Category: News

  • Community Briefing: Antisemitism and Security

    An alarming statistic was shared recently by the Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America: Over the past month, in the wake of Israel’s 11-day conflict with Hamas, antisemitic acts in the U.S. soared by 80%.

    This includes incidents of vandalism and intimidation, calls for boycotts and a relentless barrage of extreme criticism against Israel in social media. Anti-Zionism has become a form of open and pervasive antisemitism, as the effort the delegitimize Israel’s right to defend itself—and even to exist—has become interwoven with other strains of hatred for the Jewish people.

    Understandably, there is a heightened concern across Jewish Detroit about the surge in antisemitism. Locally, we have witnessed disparaging and inflammatory rhetoric in the media, in public institutions and on our college campuses. This toxic commentary perpetuates hate and is wholly unacceptable. No other religious or ethnic group would or should tolerate the level of animus that has been directed toward Israel and, in many cases, the Jewish people.

    Jewish organizations are often first to defend and speak up for other groups targeted by hate. Here in Detroit, we have enjoyed a century of peaceful relations with other religious and ethnic groups, and we remain committed to cooperation and respect between communities. We must continue to demonstrate allyship and solidarity with our neighbors and remain advocates and exemplars for justice and equality for all.

    But we must also confront antisemitism directly. This means calling it out when it appears and working to halt its normalization in our society. We applaud those who gathered recently to rally against antisemitism, and we encourage everyone to lend their voices as we speak out as a unified community. Below, you will find a listing of resources to report any incidents or concerns, as well as to engage in the effort to combat antisemitism, hatred and divisiveness of all kinds.

    We want to stress that the safety our community remains a core priority of the Jewish Federation. We have long recognized the critical importance of sustained and vigilant security, and in recent years we have grown the size and reach of our Community Security program. Our highly trained and experienced officers are stationed at Jewish Day Schools, agencies, camps and campuses throughout the community. This team works in close collaboration with their peers in local and national law enforcement to keep our community members safe. We also support Jewish congregations and other institutions across the community by providing consultation, education and advocacy to instill a culture of vigilance and safety.

    We conclude with a message from the rabbi of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue to American Jews: “The answer is not to do less and to hide. It’s to be proud of who you are, and to do more of what you are that makes you Jewish; to help your fellow human beings in any way that you can; to follow the precepts of our Jewish law, and to be the best possible version of yourself you could be. So, when they do more evil, I do more Jewish.”

    TO REPORT SECURITY CONCERNS

    If you see something, say something. Immediately report suspicious behavior to local law enforcement. Be aware of activities on social media and report concerns with guns, threats or other alarming activities.

    Contact JFMD Security
    For immediate concerns related to Jewish communal schools, congregations and agencies, contact the Jewish Federation Community-Wide Security Team at 248-833-2521 or email security@jfmd.org.
    *Anyone in immediate danger should contact 911 (or their local law enforcement entity).

    TO REPORT INCIDENTS OF ANTISEMITISM

    Contact ADL
    To report incidents of antisemitism, bias and discrimination through the ADL, visit https://www.adl.org/reportincident or call 248-353-7553.

    TO LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED

    Resources from ADL:
    ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. 

    • Sign up for ADL’s monthly newsletter to keep up-to-date with the local work ADL is doing including updates from the Regional Director and education team: www.adl.org/sign-up-to-receive-adl-email-newsletters  
    • Ending bias, hate, and antisemitism starts with education. Reach out to ADL’s education team by clicking here to learn more about bringing programs to your schools or religious institutions.
    • Visit www.adl.org for background documents on hate groups and symbols, resources for parents and teachers, research reports, and advocacy efforts.

    Resources from JCRC/AJC:
    JCRC/AJC’s mission is to represent the metropolitan Detroit Jewish community, Israel and Jews throughout the world to the general community, and to establish collaborative relationships with other ethnic, racial, civic and religious groups.

    • Click here to join JCRC/AJC’s email list (scroll to the bottom) or email alekman@jfmd.org. 
    • For our high school community, Hannah Goodman, AJC Young Leadership Associate, heads up AJC’s LFT program in Detroit to educate high school students about advocacy against antisemitism. goodman@ajc.org
    • For our partnership with the Black community, Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity (with Council of Baptist Pastors, Urban League and ADL): Ashira Solomon is our Community Associate. solomon@jfmd.org.   
    • For our partnerships with the Muslim, Hindu and Chaldean community, our Muslim Jewish Advisory Council (with the Michigan Muslim Community Council): Michael Kuper: kuper@jfmd.org.  
    • Follow JCRC/AJC and the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity on Facebook.
    • Translate Hate – A digital resource aimed at enabling people of all backgrounds to expose antisemitic tropes and take action against hate speech.

    Resources from the Jewish Federation System:
    The Secure Community Network (SCN) is part of the American Jewish community’s response to heightened security concerns in the United States. Sign up for updates here.

    Matthew B. Lester
    President, Jewish Federation of Detroit
    Dennis S. Bernard
    President, United Jewish Foundation
    Steven Ingber
    Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Federation of Detroit

  • Enosh – The Israeli Mental Health Association – During the current tensions

    Founded in 1978, Enosh is the largest mental health organization in Israel. It has 75 service centers that deliver comprehensive community-based rehabilitation programs to over 6,700 individuals and 16,000 family members. Enosh operates in the domains of housing, employment and socialization, as well as family consultation and youth treatment centers for early intervention. Additionally, Enosh has spearheaded significant changes in mental health advocacy, legislation and service delivery, bringing its expertise to the forefront of the global mental health and disability rights agenda by gaining consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council – ECOSOC.

    Target Audience: Enosh service users are young people aged 12 – 25 with mild to moderate mental health problems (e.g., anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, sexual orientation, and gender identity) residing in Jerusalem. The target-population is quite diverse and includes people from different socio-economic background, ethnicity and religion such as: religious, secular, orthodox Jews, Arabs, immigrants, LGBT, etc. Youth mental health is one of Israel’s biggest health and economic challenges. Mental health disorders account for a staggering 60-70% of the non-fatal burden of disease among 15-24-year old’s, as at least 75% of teenagers aged 13-18 have experienced a mental crisis.


    Operation Guardian of the Walls
    As Israel is going through a very difficult time, Enosh’s, the Israeli mental health association, activity is significantly affected. After a year under the Covid-19 pandemic’s circumstances, in recent weeks they have witnessed a rise in violence and insecurity levels of Israeli citizens – both by rockets fired by Hamas’ terror organization from Gaza and by riots accruing in various Israeli cities between Jews and Arabs.


    Due to the current situation, 45 (2/3) of Enosh’s community mental health centers, with about 600 employees and over 4,000 service users, are under the threat of missiles. Also, 25 of Enosh’s service-centers operate in Jewish-Arab mixed cities in addition to six service centers which are located in all-Arabic regions with over 300 employees and about 2,000 service users.


    Since its establishment, Enosh promotes coexistence and commitment to working with diverse professional staff in all sectors of Israeli societies and even provides multi-lingual and culture-oriented services. The unfortunate events have significant negative effects on the mental wellbeing of people with psychosocial disabilities and their caregivers, mostly their close family, who are more likely to experience anxiety, depression or addiction disorders due to stress. As a result, there is up to 40% rise in the number of inquiries to Enosh’s community mental health services in the domains of housing, employment, social-recreational centers, youth treatment and family consultation. In addition, there is a substantial rise of 400-700% in the need of intensive treatment, intervention, engagement as reported by the professional staff. 

    Enosh has a well-established emergency work plan which enables us to shift smoothly from daily routine to extreme situations. As a response to the complicated circumstances, they reacted by providing short-term emergency strategies for assisting both employees and service users:

    1. Expanding availability and reinforcing staff in Arab-Jewish mixed and bombed cities as well as mobilizing service users according to local dynamic needs.
    2. Supporting lonely service consumers with coordination to other services and enhancing emergency guidance and daily assistance.
    3. Increasing online communication activities for stress relief, social interaction and mental resilience.

    Consequently, they face an immense additional workload and stress load to hundreds among our employees who are also in need of support – “any helper needs some help and relief” as they live under the same threats along with their families. In order to cope with the above long-term consequences, they will need to support our current service users and staff as well as the noticeable wave of new service users by: 

    1. A designated relief and resilience supportive program including both a getaway and dynamic workshops.
    2. Organizing coexistence workshops and lectures to employees and service users.

    In conclusion, the current violence and unrest are rather a continuation to an intense year under Covid-19 circumstances, which has resulted in a 40% enlargement and reinforcement of the organization’s community mental health activities due to the growing need.

    At this period of time, the Enosh teams are working diligently to provide over and above support to all of their service users. This multiple intensification of effort could cause exhaustion, stress and may lead to burnouts among employees.

  • Community Briefing: Israel Under Attack

    The people of Israel are under assault by a prolonged and deadly barrage of rocket fire, originating from Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza. The attack is virtually unprecedented in its range and scale, creating trauma and destruction throughout the country and tragically killing a growing number of innocent civilians. The city of Jerusalem has been targeted by rockets for the first time since the 2014 Gaza War.
     
    As a deeply committed Jewish community, we stand in solidarity with our family in Israel and pray for their safety and well-being. We recognize the suffering of all people at the hands of terrorists, and we look forward to a de-escalation to this conflict and an end to the senseless violence that threatens the welfare and safety of all who hope for peace. Above all, the Jewish Federation remains steadfast in its support for the people and nation of Israel.
     
    Throughout the conflict, we have remained in close contact with our global partner agencies who are now working tirelessly to protect and support the many innocent victims in cities across Israel.
     
    A brief snapshot of these efforts:

    The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) has placed its Fund for the Victims of Terror into Emergency Mode. The Fund is in contact with the families of the homes that were directly damaged in Ashkelon and the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, as well as others who have been injured, to determine whether emergency funds are needed and will distribute as appropriate.
     
    The Ashkelon Resilience Center, whose team was extensively trained by Federations’ partner the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), is functioning at full emergency capacity. Teams were on emergency duty throughout the night and are preparing to provide reinforcement for local staff in line with any future developments. Anxiety victims are also being treated by ITC in the areas around Jerusalem, where a number of long-range rockets fell yesterday. 
     
    The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), another overseas partner of the Detroit Jewish Federation which is committed to the rescue and relief of Jews and others in danger, is convening their emergency situation team and are assessing the situation on the ground and needs.

    As the situation unfolds, we want to share with you the following opportunities for briefings that have been put together by Jewish Federations of North America and The Jewish Agency for Israel.

    Wednesday, May 12 | 1:00PM – 2:00PM 
    Special briefing on the escalation in Israel, with the Israel Defense Forces’ International Media Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus.

    Click Here to Register

    Thursday, May 13 | 12:00PM – 12:30PM 
    Join former Member of Knesset and expert in international law, Michal Cotler-Wunsh as she addresses the questions “What are the causes behind the current flare-up of violence in Israel? What’s really going on in Jerusalem and Gaza?”

    Click Here to Register

    Thursday, May 13 | 2:00PM
    Join the JCRC/AJC for Situation in Israel: Jewish Federation Shaliach Yiftah Leket interviews Anna Ahronheim, military reporter for the Jerusalem Post.

    Click Here to Register

    Special Briefing
    Additionally, yesterday The Jewish Agency for Israel held a special briefing with Ambassador Dr. Michael Oren and Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog, which you can view by clicking the button below.

    Click Here to Watch

    Matthew B. Lester, President, JFMD
    Dennis S. Bernard, President, UJF
    Steven Ingber, CEO, JFMD

  • Steven Ingber named as Federation’s new Chief Executive Officer

    May 6, 2021

    On behalf of Matthew B. Lester, JFMD President, and Dennis S. Bernard, UJF President:

    We are excited to share the news that the Jewish Federation/United Jewish Foundation has named Steven Ingber as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

    The announcement comes after a national executive search, led by a committee of JFMD/UJF volunteers chaired by Lawrence Wolfe. We thank the committee for their diligence and hard work.

    Steve joined the organization as Chief Operating Officer in 2016. He has served as JFMD’s lead professional since the end of 2019, when former CEO Scott Kaufman stepped down after nine years in the role. Over the past year, Steve has been guiding the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging times in the history of our organization.

    There could have been no greater test for a leader. The health and welfare of the Detroit Jewish community depends on the Federation, and it is clear that Steve is doing an extraordinary job. He has skillfully managed the complex response to the crisis while continuing to strengthen the Jewish Federation for the future. Steve has also built strong, collaborative relationships with individuals across all levels of the organization, as well as with leaders and stakeholders throughout the community.

    As many of you know, Steve brings a unique combination of business skills, commitment and passion to serve others in his efforts on behalf of the Jewish community. He has a deep understanding of both the mission and operational aspects of the Jewish Federation, and he has been extremely successful in working to solve both immediate and longstanding challenges. We are confident that he is the right individual to lead the organization forward.

    Prior to joining the Jewish Federation, Steve was an entrepreneur who owned and operated an automotive wholesale distribution business in the metro Detroit area. He graduated from the Business School at the University of Michigan in 2001 (now the Ross School of Business). He lives with his wife Jill and four sons in Huntington Woods.

    I hope you will all join us in wishing Steve a warm congratulations and Mazel Tov as he assumes this well-deserved new role.

  • Why I Give Money to Street Beggars, and How That’s Related to Purim

    by Yiftah Leket

    Driving to my home in Tel Aviv’s Neve-Zedek neighborhood I would exit via the La Guardia exchange, head on to Yehuda Halevi St, and when I turned onto Herzl St., I reached the small, picturesque streets where I always passed at least 2 or 3 beggars. Many would often say that they probably waste the shekels on items that are bad for them (alcohol, drugs), yet I kept on giving. For me, those few shekels that I dropped in their cups were not so much about money, but rather the opportunity to look into that person’s eyes and say, without words, that he or she is still a human being, and they are worthy of even the smallest of gestures.

    Poverty in Israel is a continuous and rising issue. There are two main organizations that measure poverty in Israel. One is an official government agency, The National Insurance Institute and the other is a highly reputable NGO, “Latet”, that researches poverty and food insecurity. Both reports agree on the chilling statistics that more than 20% of households in Israel are poor and that more than a third of all Israeli children live under the poverty line as indicated in the reports.

    For me, these statistics are just crazy. Several NGO’s in Israel do remarkable work aiming to reduce the rates of poverty, including “Lehitiv”, based in our Partnership 2Gether region and managed by our own Eviatar Baksis, a former Shaliach in the community. Yet the rates have been rising over the years. The recent numbers from the current pandemic are still inconclusive.

    Purim, that funny joyful holiday, asks us to take action related to the poor. One of the Mitzvot, the obligations of Purim, is to give a gift to two poor people, as written in the Book Of Ester: “these were to be days of feasting and joy, of sending gifts to one another and to the poor” (9:22).

    The great Jewish philosopher, Maimonides, says: “One should rather spend more money on gifts to the poor than on his Purim banquet and presents to his friends. No joy is greater and more glorious than the joy of gladdening the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the strangers. He who gladdens the heart of these unhappy people imitates God.” (Mishneh Torah, Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah).

    But how does that help poverty? Does this just make us feel good about ourselves and create a clean conscious?

    Over the past few years, my sister Hadas and I have distributed gifts made by students from the high schools where we taught. We delivered 50 or more “Mishloach Manot” (gift/care packages) to the less fortunate, with the hope that in a small way we, along with our students, would add some joy to their holiday. It was not food we were giving away, but rather the feeling that they are worthy of receiving a gift, and not just basic supplies that they usually receive from different funds and NGO’s. We hoped that we were able to share a message of empathy and understanding and let them feel that they are an integral part of Israeli society, that they are one of us.

    I am looking forward for next year, when times will enable it, to find the way to fulfill this important and beautiful Mitzvah.

  • A Message From Former “Shinshinit” Noa Sabag

    Hi there my second family, It’s Noa Sabag the shinshinit.

    I’m here to tell you a little bit about my army experience so far. I was drafted to be an intelligence investigator in the Navy. I can’t explain the exact role definition and will let your imagination do the job😊.

    I passed a long training during which I had to wake up around 5 am and stay up until very late hours and now started another program so it’s not always easy but I can say that I’m proud to be a part of IDF.

    As you are all going through this odd time in the Covid-19 pandemic reality and new world, the army is taking it very seriously too. The meaning of this new pandemic reality for me, is that my training will be taking more time, I will be spending a lot less time at home and we are divided by “capsules” so it is not always easy to meet new people but it gives us more opportunities to really get to know the soldiers in my capsule and if you are a positive person like me, it can feel like summer camp 😊.

    Miss you all, and hope we’ll be able to meet each other soon!

  • “Why don’t I usually go to protests in Israel?”

    by Yiftah Leket

    Don’t get me wrong, every now and then I do join a rally about issues I care about. The latest ones were demonstrations for the awareness about climate change, as well as a major protest against the policy of dealing with the refugees in Israel.

    But, although I believe protesting is important in raising awareness to create change on issues that otherwise would be neglected, I have found it more difficult to find my voice at protests. Not because I do not relate to the issues that are brought up in those protests, but mainly because of the way they are run. It appears that protests have become more and more violent, a place for people to express not only their pain and beliefs, but also their aggression. Even the most worthy of causes such as the handicap protest, which is calling for government stipends for the disabled and elderly to be increased to NIS 5,300 ($1,500) so that it matches the monthly minimum wage, or the  Ethiopian Protest demonstrations that took place in 2019 over the killing of an unarmed Ethiopian Israeli teen or The Black Flag movement,  a movement made up of Israelis across the political spectrum against the erosion of state institutions, emphasizing the  harm to the system of rule and law, have all had their share of violence.

    Ironically, promoting the notion of peace is, for example, brought up to the stage, by some, in a violent way. I am not aiming to be judgmental, as maybe there is a place for violence in certain cases and maybe sometimes it is the only way. I don’t know. What I do know is that over the years, important as they were, violence and hatred has become an integral part of any protest.

    Even if the legitimacy of violence in civil action is debatable, there is no doubt about one thing — in the last couple of years we have seen violence levels rising in every aspect, where violence has been raging in the discourse created by politicians and between political groups from different sides of the political map. This is also evident in the discourse of the general public over social media as well as in demonstrations between rivalry groups, protestors and the police. By taking part or even just reading about almost any protest in Israel, one cannot avoid facing the fact that violence plays a central role.

    During one of the most politically fragmented eras known in Israel’s history and approaching the fourth election in two years, Israelis from across the political spectrum ask themselves if a riot like the one that took place on January 6 at the US Capitol could happen in Israel in the near future. I am not sure the right question is whether a crowd of people might actually  break into the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), but rather if the level of violence in Israel is going to cross the red line in these tense days of instability.

    Back to my world…a person who has deeply affected me as a humanist educator, is the late Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). From Birmingham’s jail, MLK wrote a letter which in many ways has molded the way that I view civil action.  I find two excerpts most meaningful and relevant: “Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” In other words, winning a political battle, with violence, cannot create a strong united society that is able to overcome future challenges and winning with violence weakens everybody, even the winners themselves.

    MLK not only saw that to love your political enemy was a base level for discussion, but he saw it as the most powerful political tool to create change. In his Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech he said:  “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

    For me, celebrating MLK day enhances my choice to have become an educator.  It is in “my bones” to create change with love. It’s not easy and it’s a constant inner struggle, as it takes time, patience, and the will to love people that sometimes hate you. Or, as Erich Fromm described it in his book, The Art of Love: “If I truly love one person I love all persons, I love the world, I love life.”

    The highest expression of love is not by doing so for one person, but being able to do so for any person (even those giving me a hard time…).

    I decided that for me, education is the primary way of creating an authentic and sustainable change, with love, day by day.

    When we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it is a reminder for both Israelis and Americans alike to advocate for our beliefs. We should judge the violence that slowly became a major part of our discourse and civil action as something that threatens the idea of being a democratic nation.

  • The Etty Hillesum Israeli Youth Theatre

    Voice of Youth – “Kol Ha’Noar”

    A message from a JFMD funding recipient

    Each year a group of 75 teens, Jews and Arabs, come to the Youth Theatre up to five afternoons a week where they receive a hot meal and learn writing, directing, acting, voice development, costume and mask design, lighting and sound. The classes are taught by some of the best theater teachers in Israel. These studies enable at-risk youth, some in the process of dropping out of education frameworks, to be on stage, to be heard, to be seen and to integrate through theater tools and skills. During the Covid-19 Crisis, the city of Jaffa has been declared a “red city” in terms of rate of infection. It was very challenging to continue a regular theater program during this time. This led to maintain studies in capsules and adding more teaching hours. Despite the uncertain and difficult situation, the theatre continues activities with the students in Jaffa abiding to the Health Ministry restrictions and guidelines. It is a very sensitive time for the youth, their families, and the teachers, yet the theatre decided to continue to meet with the students in the afternoons, opening three new classes during the daytime at high-risk high schools as well as delivering food to the families twice a week due to difficult financial situations as a result of the lockdowns.

    Some of the Youth Theatre students have acting roles in movies; this year they received numerous calls from film and series talent hunters, inviting the students to auditions. Auditions were scheduled, contracts were signed and the youth received salaries. The social coordinator accompanied them, advocating their rights as well as motivating them. Since then, 13 of the youth considered have been accepted to parts in films and TV series. This vocational channel that was opened is exactly what completes the association’s agenda. Theater studies and participation in the ensemble is a tool to teach at risk youth how to exit the cycle of poverty and violence while developing employment skills as contributing members of society.

    A Personal story: The story of A.

    About four years ago A’s father murdered his wife, A’s mother and since then has been serving a life sentence. A. lives with his older brother, his wife and children but he is forced to take care of himself. Two years ago, he entered the Youth Theater’s ensemble and since then he claims his life was transformed for the best. At the ensemble, A. receives daily hot meals, acting lessons with the best teachers, and  there is always someone to listen to his needs and difficulties. He discovered his talent in the ensemble where he gains praises for his roles. He won first place in a dialogue competition at the “Autumn Theater Festival,” and first place in the “Jaffa Talent Competition,” and has already appeared in two movies. The future is looking bright for him.

    “I began my experience at the ensemble as an insecure child with nothing to do in the afternoon, without friends and even without any talent. I studied in the ensemble for almost two years and I feel like my life has changed completely since I joined. I now feel confident, I have friends and I discovered an acting talent and I am part of a group with endless support from my team. Thanks to the encouragement, support, and time that was invested in my personal development and the caring that I received, as well as standing in front of the camera and being applauded by people I don’t know. It feels heavenly and just makes me happier and more eager for my next challenge.”


  • Israel 2020 – The Year in Review

    By Naomi Miller, Director of Missions, and JFMD Israel Representative

    Many of us will look back at 2020 and see it as the year that should be scrapped from the calendar, the annus horribilis of pandemic, economic crisis, travel restrictions and isolation.

    Yet, Israel supplied a lot of good news in the areas of peace, innovation, sports, aerospace and entertainment. Here’s a small taste that could help us see 2020 as an annus mirabilis.

    Peace

    2020 was a banner year for exciting normalization agreements with Israel’s neighbors. To date, there are agreements with seven countries. Previous agreements were few and far between. In 1977, after 29 years as nations at war, Israel and Egypt signed the first treaty, known as the Camp David Accords. In October 1994, Israel made peace with its eastern neighbor, Jordan. But this year has seen a record five agreements initiated by the U.S. and Israel.  On September 15, the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement was signed on the White House lawn, initiating full recognition and normalization between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain. A similar agreement with Sudan followed in October.  December has seen two new agreements: one with the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, known as the Fruit of Peace Agreement and the other with Morocco.

    Innovation

    According to Start Up Nation Central, 2020 was a record year for capital raised by Israeli companies. By early December, Israeli firms had raised $9.5 billion in capital, 20% more than the 2019 figure of $7.7 billion.

    Israel was ranked #1 on Mastercard’s Index of Women Entrepreneurs in 58 world economies. The report announced that 87% of female-led businesses were impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Israel was noted for its increased development of digital skills to adapt to the crisis and for offering greater access to tertiary education for women.

    Sports

    Israel has been starring on the front pages of sports editions. For the first time in its basketball history, two Israelis have been chosen to play for the NBA. Deni Avdija, 19, the youngest player on the Maccabi Tel Aviv premier league team, was a top-10 pick (a first time for any Israeli) and will play for the Washington Wizards.  Another 19-year-old, Yam Madar, was selected by the Boston Celtics in their second round.

    A number of Israeli athletes have conquered European titles. In men’s gymnastics, Artem Dolgopyat took gold for the floor routine and bronze for the vault exercises at the European Championships. Rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram took home gold in the all-around title, inspired by her Israeli teammates, who also won the gold medal just two days earlier in the group all-around category. Peter Paltchik also won gold at the European Judo Championships. Israelis are keen to hear Hatikva, the national anthem, played at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. To date, Israel has taken home nine Olympic medals, including one gold, won by Gal Friedman for sailing in 2004 at Athens. 

    Israelis in space

    Israel’s second astronaut will be heading into outer space. Eytan Stibbe is a decorated colonel fighter pilot with over four decades of experience in the Israel Air Force. At 62, he will be one of the oldest astronauts on record. He is a successful businessman and founder of a capital fund developing and financing initiatives in the developing world. He is underwriting his own participation in the program and is expected to join the SpaceX rocket for a mission to the International Space Station in late 2021. He was a personal friend of Israel’s first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, who was killed with his six crew members on the Columbia Space Shuttle that crashed in 2003.

    Covid-19

    Israel is now leading the world in the number of people vaccinated, per capita. Since the beginning of the vaccination campaign, known as “Give a Shoulder”, almost half a million Israelis have had the first of the two vaccination shots and as of January 10, the second round has started. The four Israeli public HMO’s have been most efficient and organized, and it is expected that public health system HMOs will continue to vaccinate up to 100,000 Israelis daily with almost all Israelis over the age of 16 being vaccinated by the Passover holiday at the end of March 2021.

    Politics

    Another record that Israel is leading in, (unfortunately?), is the number of elections in a two-year period. The democratic process in Israel calls for elections for the Prime Minister and Knesset every four years, unless the Knesset is dissolved or the leading coalition no longer holds a 61-seat majority of the 120 seats. Elections had been set for November 2019 but were brought forward to March 2019 after the government was dissolved. Six months later, Israelis were back at the polls in September 2019 after the incumbent Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, failed to form a majority coalition. A political deadlock was created again, with both Netanyahu and opposition leader, Benny Gantz of the Blue and White party, unable to muster a governing majority, so the third election in less than a year was held on March 2, 2020. The Knesset has struggled to deal with a consistent Covid pandemic policy as well as pass a state budget which demands another election, the fourth in two years, set for March 23, 2021. 

    Ending on a note about a very impressive Israeli — Israel’s “Shero” and global wonder woman, Gal Gadot, appears in her new film, Wonder Woman 1984, released on HBO Max on Christmas Day. Ironically, as there is no HBO Max available in Israel, Israelis will have to wait to see it when the pandemic ends and the movie theaters reopen.

  • Words and Action: A Shabbat Message

    Words and Action: A Shabbat Message

    We come to the end of a long and turbulent week for our country and local communities. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has revealed, once again, the malignant power of racism.

    As Jews, we need little reminder. Sadly, we are used to bearing witness to acts of hatred, to mourning its victims and to demanding, in its wake, a safer and more humane world.

    Just as we have grieved for the many victims of anti-Semitism, we now grieve alongside the Black community and express our heartfelt condolences to George Floyd’s family. We also recognize and honor the numerous others who have been targeted and killed because of the color of their skin. Alongside Jewish organizations across the nation, we call for an end to racial bigotry and violence wherever and however it may manifest.

    Many have rightly noted that words alone are not sufficient. But as individuals and as a united community, we struggle to understand how so much hatred can still exist in our society and to identify what we can do in response.

    The core tenets of Judaism offer a way forward. We are reminded to not only cherish and respect all people, but also to stand with victims of hatred and bigotry and to call out injustice when it appears. As we noted in our recent statement, the Federation is founded and run on Jewish values, and we remain actively committed to the eradication of hate.

    One of the most important ways we engage in this work is through our support and partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC of Metropolitan Detroit, an organization whose mission includes the building of collaborative relationships with other ethnic, racial and religious groups. The JCRC/AJC translates values into actions through a variety of education, outreach and advocacy programs.

    One such program is the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity, which has been working to promote solidarity among Detroit Jews and African-Americans while tackling issues affecting both groups. The JCRC/AJC and the Coalition have been on the front lines of the effort to combat racism and intolerance, working together to end racial bigotry and anti-Semitism.

    On behalf of the JCRC/AJC, we invite you to join “Racial Inequity in These Trying Times,” next Thursday, June 11 at 11:30 a.m. regarding how the state is responding to racial disparities. You can register here. You may also be interested in viewing the recording of this week’s online event with the African-American leaders of the Coalition.

    Showing up for events such as this—learning, communicating and raising your hand in protest, when necessary, alongside members of the black community—marks a small but important step forward. Lending your voice and spirit can tip the balance, however subtly, toward a more just and equitable society for all.

    As we head into Shabbat, we wish everyone the blessings of peace and comfort, health and happiness for their family and loved ones.

    Beverly B. Liss
    President
    Jewish Federation of Detroit
    Alan Jay Kaufman
    President
    United Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit