FedRadio Detroit

Recorded during the Hanukkah season, Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss are joined by two distinguished and inspiring guests: Rabbi Ammi Hirsch and Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, a dynamic brother-sister duo. Rabbi Hirsch, Senior Rabbi at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City, is a renowned thought leader, podcast host, author and one of the Jerusalem Post's 50 most influential Jews of the year. Dr. Pescovitz, President of Oakland University, boasts a remarkable career of accolades and accomplishments including pediatric endocrinologist, investigator and author of over 190 papers and books.The episode delves into a range of compelling topics, including reflections on the lessons of Hanukkah, the potential end of the Golden Age for the U.S. Jewish community, the balance between free speech and unlawful harassment on college campuses, and other evolving perspectives among college administrators. 

Nothing motivates Jason Raznick quite like being told he can't. The co-founder and Executive Chairman of Benzinga sits down with Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss to share how he takes a “no” and turns it into “yes.” For this self-described start-up junkie and mental health advocate, it all comes down to Doing vs Talking. In our featured collaboration with the Detroit Jewish News, we talk to David Silver, whose non-profit, Detroit Horse Power, connects Detroit youth to horses to build their social emotional skills.

Local 4 Meteorologist Emeritus Paul Gross joins co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss for a captivating chat about everything under the sun. From his important work on the science of climate change (including small tips we can do to make a big difference), where his Jewish upbringing and career intersect and some of the people he's come across in his 40- year broadcast career.

Lior Zisser-Yogev, Federation's community Shlica (Israel emissary) talks to Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss in a powerful, engaging and heart-wrenching, yet hopeful, conversation including the memory of her brother Ilay Zisser (z”l) an IDF commander who was killed in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack. Listen in as 15-year-old Lily Liss takes over the hosting reins in a thought-provoking interview with her Great Grandmother Sherry Kohen. From growing up in Nazi-era Europe to concentration camp survival to life in a new state of Israel and more, it's a history worth hearing. Finally, in our featured collaboration with the Detroit Jewish News, we'll learn how Federation Women's Philanthropy is empowering women professionals through the Jewish Working Women's Network. 

On this episode, Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss have the special honor of welcoming Jane Sherman to the FedRadioDetroit podcast. With the values passed down from her father, Max M. Fisher (z”l), this powerful leader has touched Jewish lives in Michigan, her beloved Israel, and around the world with a passion that never wanes.

Amid the sorrow of the horrific terror attack on Israel and the war with Hamas, Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss sit down with Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council/ AJC, to share his mission, ambition and hope going forward.

On this episode, Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss are honored to welcome Nicole Eisenberg. From mortgage broker to Broadway producer, she's lived a life she never could have planned.

On this episode, Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss are honored to welcome The Honorable Bernard Friedman to the pod.

On this FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss sit down with Kari Alterman, a leader committed to our community since camp.

On this rebroadcast of a FedRadioDetroit favorite, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome Gary Torgow, a community leader grounded in faith.

Our new FedRadioDetroit podcast features an honest, heartwarming discussion with Andy Doctoroff, a builder of bridges both personally and professionally.

On this FedRadioDetroit podcast recorded just after the November 2022 midterm elections, we sit down with Former Michigan State Senator Gilda Jacobs, a pioneer of politics, policy and... patience.

On the new FedRadioDetroit podcast we sit down with Mark Davidoff, the humble Jewish Detroit leader and, hopefully, never the smartest person in a room.

On the new FedRadioDetroit, a conversation with Mitch Albom and his life beyond just the author and columnist we know.

What am I doing today to help someone? It's a question we should all be asking ourselves, just like Linda Schlessinger-Wagner. On this episode, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome this inspiring, successful businesswoman and owner of the “skinnytees apparel company.” Linda shares her amazing story of ups and downs woven into a life of success, service, joy and perseverance.

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome Adam Blanck, a Jewish community leader bringing ideas that bring people together.  

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome Gary Torgow, a community leader grounded in faith.

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome Jackie Kallen, The First Lady of Boxing.

Eclectic doesn't begin to describe his life experiences. Ethan Davidson, Chairman of the Grants Committee of the William Davidson Foundation, is this month's guest.

While FedRadioDetroit enjoys a brief summer hiatus, we're excited to bring you this mini episode featuring Geoff Kretchmer, President of Tamarack Camps who fills us in on their new CAMPaign for Change.

Be prepared to be inspired. Rabbi Yisrael Pinson, Executive Director of Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit (also known as Chabad in the D) and Founder and Board Director of the Orchard Academy, a nonreligious public charter school opening in Detroit this fall, is our guest.

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome Steve Ingber, new CEO of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitain Detroit into the studio to discuss his new role and vision for Federation's continued impact in the community.

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome the iconic Florine Mark into the (virtual) studio to talk about her career as a successful businesswoman and a lifetime of helping others.

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-host Sam Dubin takes us inside the halls of Hillel Day School, where students have been learning in person in person throughout the pandemic. Then he and co-host Beverly Liss welcome Dr. Darin Katz, Hillel’s Head of School, to the virtual studio to take it all in.

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome Shimon Levy to the virtual studio.

On this episode of FedRadioDetroit, co-hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcome Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin of Michigan's 8th District to the virtual studio.

Pastor Aramis Hinds and Rabbi Ariana Silverman continue their ongoing conversations about race, religion, community and equality on this month’s episode of FedRadioDetroit.

Enjoy this bonus mini episode that shines a spotlight on the important work of JVS Human Services, a Federation supported agency that has been assisting job seekers for over 79 years. FedRadioDetroit host Sam Dubin welcomed Paul Blatt, CEO of JVS, into the virtual studio this month to share how the agency has pivoted their work and evolved their services to meet the needs of the community during COVID-19. In addition to assisting job seekers, Paul discusses how JVS has expanded their reach to include working with people with disabilities in community inclusion and vocational spaces as well as a partnership with Jewish Senior Life and The Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program. To listen to this mini episode and check out more episodes of FedRadioDetroit click here. 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.

On this month’s episode of FedRadioDetroit, Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss welcomed a true community all-star into the virtual studio, Hannan Lis. A leader in both the business and not-for-profit worlds, Hannan’s resume is long and impressive and includes titles such as Chief Operating Officer and Board Member of WW Group, Principal at GSH Group, Founder and Chair of Firebolt Group Inc., Venture Capitalist at Lis Ventures, Chairman of the Yoga Shelter, Past-chair of Forgotten Harvest and Chairman of Detroit Public Television. While Hannan's involvement in the community takes many forms, from his outspoken advocacy for Israel, to his many businesses and philanthropic work, these endeavors all reflect his passion to make the world around him a better place.Born in Haifa, Israel, Hannah joined a socialist youth movement as a teenager. After his army service, he began living and working on a kibbutz where he met his wife, native Detroiter Lisa Mark Lis. When the couple moved to Michigan, Hannan began working for the family business, WW Group (formerly Weight Watchers). Hannan says that he learned so much from his mother-in-law and the founder of the first Weight Watchers franchise in Michigan, Florene Mark, who he praised for her commitment to women and women’s issues as well as helping people to live a healthy life.In addition to his role as COO of WW Group, Hannan is also a venture capitalist and explains the work as a combination of Ross Business School and slot machines in Vegas. “Working in the venture areas teaches you humility very quickly. As you do it more and more, you learn how to bet better, and also how not to be so disappointed when something doesn’t go your way,” he said.Hannan goes on to talk about the meaningful work he has done with Detroit Public Television and Forgotten Harvest, two non-profits with missions very close to his heart. “It’s a shonda that the wealthiest country in the world has thousands of people in Metro Detroit who have food insecurity,” he said when discussing the important work of Forgotten Harvest.In closing and when asked what his wish for the Jewish new year is, he said “I hope people remember that the world belongs to the optimist. Optimism is what has kept the Jews going all these years. Optimism is a Jewish value, and I hope we all will regain our sense of optimism.”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. Subscribe to explore previous episodes and stay tuned for a new episode next month!

Jay Kaplan always knew he was going to become an attorney. He also always knew he wanted to do something to help people. “I knew that my niche was in the area of social justice," he notes in his recent interview on the FedRadioDetroit podcast. "The whole trajectory of my career has been doing public interest law." Jay also explains how his Jewish background gave him a foundation in tikkun olam and taught him to look out for the interest of others and make sure all people are being treated fairly. Jay began his legal career in Metro Detroit 35 years ago, and in the last three and a half decades he has made an immeasurable difference in countless lives. He began working for Legal Services, representing indigent tenants, and then helped to start the first HIV/AIDS legal service program with the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service. Now Jay is an attorney for the ACLU’s LGBT Project. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is a nonprofit organization founded "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.” The ACLU has been doing LGBTQ rights work for decades, but Michigan is one of only four states with stand-alone LGBTQ legal service projects focusing specifically on issues in their own states. Jay explains that despite the marriage equality act, there is much more to be done to ensure that members of the LGBTQ community have equal rights— from parental rights to protection against discrimination. “I am an optimistic person, but we have a long way to go,” he said. Listen to the full episode and hear more about Jay’s work with the ACLU, landmark cases he has been a part of and his hopes for the future. 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. Subscribe to explore previous episodes and stay tuned for a new episode next month.

With increased unemployment, newfound financial hardships and economic uncertainty at an all-time high, shining a spotlight on Yad Ezra, one of the community’s most essential sources of help and hope, was an obvious choice for FedRadioDetroit this month. Yad Ezra is Metro Detroit’s kosher food pantry, serving the community for over 30 years.

A farewell interview with NinaYahalomi KlevitskyFedRadioDetroit welcomed Nina Yahalomi Klevitsky, JAFI’s shlicha (emissary) assigned to the Detroit Jewish community, into the socially distant studio this month for a farewell and reflection on her time here in Detroit. Nina arrived three years ago with her husband and two little girls. She leaves with one new family member (a son), countless connections and priceless memories. “I came here more Israeli, and I’m leaving here more Jewish,” Nina said.The job of a JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) shlicha is to “build bridges,” Nina explained to FedRadioDetroit hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss. “You can’t love a country, it’s too big. You love people. And the relationships you build between people builds the love for the country.”During her time here, Nina has provided education programs about Israel throughout the community, spent summers at Tamarack helping to oversee the Israeli Camper Program and facilitated conversations and experiences that have allowed Detroiters to feel closer to Israel. Nina and family will head back to Israel at the end of July. When asked, Nina said there is no doubt that what she will miss most about her time in Detroit is the people. “We were so lucky to have a second family in our home away from home.” FedRadio Detroit is Federation’s podcast series hosted by Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss and featuring big personalities from Jewish Detroit’s diverse cast of characters. Subscribe to explore previous episodes and stay tuned for a new episode next month.

In FedRadio's fourth episode, Carolyn Bellinson speaks about Brilliant Detroit, the non-profit she co-founded with her husband Jim. Brilliant Detroit works with families to address issues of early childhood literacy in Detroit neighborhoods.

In FedRadioDetroit’s third episode, Federation’s Susie Feldman tells her harrowing tale of surviving domestic abuse and how the Jewish community was there for her every step of the way.

In FedRadioDetroit’s Second Episode, Dr. Howard Lupovitch Defines, Debunks and Details Anti-Semitism’s Past and Present After the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburg, everything changed for Jewish Americans. You could no longer talk about anti-Semitism in America the way you could the day before. That may sound like a bold statement, but it’s one that Dr. Howard Lupovitch makes and backs up in FedRadioDetroit’s most recent episode. “For a long time in the United States, anti-Semitism was a relatively marginal phenomenon,” says Lupovitch. “We could talk about a significant difference between anti-Semitism in Europe and anti-Semitism in the United States, because, up until a year ago, anti-Semitism in the US had been largely non-violent. [Tree of Life] really changed the situation. It was the first instance of real mass violence against Jews in America..” Dr. Lupovitch is an associate professor of history and director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University. He specializes in modern Jewish History, specifically the Jews of Hungary and the Habsburg Monarchy. He is also a well-known author and lecturer and one of our foremost experts on the topic of anti-Semitism here in the Metro Detroit area. FedRadioDetroit hosts Beverly Liss and Sam Dubin welcomed Dr. Lupovitch in the studio earlier this month to discuss the alarming rise anti-Semitism in the United States. In this episode, he also explains the history of hate against Jews in this country and clarify some common misunderstandings including the difference between right and left wing anti-Semitism and what we really mean when we say “anti-Semitism” and “anti-Zionism.” You can listen to the episode in its entirety. Stay tuned for Episode #3 coming out next month.

FedRadio Detroit's first guest is none other than former Federation CEO Scott Kaufman. Scott shares his journey into Jewish leadership, reflects on his decade long run as CEO and what he hopes to accomplish in this next chapter of his personal and professional story.