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Articles by Robin Schwartz
Giving Thanks by Giving Back
Hatching A Community By Jennifer Lovy A large part of Nick Gorga's narrative is the quintessential story of an idea-turned-grassroots initiative that led to a multitude of impactful opportunities for entrepreneurs in Detroit. In 2010, this 46-year-old Bloomfield Village attorney started Hatch Detroit, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent small businesses through funding, education, exposure and mentorship.
30th Annual Women's Power Breakfast: A Legacy of Empowerment and Impact | Detroit Jewish News
Dulcie Rosenfeld is the powerhouse behind the 30-year-old Women’s Power Breakfast. A line of cars, seemingly a mile long, streamed into the parking lot of the new Gleaners Community Food Bank South Campus in Taylor as more than 540 participants arrived for the 30th annual Women’s Power Breakfast. Among the crowd May 2 was 95-year-old Dulcie Rosenfeld, a career volunteer and fundraiser who dreamt up the ingenious event idea three decades ago.
Lessons from Ben | Detroit Jewish News
Benjamin Craine, 78, of Bloomfield Hills was a successful business owner, a dedicated photographer, a tireless motivator and an endless source of encouragement to all who knew him. To his daughter Ellyn Davidson of Huntington Woods, he was also a mentor, a business adviser and, above all, a best friend.
U.S. Trotting News
Fayette County Harness Horsemen’s Association awards banquet on March 18 The Fayette County Harness Horsemen’s Association will hold its annual awards banquet on Saturday (March 18). Social hour will be from 5-6 p.m. with dinner to follow. Carson Farmhouse Favorites will be catering the meal.
Bringing Back Blue Bird | Detroit Jewish News
Musician Jonah Raduns-Silverstein leads effort to restore historic Detroit jazz club. For those who aren’t in the know, it would be easy to drive past The Blue Bird Inn on Tireman on Detroit’s west side without giving it a second glance. The building, with an old beer and wine store on the left and a towing shop on the right, has boarded up windows and bars on the door.
Barry Franklin Uncovers the Secrets of Highly Successful People in New Book — Detroit Jewish News
Two decades of research led to his latest book, which provides a roadmap for young people to achieve their dreams and a fulfilling life. Everything about Barry Franklin screams superachiever. He is the director of Preventative Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation for Beaumont Health and a professor of internal medicine at Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine. He received bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Kent State, University of Michigan and Penn State University.
Bates Street Society Dinner to Honor 5 Jewish ‘Pillars’ — Detroit Jewish News
Left: Linda Schlesinger-Wagner. Top row: Rabbi Daniel Syme (left) and Lila Lazarus (right). Bottom row: Barry Franklin (left) and Evan Weiner (right). From a rabbi to a cardiology expert, honorees help others and give back to the community. It took three tries — scheduling and rescheduling amid COVID-19 concerns — but as they say, the third time’s the charm for the sixth annual Bates Street Society Dinner.
The Skillman Foundation’s Angelique Power on Being a Black, Jewish, Change Agent in Detroit — Detroit Jewish News
Angelique Power in front of a wall of family photographs. Behind her, to the right, are her grandfather, Vernon B Williams Jr., and parents Vernon B Williams III and Mikie Williams. (Sean Power) Growing up, Angelique Power describes being Black and Jewish as being “a part of communities and being apart from communities at the very same time.” Black life in America and Jewish life in America are both Angelique Power’s life.
Former Hiller’s VP Justin Hiller Brings Saladworks and Frutta Bowls to West Bloomfield — Detroit Jewish News
Saladworks owner Justin Hiller He opened Saladworks and Frutta Bowls at Crosswinds Mall on Orchard Lake Road in December, creating 15 new jobs. Justin Hiller grew up in the food business, at the supermarket chain his late grandfather Sidney Hiller started, and his father, Jim Hiller, ran for decades. Now Justin Hiller, former VP of Hiller’s Markets, has returned to the retail food industry, bringing a new healthy fast-food concept to Metro Detroit.
BBYO Michigan Opens New Office in West Bloomfield with Space for Jewish Teens — Detroit Jewish News
Rachel Grey Ellis shows off BBYO’s new sign on Orchard Lake Road. (Courtesy of BBYO) BBYO’s mission is to create meaningful experiences for Jewish teens from social events to philanthropy, community service, social justice initiatives, athletics, health and social awareness and more. For more than 97 years, BBYO (formerly B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) has given teenagers a place to build friendships, leadership skills and their Jewish identity.
WDIV-TV General Manager Marla Drutz Retires After 40 Years in Television — Detroit Jewish News
Marla was featured on the cover of the JN in January 2002. Over the course of her career, Marla Drutz has been at the epicenter of fast-paced, high-intensity TV news operations at stations in Cleveland and Detroit. For the last four decades, if a story led our local newscasts on WDIV-TV Local 4, you can bet Marla Drutz was among those who knew about it first. She’s had what she describes as a “front row, 50-yard-line-seat” to daily news events and history in the making.
Jessica Hauser’s ‘Joy Doodles’ Bring Back Childhood Memories of Her Late Father — The Jewish News
Hauser’s paintings have names like “Joys of Summer,” “Rocket Feathers” and “Desert Waves.” By day, Jessica Hauser is a dynamic nonprofit leader doing everything in her power to ensure Detroit students have the tools they need to succeed.
Telemus Names Matt Ran Partner, Expands Services — Detroit Jewish News
Telemus offices are in Southfield. Telemus’ new offerings include financial planning and implementation for corporate leaders, a family office, private investments in less traditional areas, and insurance and risk protection services. Over the last 12 years, Matt Ran has held nearly every role at Telemus — from intern to wealth analyst to chief operating officer. Now, he has a new title — partner.
Paintings that Pop: Artist Jennifer Kroll Makes a Statement With Her Bold, Colorful Creations — The Jewish News
Jennifer Kroll with a piece from her “Barcode” collection. (Jennifer Kroll) The Jewish student organization, Hillel, recently commissioned six large paintings that will hang in a new, modern building at George Washington University in D.C. She brightens the world and lights up room after room with her abstract, geometric paintings.
Global Zooming: Jewish Groups Hop Aboard the Growing Trend of Virtual Travel
A screen shot of Haifa’s Baha’i Gardens from Beth Ahm's off- the-beaten-path tour Among many congregations and Jewish groups, virtual Israel trips are popular. Every night for a week, more than 200 “travelers” from 11 states — including a group from Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield — experienced Israel like never before.
Moms Making Matches: Jewish Moms’ Facebook Page Dedicates a Day to Help Singles Find Love — Detroit Jewish News
The posts featured local men and women in a wide variety of professions. You could feel the love in each and every post on the Jewish Moms of Metro Detroit Facebook page. One day only, Feb. 15, the day after Valentine’s Day, was dedicated solely to posts about Jewish singles of all ages looking for the right Jewish match.
Insurance Assurance: Globe Midwest Adjusters International has had Jewish Roots for Generations — The Jewish News
Top Row (left to right) is Maury Levin and Abe Mackey, center row is David Gross, the company’s original founders. (Courtesy of Globe Midwest Adjusters) The Globe Midwest Adjusters International’s four owners — brothers Carl and Ethan Gross, and father and daughter, Bobby Levin and Danielle Levin Gabbard — are carrying on the family tradition. Afriend’s house fire nearly 100 years ago sparked a business idea that continues to grow and flourish, led by two local Jewish families.
New Jewish Climate Justice Group 'Dayenu' Mobilizes Michigan Voters — Detroit Jewish News
Dayenu volunteers across the country hold up signs that together spell out a message. (Facebook/Dayenu) Dayenu is a new movement of American Jews confronting the climate crisis “with spiritual audacity and bold political action.” Concerns about climate change and its impact on our world “loom like big clouds” over everything for Josh Bender of Ann Arbor.
The Crushing Loss of a Pet: Support Group and New Book Comfort Grieving Pet Owners — Detroit Jewish News
Dr. Micky Golden Moore’s new book Tails from Beyond the Paw Print contains stories of “love, loss and lessons learned” from various support group members. He had a human name. And for Jill and Mitchell Solomon of Farmington Hills, losing their dog, Danny, to cancer was like losing a family member. The 12-year-old Dalmatian was a rescue dog, a loyal companion who was part of their daily lives for more than a decade. He underwent radiation treatments, but the cancer was aggressive.
Shaya Baum Leads Local Firm that Helps Businesses Struggling with Debilitating Debt — Detroit Jewish News
Wing Lake employees hold a recent team meeting in Farmington Hills. (Wing Lake Capital) Every day, urgent calls come in from across the country from doctors, small business owners, construction firms, trucking companies and others who have fallen into the trap of what’s known as a merchant cash advance. Think of it as an emergency room for businesses.
Local Inventors’ Breakthrough App Helps Diabetes Patients Manage Insulin at Home — Detroit Jewish News
The app interprets blood sugar readings and acts like an “artificial physician” to make clinical decisions about how much insulin a person should take. It’s one of those things most of us take for granted. Every day, without realizing it, our bodies make insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and helps keep them from getting too high or too low.
Sherry Margolis Signs Off After 35 Years at WJBK-TV — Detroit Jewish News
Sherry’s family: her late husband, Jeff, Alex, Eden, Jordan and Sherry. (Courtesy of Sherry Margolis) Sherry Margolis has been a beloved fixture on the local evening news at WJBK-TV (Channel 2) ever since her arrival in 1984. Detroit had a lot to cheer about in 1984. The Tigers won the World Series, defeating the San Diego Padres, 4 games to 1. And a rising TV news star — Sherry Margolis — came to town. Margolis moved to Detroit that year from her hometown of Buffalo, New York.
Online Campaign Aims to Help Sylvan Lake Man Find a Kidney Donor During COVID-19 — Detroit Jewish News
Phil Ross and wife Debbi with one of their two grandchildren. (Photo courtesy of Phil Ross) Phil Ross’s family members helped launch a social media campaign called “Papa Phil Can, His Kidneys Can’t,” where people can sign up to get tested to see if they’re a match. The stunning views from the national parks in Utah weren’t all that took Phil Ross’s breath away.
As Michigan’s Stay-at-Home Order Lifts and Businesses Reopen, Parents Struggle With Childcare — Detroit Jewish News
Joanna Cline of Novi and her 6-year-old triplets, Steven, Amaya and Sammy. (Photo courtesy of Joanna Cline) For the limited options that are available, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what’s safe. It’s a catch-22 — COVID-19 style — for parents with young children. How do they go back to work as Michigan’s stay-at-home order lifts and businesses, workplaces and restaurants re-open without someone to care for their children? There’s no easy answer.
Faces & Places: Friendship Circle Hosts First-Ever Graduation with a Parade of Smiles
Graduate Hailey Reinke and Karrah Waganat strike a pose. (Photo courtesy of Friendship Circle) Graduates held up homemade posters, families posed for pictures, and the Friendship Circle ice cream truck handed out sweet treats Ice cream, smiles and proud graduates were all part of a special day-long celebration June 4, courtesy of Friendship Circle.
Local Photographer’s Social Media Posts Lead to Removal of Shelby Township Police Chief — Detroit Jewish News
Chief Robert Shelide (Courtesy of Shelby Township Police Department) Dan Lippitt posted a series of screenshots highlighting inflammatory, hateful tweets and posts from various businesspeople, politicians and others. Dan Lippitt wants to make it crystal clear — he didn’t do anything special. “I sat on my couch and posted something on Facebook; that’s about as lazy as you can be,” says the former photojournalist, who once worked at the JN and is now a commercial photographer.
Community Helps Holocaust Survivor and His Wife Mark a Milestone in Quarantine — Detroit Jewish News
Martin Lowenberg, 92, and his wife, Carol, 87, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Marc Jerusalem) Martin met Carol, the love of his life, through mutual friends six decades ago.
Fundraising During a Pandemic: Nonprofit Organizations Scramble to Raise Emergency Funds, Replace Cancelled Events
David Paull’s Take Steps team that raises funds for the Michigan Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. (Courtesy of David Paull) Organizations that help feed the hungry, award college scholarships and more have been thrown for a loop since the COVID-19 crisis began.
Metro Detroit Health Care Workers Describe Life on the Front Lines of COVID-19 — Detroit Jewish New
Local health care workers are describing the grueling, emotional shifts they face each day while working the front lines of COVID-19. She risks her life, night after night, while her four children sleep. Barbara Goel, a nurse anesthetist who works extended shifts (7 p.m. to 7 a.m. or 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) at Beaumont Hospital in Farmington Hills, is covered from head to toe in protective gear and surrounded by COVID-19 all night long.
Local Doctors Lead COVID-19 Studies That Could Help Solve This Crisis — Detroit Jewish News
Mobile COVID-19 testing. (Photo: Dr. Phil Levy) Beaumont Health is launching the nation’s largest serological testing study for COVID-19 antibodies. The battle against COVID-19 will most likely be won in a lab, and two local doctors are at the forefront of critical research and testing programs designed to unlock the mysteries surrounding the novel coronavirus.
‘I’m a Very Lucky Man’: 80-Year-Old Commerce Township Man, 74-Year-Old Wife Survive COVID-19
Michelle and Brad Silber talk with Doris, Harvey and other family members virtually while Harvey was in the hospital. (Courtesy of Michelle Silber) A couple’s story is spreading hope among his friends and relatives across the globe about COVID-19. Harvey Olson, 80, of Commerce Township is living proof that COVID-19 can be beaten. His story is spreading hope among his friends and relatives across the globe.
Neighbors Raise Funds for Berkley Restaurant Workers Hit Hard by COVID-19 — Detroit Jewish News
Matthew Grushky, a server at Berkley Common, hands out a curbside delivery. (Photo: Ellyn Davidson) In just five days, 139 people had donated more than $8,000. When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed an order temporarily closing bars, theaters and other public spaces and limiting restaurants to delivery and carry-out orders, Ellyn Davidson of Huntington Woods immediately thought of her friends and neighbors. The order took effect March 16 and has been extended through April 30.
Hospitals Call for Help During COVID-19 Pandemic — Detroit Jewish News
A citizen drops off needed medical supplies to the Beaumont Health Service Center in Southfield (By Don Cohen). With medical gear in short supply to fight the novel coronavirus, donations are urgently needed. The heroes of COVID-19, the medical professionals on the front lines fighting the highly contagious virus, are going into battle every day without the supplies they need. And it’s getting worse. “Resources are very slim.
Coping with Coronavirus — Detroit Jewish News
Rose Garber and son Isaac, 11 months, have fun finger-painting in the kitchen. (Courtesy Garber Family) From virtual dance classes to online prayer, families get creative amid the crisis. It has been said that a crisis can bring out the best in people, and that certainly seems to be happening among local Jewish families trying to find a “new normal” in the midst of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. But it hasn’t been easy.
Third Generation of Shemtov Family Opens Chabad Centers in Michigan — Detroit Jewish News
Mushky Dubov, Chana Caytak and Mushky Glitsenstein Younger generations continue tradition of friendship and community-building. Featured photo courtesy of the Shemtov Family A family tradition that started more than 60 years ago has come full circle for the Shemtov family. Bassie and Rabbi Levi Shemtov are the founders and co-directors of Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield.
Local Families Get in on the Action at Iowa Caucus — Detroit Jewish News
Olivia Goldstein and Ruby Rosh, both 11 of Huntington Woods, hold up their press passes at the Iowa Caucus Moms travel with kids in tow to meet Democratic candidates and experience the 2020 Caucus Photos courtesy of Robin Schwartz I recently boarded a flight to Des Moines, Iowa, with an excited and energetic crew. My friend, Danielle McGuire, an award-winning author and historian, her 11-year-old daughter, Ruby, my 11-year-old daughter, Olivia, and I were headed to the 2020 Iowa Caucus.
Six Jewish Young Adults Dedicated to the Family Business — Detroit Jewish News
Mindy and Dr. Joel Young and their daughter, Katie, at the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine. Metro Detroit families find joy in working together. Photos by Robin Schwartz As a child, Katie Young seemed more interested in flipping through psychiatry journals than reading children’s books. Her parents thought that might be a sign, and it was. Today, Young, 26, of Ann Arbor, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine (RCBM).
Tax-Smart Charitable Giving — Detroit Jewish News
Michigan Hillel teamed up with Telemus for a crash course on year-end tax planning and charitable giving. There’s a reason they call this the “giving season.” According to the experts, more than 30 percent of all charitable giving takes place during the month of December with 10 percent happening in the last three days of the year.
Dr. Maisel to Match $25K for Lighthouse Event — Detroit Jewish News
Dr. Harry Maisel of West Bloomfield is making an impactful gift for those in need for the Lighthouse Dancing with the Detroit Stars event. Featured photo courtesy SOS The men, women, children and families who walk through the doors of South Oakland Shelter (SOS) in Lathrup Village are often facing dark times.
Cloned Dog Provides Comfort — Detroit Jewish News
Published February 26, 2019byJN Contributor Monni Must clones late daughter’s beloved dog Billy to create Gunni, who was born in November 2017. By Robin Schwartz Photo courtesy of Monni Must She turned 1 in November with little fanfare. There was no official celebration for Gunni, a beautiful black Labrador with soulful eyes, owned by photographer Monni Must. But the puppy posed for a portrait wearing a party hat — and her birthday was significant in more ways than one.
Small Wonders - Detroit Jewish News
Holiday shoppers will find All the Small Things at Soul Studio’s annual gift show. Robin Schwartz Contributing Writer They say big things come in small packages and that’s certainly true at the Friendship Circle Farber Center in West Bloomfield. The Dresner Foundation Soul Studio recently unveiled its annual holiday gift show filled with colorful, creative, handmade items made by artists with special needs.
Lighting the Night
Menorah in the D to honor 8 in their 8’s and pay tribute to Pittsburgh shooting victims. Robin Schwartz Contributing Writer Bringing light to the world around us is always an important theme of Chanukah, which begins at sundown Sunday, Dec. 2.
Know Your Risk - Detroit Jewish News
They are wives, mothers, survivors and fighters, each with her own unique story to tell. Ellyn Davidson and Melissa Mally, both of Huntington Woods, live within walking distance of each other in the small Oakland County city of about 6,200 people. The two women, who only recently met, were each born with a gene mutation indicating a hereditary risk for breast cancer.
Justice Seeker - Detroit Jewish News
Valerie Newman’s passion for getting innocent people out of prison leads to new role. Anyone who steps inside Valerie Newman’s Detroit office at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice is greeted by a colorful, framed poster emblazoned with these words from the Torah: “Justice, justice shalt thou pursue.” Newman calls the biblical quote from Deuteronomy her “life model” — it’s a daily reminder of her passion and purpose.
Leading By Example
Repair the World’s new executive director reflects on her inaugural year. You might find her jogging through Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood or working in a greenhouse or helping to bury old prayer books in a sacred space for Jewish texts. But you’ll most likely find Sarah Allyn, 30, of Detroit at Repair the World’s cool headquarters on Bagley, where she just wrapped her first year as executive director of the Jewish nonprofit focused on service-learning and volunteering.
Soul Café Unveils New Sunday Dinner by Popular Demand
A sold-out crowd filled the dining room of Soul Café inside the Friendship Circle Farber Center in West Bloomfield Jan. 14 for the café’s first-ever Sunday dinner. It was an exciting start to a new tradition that diners have been waiting for. Soul Café is the only dairy, full-service kosher restaurant in Michigan. Several pop-up dinners were wildly successful and staff members decided the time was right to extend Sunday hours and serve dinner from 5-8 p.m. each week.
HealthQuest’s Sol Cogan offers $20 appointments to help the community
Dr. Sol Cogan knows a thing or two about pain. He has dedicated his life and career to eliminating it — for everyone from professional athletes to cancer patients to accident victims to seniors. It all started with his own devastating injury as a high school wrestler about three decades ago. “I was thrown on my back and I felt lightning bolts go down both legs,” he recalls. “I was literally paralyzed for about two minutes.
Chocolate turkeys stuffed with treats? Yes, please!
The quest for the perfect piece of chocolate led Gayle Harte to start a chocolate factory in her Huntington Woods home back in 1979. She was certain she could create the kind of rich, creamy chocolate she’d been dreaming about. As Gayle perfected her recipes, word started spreading about her decadent bite-sized desserts and, before long, her budding business was generating quite a hubbub. Neighbors complained, so Gayle opened a storefront in Royal Oak in 1984. The rest is history.
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