Washtenaw Jewish News Presort Standard In this issue… c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor U.S. Postage PAID 2939 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI 48108 From Let Nahalal Permit No. 85 the our teens Editor children visit go Ann Arbor Page 2 Page 8 Page 21 November 2018 Cheshvan/Kislev 5779 Volume XVIII Number 3 FREE Interfaith Thanksgiving celebration welcomes all Dash Moore George Lambrides, special to the WJN hanksgiving is one of those holidays a watering down of the expression of gratitude inclusive as possible. Is it perfect for everyone? to speak on that is more of a national holiday than whatever its form. The organizers ask program Probably not, but each year there are attempts immigrants and Ta religious holiday. True, there are reli- to improve on it. gious services both on the designated day (this The theme for this year’s cel- year it’s November 22) and on the weekend fol- ebration is “Compassion and refugees lowing. Locally, the Interfaith Round Table has Beauty.” As with most years, Laurie Cohen, special to the WJN chosen the Sunday before Thanksgiving day to there will be readings, prayers, n Sunday, November 11, Debo- give everyone the opportunity to express grati- meditation and music offered rah Dash Moore, Frederick G. L. tude publicly and do so in an interfaith context. from a variety of traditions. At Huetwell Professor of History and The advantage of this timing is that Thanksgiv- the core of most religious tradi- O Judaic Studies at the University of Michi- ing is less sectarian than many other holidays. tions is a commitment to com- gan, will present a JFS-sponsored program It is a good time for people of all faiths (and passion. Events like this one call “Immigrants and Refugees: Today, Yester- for those with no faith tradition at all) to stand people together to live out that day, and Tomor- together and say thank you. compassion and stand with oth- row.” According to Over the past 24 years, this community event ers who hold to the same value. Dash Moore, “The has been hosted by many local religious congre- This year’s celebration will United States gations (Jewish, Buddhist, Unitarian Univer- be Sunday evening, November has a checkered salist, Hindu, Christian, Interfaith and Baha’i). 2017 celebration at Beth Israel Congregation, hosted 18, at 7 p.m., at Bethlehem by Rabbi Robert Dobrusin history of alter- Those who come together for this one hour of United Church of Christ, 423 natively welcom- gratitude and celebration have the chance to do participants to be thoroughly who they are reli- S. Fourth Avenue. For those who wish to ing and rejecting so with people from many faith backgrounds. giously so that their voice is true to their tradi- come early, there will be an open house be- immigrants and This in and of itself is unique. There is no pros- tion. Then, when it comes to singing or saying ginning at 6 p.m. For additional informa- refugees. Jews n elytizing nor missionizing, but neither is there something as a whole group, the language is as tion, call (734) 649-0107. have stood on both sides of the Deborah Dash Moore metaphorical Mentalist to the Stars at the Federation’s Main Event American fence as natives and strangers, as immigrants (legal and illegal) and refugees.” Sharyn J. Gallatin, special to the WJN Her talk will cover the questions: “How have he local community will have the op- Uniquely, and of great excitement to au- nection. That’s why what I do is so important. Jews responded to crises in the past? How portunity to witness the talents of men- diences, Friedman combines his music and When we are in tune with each other’s minds, it does examining that past help us under- T talist Sidney Friedman at the Jewish mental gifts with a demonstration of what he brings people together. It connects. It bonds. It stand what is happening today?” Federation of Greater Ann Arbor’s Main Event calls “Music Mind Reading” where he senses brings us closer in deeper understanding. And As an historian of American Jews, Dash Thursday, December 6, at 6 p.m., at Washtenaw the exact tunes on what a better thing to do in a world where there Moore has published an acclaimed trilogy Community College, Towsley Auditorium. people’s minds then are frictions, a world where we yearn for peace examining the years from 1920 to 1960, in- Friedman is sure to dazzle the audience with his beautifully plays on earth and good will toward all.” cluding the experience of Jewish soldiers telepathic talents and his psychic abilities. them on the piano. New this year is a Pre-Glow for those 45 in World War II. As an historian of New The 2018 Main Event co-chairs are Roberta Today Show host and under. Attendees to the Pre-Glow will have York City, she served as general editor for and Larry Tankanow and their children, Alyse Hoda Kotb states, “A a meet and greet with Friedman and can enjoy the award-winning three-volume City of Tankanow and Joe Cohen and Jennifer and few people are better Hanukkah-themed drinks, along with other Promises: A History of Jews in New York Andrew Tankanow. Alyse Tankanow, co-chair at seeing the future fun activities. City. Her most recent book, Jewish New says: “Joe and I are thrilled to be co-chairing this Sidney Friedman than others, like Entry to the Main Event is $60 per person; York: The Remarkable Story of a City and year’s Main Event with my brother Andy, sister- mentalist Sidney Friedman. We love Sidney.” entry for students and those under the age of 30 a People (2017), synthesizes those three in-law Jenn and our parents, Roberta and Larry. The New York Post’s Carrie Seim writes Fried- is $25 and includes entry into the Pre-Glow. En- volumes. Currently Dash Moore is editor- We moved back to Ann Arbor two years ago to man is “eerily accurate!” And Forbes Magazine try to the Pre-Glow is $18 for those aged 30–45. in-chief of the ten-volume Posen Library of be closer to family and a wonderful commu- calls Friedman, “the mentalist to the stars” for Participants will be asked to support the com- Jewish Culture and Civilization published nity. It is our hope that the Jewish community his numerous celebrity clients. munity with a minimum $125 pledge to the by Yale University Press. continues to grow and flourish here bringing in Performing over 110 shows and speaking Jewish Federation’s 2019 Annual Community The program will take place at Medi- new events for all generations with the strong engagements a year, Friedman’s clients include Campaign; students and those under the age of terrano Restaurant, in the Concord Center support and partnership of the Jewish Federa- hundreds of charitable organizations. He says, 30 will be asked to make a meaningful pledge to Shops, 2900 S State Street. A suggested do- tion. This is sure to be a wonderful gathering of “The world population recently surpassed seven the 2019 Annual Community Campaign. nation of $10/person will include the lec- awe-inspiring entertainment, music and tzeda- billion people. That’s a lot of people with seem- To register for the Main Event, visit www. ture and dessert reception. n kah. We look forward to seeing you on Decem- ingly so many differences, but we all have one jewishannarbor.org/ME2018 or call Sharyn ber 6 for a fun and meaningful evening.” thing in common: Connection. We all seek con- Gallatin at (734) 677-0100, ext. 228. n IEditorial 2935 Birch Hollow Drive From the editor Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 he weekend of October 20, I celebrated voice: 734/971-1800 e-mail: [email protected] my great-niece Evie’s bat mitzvah in www.washtenawjewishnews.org T Pittsburgh in the same shul as Tree of Elections have consequences. Life Congregation. One week later, on October – President Barack Obama Editor and Publisher 27, a gunman murdered 11 of their fellow con- Susan Kravitz Ayer gregants. One was their very close friend and I that I had to do everything I could to fight the had photographed Jerry and his wife Miri as threats to our democracy. I became even more Calendar Editor they celebrated Evie’s accomplishments with resolute after going to the Women’s March in Claire Sandler us. Now, he is dead. Washington DC in January 2017. Since then, I Advertising Manager In the last couple of weeks, assassination have worked tirelessly as part of the group Pro- Gordon White attempts on President Obama, Vice-President tectors of Equality in Government, whose goal is Biden, President Bill Clinton and Secretary of having a government that treats all people with Design and Layout State Hillary Clinton, numerous Democratic equality and acceptance. We have published a Dennis Platte legislators, a Jewish philanthropist and journal- weekly newsletter, maintained an active Face- ists failed, but only from incompetence on the book page as a means to share relevant news Staff Writers part of the bomber. All the intended victims have articles, and hosted speakers to educate us about Lois Godel and Lonnie Sussman been repeatedly vilified by President Trump and the issues we care about—racism, gun control, Contributing Writers some of his more enthusiastic supporters. immigrants rights, protecting our environment, Barb Banet, Livnat Brody, Rabbi Nadav Caine, Also last week, two African-Americans, women’s rights, health care protections, rights Stacy Carroll, Laurie Cohen, Jessica Cooper, Carol Maurice Stallard and Vickie Lee Jones were shot for LGBTQ, voters’ rights, and more.