A home for Jewish life and culture in the City
Spring 2025 Newsletter
Mazel Tov to our newest Bat Mitzvah – Irena Rose Lorenz
On February 15, 2025 Irena, the daughter of Erin Einhorn and David Lorenz, was called to the bima at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, and, with members of RCD enthusiastically singing and supporting her in the packed sanctuary, she led the service and chanted from the Torah. Her proud family listened as she chanted flawlessly, having been mentored by IADS member Joe Lewis. See the photo of Irena, with her proud Dad, David Lorenz. After the candy was thrown, and the service was done, the congregation had lunch on the 4th floor of the IADS building, which is now a great space for parties. Determined to maintain these abilities after all their hard work, Irena and her Mom later provided essential help for the RCD/IADS Partnership service on March 29, 2025. We look forward to seeing you on the bima many times, Irena Rose!
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Spring 2025 Newsletter
RCD Seder for 2025 – small, but intense fun and good food
This year’s seder was in person at the Weisfelds’ home in April, but at the end of Pesach, due to extenuating circumstances. Nonetheless, the kosher wine was up to its usual standards, and so was the brisket. The conversation was lengthy and super stimulating. See the selfie photo of the crowd on the photo page. From left to right, see Mary Rappazzo, Lisa Rapport, Jeff Stern, Glenn Weisfeld, Brad Roth, Stephanie Dillof, Tony Dillof, and Carol Weisfeld. Regrettably, many RCD members were unable to attend. Carol brought leftovers the next day to Barbara Levin, who mostly sticks to her apartment these days. See that picture, as well. Barbara was very excited to see everyone in the group photo, and she sends her best to her friends in RCD. Next year in Detroit with a larger group!
Spring 2025 Newsletter
Remembering Al Saperstein
Professor Al Saperstein passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on March 13, 2025. He was 94 years old. With the support of his wife Harriet, and his daughters Rina and Shira and other family members, he had survived multiple illnesses, including a life-threatening infection some years ago with West Nile virus. Following his passing, he was remembered at home for an evening of shiva and recollections, and he was remembered later at a packed gathering of friends and fellow congregants at Congregation T’chiyah. He leaves behind so many good memories for us members of RCD. He and Harriet were founding members of our little synagogue, and both served on our Board from the beginning; in addition, for many years Al served as our Vice President. We remember his wise Torah discussions, his good counsel as a leader, and the many ways he touched us all with his open friendship and good humor. The photo page shows many RCD gatherings where Al and Harriet were part of the social scene.
Al’s influence extended far and wide. He taught in the Physics Department at Wayne State for 6 decades, where he and Harriet endowed a scholarship to support Physics students. As RCD member and fellow WSU professor Lisa Rapport put it, “Al was a dedicated teacher who was passionate about maximizing student achievement and retention. He served on university commissions on improving student success and regularly volunteered for events that facilitated faculty-student contact.” He was a Fulbright scholar, traveling around the world, for conferences of groups of scholars who were dedicated to finding global pathways to peace. He and Harriet were longtime supporters of WSU’s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, where they established an endowed chair that supports the leadership position in the center today. The memorial obituary statement on the WSU website says it eloquently:
“Al Saperstein was the type of impactful faculty leader that is so unique to Wayne State: Detroit-powered, yet globally engaged,” Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D said. “He challenged us across decades to think bigger and bolder and to always remember that changing the world starts locally. His support of transformative scholarly research, conflict-resolution and Detroit connection leaves a profound legacy. He will be greatly missed by our entire university community.”
Indeed, Al will be missed by communities far beyond the university. In his spare time, Al supported the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan by serving as a docent for multiple historic tours. He was a volunteer at the Michigan Science Center in the Cultural Center. He and Harriet supported RCD, T’chiyah, the Grosse Pointe Jewish Council, and the Downtown Synagogue – all at the same time! Al’s work as a volunteer was recognized with an award from Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit in 2018.
