Recent Programs

Judge Learned Hand Award Dinner Honoring Alan E. Schwartz, Esq.

American Jewish Committee, Metropolitan Detroit Chapter honored Alan E. Schwartz Esq. with the Judge Learned Hand Award on June 4. This award is presented to members of the legal community who exemplify the highest principles of justice and equality in their professional and community life.

A Detroit native, Mr. Schwartz attended Cranbrook Schools and holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School. He has nearly 60 years of experience as a corporate attorney, and is a founding partner of Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn LLP, widely regarded as the top Detroit-headquartered law firm.

In addition to professional excellence, Mr. Schwartz is strong, dedicated community leader. He has been involved in such organizations as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, United Way, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit Renaissance, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University and the Kresge Foundation among others.

Mr. Schwartz was presented with the award at a reception at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, where almost 300 leaders from the legal, business, government, and civic communities gathered to pay tribute to him. The keynote speaker for the evening was Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan State Supreme Court. Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Dr. Irvin D. Reid, President of Wayne State University. Due to retire this summer, Dr. Reid was recognized for his leadership at the university and in the community at large, and for his warm relationship with the Jewish community. An avid gardener, Dr. Reid was presented with a tree planted in his honor through the Greening of Detroit, a local non-profit organization. 

Eugene Driker presenting the Judge Learned Hand Award to Alan E. Schwartz

Rogue Regimes: Conversations with Dr. Raymond Tanter 

AJC partnered with other Jewish organizations to host Dr. Raymond Tanter on his recent visit to the Detroit area. Dr. Tanter is a professor of political science at Georgetown University and an adjunct scholar at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, researching U.S. policy options toward Iran. He is also the president of the Iran Policy Committee, a nonprofit, bipartisan organization that advocates a “third alternative” toward the Iran dilemma. 

On June 5, Dr. Tanter was the keynote speaker at an Israel at 60 event co-hosted by AJC and Congregation B’nai Moshe. The following morning, Dr. Tanter spoke at a breakfast briefing for community leaders from AJC, Michigan B’nai Brith, and the Detroit Jewish Community Relations Council. 

Indian-Jewish Dialogue: Civil Liberties in the Era of Terrorism

On June 18^th, American Jewish Committee hosted the spring dinner discussion of the Indian-Jewish Dialogue. This group meets quarterly for cultural exchange and to explore issues of common political and social interest. 

Co-Chaired by Raman Singh and Sheri Schiff, the topic for the evening was Civil Liberties in the Era of Terrorism. Security issues are of shared concern to both the Indian and Jewish communities, as Americans, and in light of the on-going challenges of terrorism faced by Israel and India. Yet as minorities in the United States and as advocates for strong, democratic societies, both communities are sensitive to issues of discrimination and to the need to protect individual freedoms. 

Almost forty members of the Jewish, Hindu, and Sikh communities met at Udipi Restaurant in Farmington Hills to share meal and an evening of conversation. Keynote speaker, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard presented on the topic based on 21 years of law-enforcement and public service experience, including his recent participation in a multi-national, joint-counterterrorism trip to the Middle East.  

AJC Detroit Chapter Annual Meeting featuring Jason Isaacson

On Wednesday, June 25, AJC Detroit hosted its Chapter Annual Meeting, chaired by Chapter Vice President Robert Labe.

Chapter President Kenneth Gold gave a report on the Chapter’s program and advocacy over the past year.

Nominating Committee Chair and Chapter Vice-President Jonathan Frank introduced the slate for elections to the 2008-2009 Chapter Executive Committee and Board of Elections. The Chapter Executive Committee will include for the second year President Kenneth C. Gold; Vice Presidents Amy B. Folbe, Jonathan Frank, Robert D. Gordon, Robert B. Labe, Joshua Yaker, Sheldon S. Toll; and Ex-Officio Andrew S. Doctoroff. Re-elected to the Board of Directors with terms expiring in 2011 included Nancy Becheck Bluth, Harvey Bronstein, Alicia Chandler, Bryant Frank, Lynn Heumann, Sheri Schiff, Brian Witus and Carol Zemon. New member Marc E. Schlussel was elected to the Board of Directors with a term also expiring in 2011.

Jason Isaacson, Director of AJC’s Office of Governmental and International Affairs addressed the chapter as the evening’s keynote speaker. Jason spoke about AJC’s work on global issues, such as the Iran Crisis, as well as the efforts AJC is making toward expanding contact with Arab moderates throughout the Middle East and North Africa. 

 Robert Labe, Andrew Doctoroff, Jason Isaacson and Kenneth Gold at the Detroit Chapter Annual Meeting