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. Take a listen!
For nearly four decades, Bernie Smilovitz brought humor, heart and his unmistakable personality to WDIV Channel 4, making sports feel welcoming to everyone. In this episode of FedRadioDetroit, Bernie joins Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss to share stories from life on and off camera, including the Yiddish-speaking home that shaped his humor and the Detroit career that made him a local icon. He also reflects on growing up as the son of Holocaust survivors, the sudden loss of his wife, Dr. Donna Rockwell, and the mindfulness lesson that continues to guide him: keep going. Warm, funny and deeply honest, Bernie still has plenty of wisdom and heart to share.
12 Feb 2026
The Heart and Soul Behind Detroit’s Friendship Circle
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.
22 Jul 2025
My Year as a Shinshinit in Detroit
Bringing their passion for Israel to Jewish communities for a year of cultural exchange, Shinshinim defer their military service to serve as young emissaries. Hear from former Detroit Shinshinit Ori Herman about her experience in our community, including her work in our Hebrew day schools to the surprising differences between Israeli and American kids.
As Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss sit down with Ori, you’ll also hear Ori interview her friend Alma Rozen, another gap-year volunteer. Alma shares about her powerful work with autistic and cognitively impaired individuals—and how it’s everything she imagined.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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