Over the past week and a half, we’ve seen Jewish Michiana come together during Chanukah to laugh, listen, and light the way forward — embracing community, showing up to support our institutions, and extending open arms to new friends and families.
It was so meaningful to see our community gathered at the recent Downtown Menorah Lighting at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend. In addition to lighting the giant chanukiah in the plaza, we had the privilege of publicly honoring eight individuals who bring light to others throughout the year — our 2025 Community Lamplighters.
2025 Community Lamplighters
Bob Feferman has long been a bridge-builder in our community — open-minded, even-keeled, and always extending a hand in friendship. He has been a guiding force behind the Israeli Emissary program and a steady voice of insight and education. Through his leadership, Bob has fostered meaningful interfaith relationships and strengthened connections across our broader community with thoughtfulness and respect.
Bonny Hoover is often the first to volunteer, offering her time and care quietly and consistently, week after week. She looks after others behind the scenes without being asked, simply because she sees a need and steps in. To many, Bonnie has been a guardian angel — a steady, compassionate presence for people during moments when they need it most.
Bekki Lindow & Tammie Blackman Brown care for our Jewish cemetery with grace, sensitivity, and deep respect. In moments of loss, they offer grieving families comfort and reassurance, ensuring every detail is handled with dignity. Their tireless dedication honors both the memory of those who have passed and the families they leave behind, preserving a sacred space with compassion and care.
For 30 years, Rabbi Michael Friedland has served not only Sinai Synagogue, but the entire South Bend area through his advocacy for its most vulnerable citizens. Kind, compassionate; patient, and caring. Learned, thoughtful, considerate, wise, and with it! He will be missed upon his retirement in June, but he can be counted on to continue giving back to our city as a friend, father and grandfather, scholar, personal advisor, and community leader.
Mary Fisher is this year’s lamplighter for Temple Beth-El. Mary is a quiet person who spreads light wherever she goes, especially through her skills as a cook and baker. She brings meals and challah to community members, bakes beautiful challah for our Shabbat celebrations, and always says yes when asked to help with anything. We are grateful to have her bringing light in everything she does.
Rebecca Wagman, a sophomore at Penn High School, has brought light to our community through her work establishing and organizing the Jewish Culture Club at Penn. When she started this club, it was because she saw something missing—a space for Jewish students at Penn to connect, feel seen, and celebrate their identity. In a school full of clubs for other faiths, she made sure Judaism had a voice. Thanks to her vision, this club not only strengthens Jewish visibility but also opens the door for others to learn about and appreciate Jewish culture.
Eight years ago, Jody Fried inspired our community with an idea: we should come together at Chanukah and stand proudly as a Jewish community in the public square. Because Jody is so well-connected, we were to invite South Bend’s mayor, then Pete Buttigieg and now Mayor James Mueller. Throughout the year, Jody lights the way for new folks to our Jewish community to find where they fit in, introducing them to our Rabbis, to new friends at synagogue, and creating new points of connection. Jody is the ultimate people person and exudes a welcoming presence that benefits our entire Jewish community.