FedRadio Detroit

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.

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.

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.

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.