfield (248) 737-8700 shirshalom.org

RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Kehillat Israel Lansing (517) 882-0049 kehillatisrael.net

Temple Beth Israel Jackson (517) 784-3862 tbijackson.org

Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org

Congregation T’chiyah Ferndale (248) 823-7115 tchiyah.org Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit (313) 567-0306 reconstructingjudiasm.org REFORM Bet Chaverim Canton (734) 480-8880 betchaverim@yahoo.com Temple Benjamin Mt. Pleasant (989) 773-5086 templebenjamin.com

Congregation Beth Shalom Traverse City 231-946-1913 beth-shalom-tc.org Temple Beth Sholom Marquette tbsmqt.org Temple B’nai Israel Kalamazoo (269) 342-9170 Templebnaiisrael.com Temple B’nai Israel Petoskey (231) 489-8269 templebnaiisraelofpetoskey.org Temple Emanuel Grand Rapids (616) 459-5976 grtemple.org

REFORM/RENEWAL Congregation Shir Tikvah Troy (248) 649-4418 shirtikvah.org SECULAR/HUMANISTIC Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 chj-detroit.org Sholem Aleichem Institute Lathrup Village (240 865-0117 secularsaimichigan.org SEPHARDIC Keter Torah Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 681-3665 rabbisasson.wixsite.com/keter

Ohr Hatorah Oak Park (248) 294-0613 Ohrhatorah.us MINYANS Fleischman Residence West Bloomfield (248) 661-2999 Yeshivat Akivah Southfield (248) 386-1625 farberhds.org

ANN ARBOR

CONSERVATIVE Beth Israel Congregation (734) 665-9897 @BethIsraelCongregation ORTHODOX Ann Arbor Chabad House (734) 995-3276 jewmich.com Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan annarborminyan.org RECONSTRUCTIONIST Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (734) 445-1910 aarecon.org REFORM Temple Beth Emeth (734) 665-4744 templebethemeth.org RENEWAL Pardes Hanah pardeshanah.org SECULAR HUMANISTIC Jewish Cultural Society (734) 975-9872 jewishculturalsociety.org Please email factual corrections or additional synagogues to list to: smanello@thejewishnews.com.

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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ARTS&LIFE EXHIBIT

The Music of Sound “THE GREAT ANIMAL ORCHESTRA,” ON EXHIBIT NOW, SHOWCASES THE SYMPHONY OF NATURE. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUC BOEGLY, BERNIE KRAUSE AND UNITED VISUAL ARTISTS

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B

ernie Krause developed an interest in music while growing up in northwest Detroit, and he pursued that interest through a stellar career as instrumentalist and sound designer.

In the 1960s, Krause performed with many celebrated artists, including Van Morrison, The Doors and The Weavers.

With music partner Paul Beaver, he introduced the Moog synthesizer to the pop scene and movies, enhancing more than 250 albums and 135 feature films, including Apocalypse Now and Performance.

Away from stage and studio, Krause ventured outdoors and tuned into the sounds of nature.

That sensibility led to the pioneering of an offshoot sound career that has brought him

international attention through recordings and artistic installations of what he has encountered.

To showcase a range of his recordings at distant locales — which have encompassed travel to the research sites of Jane Goodall in Tanzania and Dian Fossey in Rwanda — Krause’s efforts are being represented in an immersive exhibit, “The Great Animal Orchestra.”

On display Nov. 20-May 22 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., the exhibit presents specific soundscapes and associated spectrograms (graphic visualizations of what is heard). Each of seven stations communicates an environment he has recorded, now paired with spectrograms developed by United Visual Artists in London.

THE SOUNDS OF NATURE “For a long time, I’d wanted to create a statement celebrating my life’s work in the field of soundscape ecology (the study of sounds produced by all organisms in a given habitat, marine and/or terrestial),” said Krause, a graduate of Detroit’s Mumford High School and a history graduate of the University of Michigan.

“When expressed through the lens of science — like a scientific paper published in an obscure journal — perhaps a dozen or so colleagues will read it. If, however, I transform some of this data into works of fine art, it exponentially reaches larger numbers of people.”

Describing a favorite segment in the exhibit, Krause turns to the Yukon Delta, a location in continued on page 48

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

Bernie Krause NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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ARTS&LIFE EXHIBIT

Details

“The Great Animal Orchestra” is on display Nov. 20-May 22 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass. $12-$20. (866) 745-1976. pem.org. To access website videos, go to www.pem.org/ exhibitions/the-great-animalorchestra-bernie-krause-andunited-visual-artists.

Bernie Krause works in the fields to capture the sounds of nature. continued from page 46

western Alaska visited by millions of birds that migrate each spring to that biome from as far away as South Africa and New Zealand, a journey over vast expanses of land and water that covers 56,000 miles round trip.

“Bernie Krause’s work teaches us that each animal species possesses its own acoustic animal signature that, like a musical instrument in an orchestra, positions itself both with precision and subtlety within the score of the soundscape of the ecosystem in which it lives,” said Hervé Chandès, curator who worked on the exhibit introduced in France as commissioned by the Foundation

Cartier pour l’art contemporain.

Krause, who tells his story in a Ted Talk readily accessible on the web, has information available for those who can’t travel to the current display. There are relevant sites to Google and a readership opportunity through the book The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World’s Wild Places (Little, Brown).

A LIFETIME LOVE OF SOUND “I don’t see very well so my world has been informed more by what I hear,” Krause explained about his career origins. “I was fascinated with

The exhibits present specific soundscapes and associated spectrograms (graphic visualizations of what is heard).

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

the music guitars could produce and studied jazz with Joe Messina and classical with Joe Fava.”

In the transition to the sounds of nature, Krause produced more than 50 natural soundscape albums in addition to the design of interactive sound sculptures for respected presenters. Among the places showcasing his installations are the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Chicago Science Museum.

Part of bringing his work into the 21st century, Krause collaborated with Dr. Stuart Gage

at Michigan State University to introduce the soundscape ecology and the value of exploring natural soundscapes for the National Park Service.

“I love what I do, and I have found a way to share the love of that work with others,” said Krause, who grew up mostly terrified of animals because of allergies and a confrontation with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

“That said, I’ve been attacked by a polar bear when camping and recording bowhead whales on the shore of the Beaufort Sea early in my bioacoustic studies.

In the Amazon jungle late one night, I was stalked by a jaguar,

continued on page 50

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ARTS&LIFE EXHIBIT

continued from page 48

noted as being one of the most dangerous predators in that region.”

While his recordings have taken him into dangerous grounds, he and his wife, Katherine, endured the most frightening encounter with nature in 2017, when their California home of 25 years burned down among massive fires, destroying treasured possessions and biophonic attractions along their extended property.

While lamenting the loss of field journals, slides dating back a half-century and a Manouk Papazian guitar he played at Carnegie Hall among many other keepsakes, Krause is grateful that natural sound archives survive.

Over 50 years, he collected more than 5,000 hours of record-

ings of natural environments including at least 15,000 terrestrial and marine species from around the world.

“During our dicey pre-dawn flight, we came face-to-face with the malevolent eye of global heating and its horrific consequences as we bolted through the wall of fire that had enveloped our driveway — our sole one-way path to whatever life now remains to us,” said Krause, turning to new projects.

Readers can access his latest book, The Power of Tranquility in a Very Noisy World (Little, Brown), which addresses the issue of noise in complex surroundings — how noise affects health and well-being and what can be done to mitigate the problem.

Although Krause would like to visit Israel, the trip would be

more personal than professional.

“Most of Israel’s habitats have been so radically altered by human endeavor that I really can’t use the recordings for the focus of my work,” said the former Detroiter, whose outlook also applies across America.

“I need to work in older, more remote sites that express themselves as close to uncompro-

mised as possible.

“I think of natural soundscapes as narratives of place and time. There’s a divinity to those collective utterances that speaks to me of the values and wonders of the living world. Nothing, to me, takes precedence. The stories told to me through those utterances are my window into what is Divine in the universe.”

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ARTS&LIFE CELEBRITY NEWS

A TOUR OF L.A. IN 1973, LARSON’S KOSHERSTYLE BIO, MORE Licorice Pizza (opens Nov. 26) is a coming-of-age film directed and written by the “quirky” Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson is a big fan of the popular band “Haim” (three real-life Jewish sisters) and he cast Alana Haim, 29, in her first acting role. The movie takes place in the early 1970s and touches on a lot of iconic ’70s moments, especially those that took place in Los Angeles.

(Advance reviews are good).

Alana plays Alana Kane, a Jewish woman about 20 who works as a photographer’s assistant.

During a photo shoot at a high school, she meets Gary Valentine, a 16-yearold (non-Jewish) student.

Gary is played by Cooper Hoffman, who is also making his film debut. He is the son of the late actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Kane and Valentine become very good friends, but never quite have a physical relationship. Alana is well-aware of their age difference and Gary’s social awkwardness — but trumping all that is the simple fact that he is a good guy.

Alana and Gary have lots of ‘adventures’ that involve name-actors that Anderson got to appear (briefly) in his film. Here are a few adventures: They meet a famous actor, modeled on William Holden, who is played by Sean Penn,

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

61; they start a waterbed company, and a customer is Jon Peters, a (real) film producer who lived with Barbra Streisand in the early ’70s (Bradley Cooper plays Peters); they get involved in the real (1973) mayoralty candidacy of Joel Wachs, now 87.

Wachs is played by Benny Safdie, 37.

The large supporting cast includes Maya Rudolph, 49, Skyler Gisondo, 25, Destry Allyn Spielberg, 24, and Sasha Spielberg, 31 (Steven’s daughters). Alana’s real-life sisters and parents appear briefly as, respectively, Alana Kane’s sisters and parents.

LARSON’S BIOPIC The musical film Tick, Tick … Boom! had a very limited theater opening on Nov. 12 and began streaming on Netflix Nov. 19. I was going to wait until I saw it on the 19th before writing about it. Why? Because there is a long-standing real problem that’s getting worse in recent years. The problem is the erasure of the Jewish identity of biographical figures or the erasure of the Jewish background of a fictional print character when that character becomes a TV or movie character. I wanted to see if Tick Tick … Boom! was part of this trend.

A friend of mine was kind enough to tell me on Nov. 13 that he was reliably informed that Tick, Tick …

Boom! is another “erasure” case.

Tick Tick … Boom! is a biographical film directed

by Lin Manuel-Miranda.

It’s about Jewish composer Jonathan Larson, who died suddenly of a misdiagnosed heart condition in 1996, age 35. He died just before his most famous work, the musical Rent, was about to open.

In 1991, he wrote Tick Tick … Boom! an autobiographical “one-man” show. It has posthumously been re-worked/rewritten a number of times in stage productions with a much larger cast.

A writer for the Jewish website Alma differs with my friend. In a Nov. 15 article, he praised the film for having a heavily Jewish cast. He also was very happy that Larson (as the Tick character) makes two small Jewish references.

Frankly, I think that most non-Jews wouldn’t even notice or “get” these references (using the word kaddish and correcting, under his breath, the way that some non-Jews pronounced challah).

This all said, reviews for the film are mostly good.

Singled out for praise is Andrew Garfield, 38, who plays the Larson character. This is Garfield’s first musical and he really can sing. The Jewish members of the large cast include Joel Grey, 89 (as Jonathan’s father); Judith Light, 72, Noah Robbins, 31, and Ben Levi Ross, 23.

Also, composer Stephen Sondheim, now 91, a mentor of Larson, is a major

RAPH_PH – HAIMFOXPOMONA VIA WIKIMEDIA

NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

Alana Haim

character.

Larson grew-up in a pretty secular Jewish household. His paternal grandfather changed the family name from Lazarson to Larson. Right after Larson’s death, his father, Allan, told the NY Times that his son lived in a Lower East Side tenement as he struggled to write a hit show.

Allan said, “It was the kind of place my father, a Russian Jewish immigrant, probably lived in when he came here in 1900.”

Allan didn’t use cutesy Jewish clues like “challah” and “kaddish.” He said “Jewish.” Why bio-film writers don’t use that word is a discussion for another day.

Hawkeye, a Disney+ series, began streaming Nov. 24. It’s another entry in the “Marvel Universe” with a complex backstory.

Suffice it to say, the heroes are Clint Barton/AKA Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), a master archer, and his protégé, Kate Bishop, (also) AKA Hawkeye.

Hailee Steinfeld, 24, plays Bishop.

ON THE GO

PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

Moon, Brown Adult Day Program social worker, for Zoom link and information: 248-233-4392, dmoon@ jvshumanservices.org.

HAVDALAH EVENT 6 PM, NOV. 27 The Well is hosting at a location to be announced. It’s Thanksgiving weekend, erev Chanukah and Havdalah.

Commemorate with a night on the town, soaking up all the holiday spirit Detroit has to offer. Board The Well’s Thanksgivukkah Train (charter bus) and travel around the city, hitting all the essential stops: cocktails and appetizers, a private custom candle-making experience at Detroit Wick, ice skating at Campus Martius and the holiday markets in Cadillac Square. Due to the generosity of donors, subsidized tickets are available for $60 per person and include food and drinks, admission to the Campus Martius skating rink (plus skate rental) and a custom 6-oz. candle from Detroit Wick. Register: jlive.app/ events/1192.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP 5:30-6:30 PM, NOV. 29 Virtual caregiver support group is for individuals who are care partners for those living with cognitive changes including several types of dementia. Contact Dorothy

Aaron Bergman on Zoom to look at the story of Jews and fashion from what was called the shmata business through ready-to-wear and couture.

Some of their approaches have been unorthodox, but always intriguing. There is no fee to attend. To RSVP and receive a Zoom link, contact Kellie Yost, kyost@ adatshalom.org at (248) 8515100, ext. 246.

Steve Poltz com; facebook.com/ TheArkAnnArbor.

PHOTO STORIES 7-8:15, NOV. 30; DEC. 7, 14 Offered on ZOOM by JLearn of the JCC. “Detroit Through a Jewish Lens.” Instructor: Robbi Terman. Photographs can be overlooked as historical documents, but oftentimes they provide the only glimpse into people and their stories. Robbie Terman is the director of the Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. For tuition info and to register: 248-205-2557 or JLearn. online.

CHANUKAH LIGHTS! 6-7 PM, NOV. 30 Bring your flashlights to light up the sky! Bundle up to celebrate Chanukah outdoors at Temple Israel with blessings, songs and treats. Geared toward families with children 2-6 years old, though all are welcome. Questions?

Contact Natalie at 248-6615750.

JEWS & FASHION 7 PM, DEC. 1 Adat Shalom Synagogue invites you to join Rabbi

Annelise Heinz

AUTHOR SPEAKS 7 PM, DEC. 1 Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture is a book by Prof. Annelise Heinz. Her talk about it is sponsored on Zoom by the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan. Heinz is an assistant professor of history at the University of Oregon.

She has lived and played mahjong in the United States and southwestern China.

Cost: $10 for members; $18 for non-members. Register by 9 pm Tuesday, Nov. 30: info@michiganjewishhistory. org.

EVENING OF SONGS 8 PM, DEC. 2 The Ark in Ann Arbor will present Steve Poltz, a one-of-a-kind songwriter.

Tickets: $20. Info: poltz.

AMERICANA IN SONG 8 PM, DEC. 3 The Ark in Ann Arbor will present Arlo McKinley, singer-songwriter. Tickets: $20. Info: arlomckinley. com; facebook.com/ TheArkAnnArbor.

HOME TOUR 4 PM, DEC. 4 The Palmer Woods home tour will offer an unparalleled opportunity to view some of our most storied and stunning homes. The tour will be followed by a soirée at one of our largest and most resplendent homes — and one of the more modern homes built in Palmer Woods. Enjoy live music with the Alvin Waddles Trio with a mix of jazz, ragtime, holiday music and more.

Food will be prepared

by Chef Omar Mitchell, who recently opened his Imaginate restaurant in Royal Oak. There will be gourmet food as well as a plentiful selection of wine, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages.

Participants must be COVID19 vaccinated and COVID-19 protocols will be observed.

Tickets are $150 per person continued on page 54 NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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ON THE GO

Happy h a k u n a h C

PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

Happy

Thanksgiving

EIGHTH NIGHT DEC. 5, 4:30 PM continued from page 53

The shops at

and will be on sale at palmerwoods.org/eventscalendar/home-and-gardentours/2021holidayhometour.

Advance America ALDI Bling Bling Book Beat Church’s Chicken/White Castle Conservative Cuts Dollar Castle DTLR Dr. Lazar J Anthony Kroger Lee Beauty Supply McDonalds Metro PCS Metropolitan Dry Cleaners Mookey’s Beans & Greens Original Bread Basket Rainbow Street Corner Music Step In Style Suit Depot T Nails Top That

EIGHTH NIGHT 4:30 PM, DEC. 5 The community is invited to join an outdoor Chanukah celebration at Adat Shalom Synagogue. The festivities will include a photo booth (in an igloo), DJ Phreddy, a fire performance by Detroit Circus, fantastic activity stations brought to you by our community co-sponsors, and more. There will be a menorah lighting a 5:30 p.m. The celebration will conclude at 6 p.m. with a car parade to Jewish Senior Life in West Bloomfield to light the menorah there.

If inclement weather, this event will be indoors. Toys will be collected for the Bottomless Toy Chest if you would like to donate. $18 per car includes a large kosher pizza and donuts, hot chocolate and activities.

Advance registration required by Nov. 30 at adatshalom.org/chanukah.

Lincoln Shopping Center

Lincoln Shopping Center GREENFIELD and 10½ MILE 54

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

COOKIE WALK 12:30-2 PM, DEC. 12 The Temple Beth El Sisterhood is sponsoring this bake sale. Holiday cookies from Corner Shower & Laundry. Place an order now through Dec. 5: cornershowerandlaundry. com/cookie-walk. Cost: $5 per half dozen. Curbside pickup Dec. 12 at Temple Beth El. Info: Sue at 248214-3611 or mrssurplus@ sbcglobal.net.

JET PRODUCTION DEC. 9-JAN. 2 JET Theatre will present The Full Monty, the Broadway musical. Six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a male strip act at a local club. This comedy is for mature audiences. The New Year’s Eve bash after the late show on Dec. 31 is priced separately from the performance. Info: 248-7882900.

Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@ thejewishnews.com.

Free Webinar on the Resignation Economy JVS Human Services is offering a free webinar to Michiganders entitled, “The Road Ahead: The Resignation Economy – An Explanation,” which will be livestreamed on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.

The program is being offered as recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor announced that a record 4.3 million Americans, close to 3% of the entire workforce, quit their jobs in August.

Prior months had also shown high numbers of workers resigning. The webinar will be live streamed on the JVS Human Services Facebook page; no registration is necessary.

Career Counselor and Internship Employment Specialist at JVS Human Services, Gerard Baltrusaitis, and his colleague Elana Weinstein will be providing tips and resources for those considering resignation.

“People are stepping out of the industrial economy, where they felt it was the norm to feel bad about work but were compelled to stay in a job, into a new economy.

People are revitalized and now won’t stay in a job where they spend a third of their lives feeling miserable,” said Baltrusaitis.

However, he warns that it is a vital to have a roadmap if resignation is in your future. “There are a number of factors which you need to consider before taking this life-changing step,” said Baltrusaitis. “Evaluate what you bring to the table and look at your finances, but also recognize that we are in a nice position right now with employers offering increased salaries and incentives.”

JVS Human Services can also provide one-on-one career counseling to Metro Detroiters.

Contact employmenthelp@jvshumanservices.org for more information.

the exchange community bulletin board | professional services

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"Senior homecare service available day and night. Help with ADL, transportation, companionship, medication reminder etc with over 17 years experience with referrals. 24/7 services discounted” Call or text 248-277-5350 ANTIQUES WANTED. / BUYING / ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLESCOINS, STAMPS, WATCHES, CAMERASPlease Call (248) 259-8088 or Text (313)395-8599Website= a.airsite.coEmail= wevexgotxstuff@aol.com MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE MUDHEN SPORTS CARDS * huge inventory of HALL of FAMERS * PSA 7 and up * bday, bar mitzva, hanuka * Dixieland Flea Mkt, Waterford, SE corner Dixie Hwy/ Telegraph (tel.) 313-269-1336 Richard AUTOS- DOMESTIC/ IMPORTS CASH FOR VEHICLES any make or model Call Barry 248-865-2886 MISCELLANEOUS

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NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

SEYMOUR BORSEN, 94, of West Bloomfield, died Nov. 15, 2021.

He is survived by his son and daughterin-law, Alan and Stacey Borsen; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Jack Greenfield; grandchildren, Brandon Borsen, Brittany Borsen, Matthew (Sydney) Greenfield and Bryan Greenfield; sister-in-law, Janet Abramson Borson; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Mr. Borsen was the beloved husband of the late Marilyn “Cissy” Borsen; son of the late Morris and the late Gussie Borisoff; brother of the late Fred Borson, the late Frances Borson; and the brother-in-law of the late Eugene Cohen.

Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

CELIA JOYCE GENDLOFF, 64, of Novi, died Nov. 15, 2021.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jacalyn and Matthew Chivell; mother, Marilyn Shamie; brothers, Sam Shamie, Joe Shamie; many other loving family members and friends.

Celia was the daughter of the late Abraham Shamie; sister of the late Shirley Shamie.

Interment took place at United Hebrew Cemetery in Staten Island, N.Y. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

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24 Kislev Nov. 28 26 Kislev Nov. 30 Rachel Alperin Pauline Bell Hattie Buch Louis Ignatz Berger Josephine Gubin Anna Bunin Isadore Jacob Tillie Cohen Bernard Robert Katz Morris Feiner Esther Lachover Fleischman Atta Matz Carl J. Nelson Nina Greenberg Gustave Pines Mania Katzman 27 Kislev Dec. 1 Lewis L. Klein Rita Fromm Erika Morgenroth Marilyn Gvzda Agnes Sender Ida Katz Louis Stollman Rose Lifton Golda Weisswasser Samuel Oventhal May Zuckerberg Bettie Rothenberg Charles Smith 25 Kislev Nov. 29 Rose Tabock Benjamin Baum Beatrice Borocoff 28 Kislev Dec. 2 Moshe Alperin Philip A Diskin Max A. Bard Rose Ferber Allan E. Davis Belle Harris Saul Charles Dorfman Robert R. Marwil Steven Farkas Arthur J. Osborne Jacob Klainberg Sam Polinsky Harry Lafer Rebecca Pont Jack Osborne Samuel Schey Celia Ravin Meyer Watnick Sadie Rich Annette Schulman Dora Zelichman

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OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 57

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OBITUARIES

MARSHALL GREENSPAN, 89, of Bloomfield Township, died Nov. 14, 2021.

Mr. Greenspan popularized indoor tennis in Michigan when he and his partners built and operated five racquet clubs in the 1970s, including three in Southeast Michigan: Franklin Racquet Club, Square Lake Racquet Club and Centaur Farms Racquet Club. Prior to that, he was a single- and multi-family residential builder, including partnerships with his brother, Fred.

In 1974, Mr. Greenspan and a team of investors co-founded the Detroit Loves professional tennis team, a franchise of the World Team Tennis League.

In 1995, Mr. Greenspan built Oakland Yard Athletics in Waterford, with his sons, Marty and Harry, and Philip Douse. The business is still going strong today under the ownership of Marty and Philip.

After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Greenspan enjoyed continuing their world travels, eventually spending half the year in Naples, Fla., where they enjoyed the company of several friends from Metro Detroit and visits from their children and grandchildren.

For several years, Mr. Greenspan and his son Harry were regular volunteers at the Baldwin Center soup kitchen in Pontiac, where they prepped and served meals.

He is survived by his cherished wife of 62 years, Benita (Rovin) Greenspan; sons, Dr. Matthew Greenspan of Milan, Mich., Martin (Kim) Greenspan of West Bloomfield

and Harry Greenspan of Bloomfield Township; grandchildren, Sam (Emily) Greenspan, Julia RaspburyGreenspan, Sarah RaspburyGreenspan, Shayna RaspburyGreenspan, Rachel Greenspan and Claire Greenspan; great-grandchildren, Mya and Riley Greenspan; brotherin-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Ray and Rebecca Coleman of Potomac, Md.; sister-in-law, Elaine Greenspan of Franklin; several loving nieces and nephews.

Mr. Greenspan was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Sarah Greenspan; grandson, Maxwell Greenspan; and brother, Fred Greenspan.

The family wishes to thank Mr. Greenspan’s caregivers, Geri, Linda and Jovan Luckett, Patricia Rich and Agnes Pilecki for their years of support and friendship.

Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

JOSEPH GRINGLAS, former Detroiter of Philadelphia, Pa., beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died Nov. 8, 2021.

He was born Oct. 9, 1925, in Ostrowiec, Poland, the youngest of Lazar and Blima Gringlas’ six children.

He was a survivor of Blizyn, Auschwitz and DoraNordhausen concentration camps. Only Joseph and one brother from a large extended family survived the Holocaust.

In 1950, Joseph emigrated to America, where he settled in

Detroit. He later made his home in Philadelphia and Highland Beach, Fla. Teacher, artist and TV repairman, mender of all things broken, Joseph touched the lives of countless people, who were moved by his kindness and optimism, by his ability to see beauty despite witnessing the worst in humanity and his willingness to share his story of survival to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust would never be forgotten.

He was deeply adored and will be greatly missed for his unconditional love for his family and his devotion to Israel.

Mr. Gringlas was the beloved husband for 64 years of Reli; devoted father of Marcy (Joel

Greenberg) and Larry (Karen Fink). He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Sara (Amnon Shefler), Jackson, Ellie, Zoey and Milo; and great-granddaughter, Alma.

A memorial service was held in Philadelphia followed by burial in Jerusalem. Donations may be made in his memory to KAVOD Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund, kavodensuringdignity. com; or Friends of the IDF, Philadelphia Chapter, fidf.org/ act-local/our-chapters/pennsylvania-southern-new-jersey-chapter. Arrangements

by Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks in Philadelphia, goldsteinsfuneral.com.

DOUGLAS J. HARRIS, 93, of Troy, died Nov. 12, 2021.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Paul Harris, John and Paula Harris, and Kenneth and Linda Harris; grandchildren, Jack (John and Paula) and Emily (Kenneth and Linda); brother-in-law, Alan Hayman. He is also lovingly remembered by his nieces, nephews and many friends.

Mr. Harris was the beloved husband for 61 years of the late Elaine Harris; the cherished father of the late Ellen Harris; the loving brother of the late Roland and the late Adelaide Harris, and the late Audrey and

the late Robert Weiss; the dear brother-in-law of the late Anita Hayman; the devoted son of the late Lyman and the late Lillian Harris. He was predeceased by his first wife, Rhona Harris.

Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, 43097 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, hom.org/donations; Humane Society of Michigan, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, michiganhumane.org. or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

continued on page 60

For the peace you need . . . for the respect of the life you treasured.

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 59

JEROME “JERRY” LEONARD LEBOW, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Eureka, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2021.

Born Jan. 16, 1930, in Detroit, Jerry supported his hometown by working in the thriving automobile industry as a draftsman; there, he also met the love of his life. He dedicated 45 years to his craft before retiring and moving to California.

Mr. Lebow is survived by his niece, Hilary, who loved him as a father; two adoring family dogs, Belle and Ralph; many friends, who will miss his free harmonica concerts and calm, kind spirit.

He was predeceased by his wife, Donna Rigby; parents, Ida

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Sarver and Louis Lebow; sister, Dina Belle Lebow; brother, Norman Jack Lebow; sister-inlaw, Karen Faith Lebow; and faithful dog, Murtagh.

Interment was held at Adat Shalom Memorial Park.

Contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

MARVIN R. LITT, 85, of White Lake, died Nov. 10, 2021.

An Army veteran, Mr. Litt served with an intelligence unit in Japan during the Korean Conflict. He was also a past officer of the Morganthau Lodge of B’nai B’rith.

Mr. Litt is survived by his son, Michael Shawn Litt of

White Lake; daughters and sons-in-law, Danielle and Brian Weinstein of Highland Park, Ill., Sheryl Litt and Barry Feldman of West Bloomfield; brother and sister-in-law, Maxwell and Sophie Litt of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister and brother-in-law, Ilene and Norman Cohen of Huntington Woods; grandchildren, Max Feldman, Jonah Feldman, Avery Feldman, Olivia Feldman, Justin Litt, Lily Weinstein, Noa Weinstein; other loving relatives and friends.

Mr. Litt was the beloved husband of the late Karol Litt.

Contributions may be made to Capuchin Kitchen, 1820 Mount Elliot St., Detroit, MI 48207; Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 W. Lincoln Road, Oak Park, MI 48237;

or Frankel Jewish Academy of Metro Detroit, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322. Services took place at Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

Interment was held at Adat Shalom Memorial Park in Livonia. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

PAULINE MARKMAN, 93, of West Bloomfield, died Nov. 16, 2021.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Kathy Markman; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Steven Dovitz; grandchildren, James (Heather) Markman, Charles (Bethany) Markman, Emily (Ryan) Kravetz, Anne (Jason) Canvasser and Melanie (Alex)

Greenstein, David Markman, Lisa Markman and Laura Markman; great-grandchildren, Henry, Hannah, Jonah, Brynn, Jack, Olivia, Owen, Benjamin, Jack, Lillian and Genevieve; many other loving family members and friends.

Mrs. Markman was the beloved wife of the late Julius Markman; mother of the late Bruce Markman; sister of the late Harry Komisar and the late Rochelle Komisar Iczkovitz.

Interment took place at Hebrew Memorial Park Cemetery in Clinton Township. Contributions may be made to Yad Ezra, to JARC or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

EVA TAYLOR, 93, of Ann Arbor, died Nov. 13, 2021.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Dan Barth; son and daughter-inlaw, Glenn and Lori Taylor; grandchildren, Jonathan Barth and Marissa Kresch, Adam and Rebecca Weintraub-

Barth, Rachel Barth, Hillary and Chris Yegen, Benjamin and Julia Taylor, and Jacob Taylor; great-grandchildren, Christopher and Hadley Yegen, and Emilia Taylor; many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Mrs. Taylor was the beloved wife for 60 years of the late Sam Taylor; the loving sister of the late Jack Bach and the late Thea Friedmann; the dear sister-in-law of the late Dr. Aaron Taylor, the late Lillian Goldman and the late Shirley Young.

Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Temple Beth Emeth, 2309 Packard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, templebethemeth.org; Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 W. Lincoln, Oak Park, MI 48237, congbethshalom.org; Providence Hospital, Family Medicine Endowments, 16001 W. Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075, stjohnprovfoundations.org/ hospitals/ascensionprovidence-hospital; or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

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‘No Longer Kept Secret’

New plaques give context to Dutch cemetery where Nazis are buried next to WWII victims.

BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ JTA

At the cemetery in the rural Dutch town of Ysselsteyn, the bodies of Nazi soldiers lie alongside Dutch civilians and troops.

To some, this makes the Ysselsteyn a symbolic reminder of the horrors of war, and commemorations are held annually there. But others say the commemorations equate World War II victims with perpetrators like Julius Dettmann — the Nazi officer responsible for sending Anne Frank and her family to death camps — who is buried at Ysselsteyn. In the past, German ambassadors to the Netherlands have attended the ceremonies.

On Sunday, a Dutch chief rabbi visited the site for the first time, marking a turning point in the public debate over the cemetery. New plaques were unveiled, acknowledging that it is the burial place of war criminals.

Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs, who has opposed the commemorations at Ysselsteyn for years, said in a speech there that he had a “heavy feeling” coming to where multiple soldiers for the Waffen SS elite Nazi unit are buried.

“I almost feel like a traitor because this cemetery also contains horrific murderers who are responsible for the fact that 80% of my family did not return,” he said.

He decided to come because of new steps taken by the Dutch War Grave Foundation, a nonprofit responsible for maintain-

ing burial places of war victims in the kingdom.

Jacobs said the steps taken at Ysselsteyn were “comprehensive, they did everything that needed to be done, and that’s important because not doing so risked making Ysselsteyn a pilgrimage site for neo-Nazis.”

The plaques were the result of talks between the Foundation, Jacobs and representatives of the Jewish community, many of whom have long protested the cemetery commemorations.

Jacobs’ speech received praise from Arthur Graaf, a longtime activist against the commemorations at Ysselsteyn, a town located 70 miles southeast of Amsterdam.

“The atrocities of the Holocaust [are] no longer hushed up there and the role of many thousands of dead perpetrators on Ysselsteyn is no longer kept secret,” Graaf wrote in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

In addition to the plaques informing readers that some of the graves are of SS soldiers, a larger plaque in German was unveiled there earlier this year.

It reads: “Never again! 102,000 Jews, tens of thousands of civilians, people who resisted, Sinti and Roma, prisoners of war and slave laborers were victims of war and Nazi violence in the Netherlands. Most were not allowed to have their own grave.

Many of them remain unknown to you to this day. We mourn their fate here.”

NOVEMBER 25 • 2021

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Looking Back

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

Our Favorite Holiday

A

t times, when I write a “Looking Back,” I have a problem. Some subjects are simply cited so many times that it is hard to decide how to focus the story. Case in point: Chanukah, the Festival of Lights.

Chanukah is a topic that has an overwhelming presence in the William Davidson Digital Archive Mike Smith of Jewish Detroit History.

Alene and The holiday is mentioned Graham Landau Archivist Chair on about 12,000 pages in the Archive. Chanukah is cited 9,000 times; Hanukah nearly 3,000 times. I find it interesting that, until the 1940s, with a few dozen exceptions, the predominate spelling in the Detroit Jewish Chronicle (1916-1951) was “Chanukah.”

The JN, however, first published in 1942, used “Hanukah” through the 1960s, then shifted to Chanukah as the preferred spelling in the 1980s, an editorial convention that continues to this day.

I might venture to say that Chanukah is our favorite holiday at the JN. This is for one salient reason: the annual children’s art contest. It’s a blast! For the past few decades, we’ve had thousands of great entries of original art from our community’s foremost artists — kids!

Perhaps the best day of year at the JN is when we gather all the submissions and meet to decide the winners. Let me tell you, this is not an easy process. We get lots of great art. In the recent past, the winners grace the front cover of the JN’s Chanukah issue, and these pages are preserved in the Archive.

One aspect of Chanukah that one often finds in the Archive are images of and stories about menorahs, many on the covers of the JN. As mentioned above, some of these images are envisioned through the eyes of children. Two of my favorite such covers are Jack Novick’s menorah octopus (Dec. 11, 2014, JN) and Emily

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Tracht’s combo Chanukah/Thanksgiving turkey menorah (Nov. 21, 2013).

Older menorah covers for the JN and the Chronicle also have their charms.

See the photos of kids and menorahs on the cover of the Dec. 21, 1962, and Dec. 3, 1963, issues. The front page of the Nov. 30, 1945, issue of the Chronicle had special meaning. It was the first Chanukah after the end of WWII. Another more sober image is on the cover of the Dec. 31, 1948, Chronicle.. It features a menorah behind a man and woman in Israeli military uniform, with a quote from the book of Maccabees:: “They were ready either to live or die nobly.”

There are also several traditions of menorahs in Detroit beyond the pages of the Chronicle and JN. For the past decade, there has been “Menorah in the D.” Since 2011, every Chanukah has been marked by the lighting of a giant 26-foot menorah in the Campus Martius/Cadillac Square in Downtown Detroit.

If you cannot make it Downtown for the ceremony, no problem. Since the 1980s, menorahs have come to a place near you in the form of the annual Detroit Menorah Parade sponsored by the local Chabad-Lubavitch, with dozens of cars, often including Michigan State Police cruisers, with menorahs on their roofs. This year’s parade leaves the Lubavitch Yeshiva at 15151 10 Mile Road at 4:40 p.m. on Nov. 29.

From all of us at the JN – Happy Chanukah!

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

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