Rabbi Levi and Bassie Shemtov, co‑founders of Friendship Circle, join Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss to share the origin story behind one of Detroit’s most beloved Jewish organizations. They reflect on arriving in Detroit as newlyweds, the relationships that shaped their mission, and how a simple question—“Who needs friends?”—sparked a movement supporting thousands of individuals with special needs. From teen volunteer programs to the Farber Soul Center, Soul Café, Dakota Bakery and the Life Skills village, the Shemtovs discuss decades of innovation rooted in dignity, inclusion and unconditional love.
FedRadioDetroit is Federation’s podcast series hosted by Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss and featuring big personalities from Jewish Detroit’s diverse cast of characters.
Explore previous episodes and stay tuned for a new episode here.
