THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, May 23, 1975 13 Detroiters Gather in Israel on Lag 6' Omer Holiday Editor's Note: Harold Kempner, the author of this interesting report from Israel, was a promi- nent Detroit social worker and community activist. He went on aliya to Israel, where he joined his chil- dren, in 1973. their accomplishments in true "naches fun kinder" fashion. Mrs. Marshall Goldman, whose husband is presently manager of a Natanya ho- tel, was equally proud of her children, aged 15, 16 and 18, who have become fully inte- grated. The oldest, Mari- lyn, is entering the Sherut La'am service, a Vista-like component in lieu of army service for religious girls. By HAROLD KEMPNER Former Detroiters pic- nicked on Lag b'Omer at a site encircled by an ancient 'le forest and springs in Judean Hills. The reu- nion was the annual outing of old and new olim from the Detroit area at Ein Hemed national park, near the main highway to Jeru- salem. The picnic grounds turned into an island of former Oak Park, Southfield and De- troit residents who shared memories of bygone days and exchanged problems and joys of living in their newly-formed homeland. It was the nostalgia of landsleit gathered at annual reunion and eager to learn about old friends and places. The annual Lag b'Omer gathering, the fourth since 1970, is the brainchild of several Detroiters now residents of Jerusalem. Through personal contacts and meetings they kept alive an informal group of ex-Detroiters residing in the Jerusalem area. An advertisement in the Jerusalem Post brought sev- eral minyans from the De- troit area, including a group of senior students of Akiva Hebrew Day School now studying in Jerusalem. The organizers were Mrs. Chuck Levi, Israel (Harold) Lax and Mrs. Reishai Kra- kower. They were assisted HAROLD KEMPNER by Mrs. Marshall Goldman, Yehuda Cern and Dina Le- bow, all of the Jerusalem area. There were surprise guests at the reunion: Char- lotte and Harold Dubin, Mrs. Boris Joffe and Max Carmen. Several students now attending Hebrew Univer- sity joined, particularly for the baseball and foot- ball sessions, to the delight of the surrounding Israeli Yeshiva bocherim. Larry Sklar, son of William Sklar, and Ken Bruss were the Hebrew scholars who joined the games. The star of the reunion was Zygmont Lax who dubbed himself the "richest" man from Detroit. He is a five-year resident of Raanana. Two of his chil- dren also reside in Israel, and he is "rich" with 12 grandchildren and six great- grandchildren, five of them Sabras. One of his grandchildren, Yehuda Cern, is head of the electrical department of the Jerusalem College of Tech- nology. Zeide Zygmont gathered his brood at the picnic and proudly recited The group from Akiva Hebrew Day School, all 12th graders, included Susan Rothenberg, Terri Leiderman, Sandra Weiss, Minna Selmar, Marlene Gliksberg and Leah Her- man. Lynn Dombey, a re- cent graduate of Akiva joined them at the picnic. (Kempner added in a note that his Hebrew has im- proved so that he now en- joys Israeli television and the newspaper Maariv. As a member of Mismar Ezrochi he patrols weekly from mid- night to 3 a.m. with the same M-1 rifle he had in New Guinea in 1943. He adds, however, "Rehovot is • ■ 1111.1. safe, more than anywhere else in the world and you can walk a free and proud man. JEWELRY U holewth. fierriouttling. ,IrwOrs & SUITE 318 ADVANCE BLDG. 23077 Greenfield at 9 Mile (313) 557-1860 TAMAROFF GIVES UNBEATABLE DEALS ON NEW BUICKS - OPELS - HONDAS • LEASING — ALL MAKES • GUARANTEED USED CARS • DAILY RENTAL • MOTOR HOMES • SERVICE • BODY SHOP—AAA RATED BUICK TAMAROFF OPEL HONDA 353-1300 TELEGRAPH NR. 12 MI THIS IS THE YEAR to visit Israel and observe for ourselves the present quality of its life. THIS IS THE YEAR to repledge our support to the state and its people and the democratic principles they uphold. THIS IS THE YEAR to demonstrate our kinship and affection for the Israelis and laud their courage and love of freedom. "As Jews — as a people who have lived in disper- sion and who have been refugees from and in all parts of the world; as a people who understand profoundly the need of a national homeland and the agonies of not having one — we understand and sympathize with the peo- ple of Vietnam who now seek to rebuild their lives far from their native land. "We call upon all citizens of our country and commu- nity to be mindful of our na- tional and religious heri- tages, and of our responsibilities." `Failure of Talks Good For Israel' TEL AVIV (ZINS) — General Arik Sharon said that the collapse of Kissin- ger's mission was a fortun- ate occurrence for Israel. Had Kissinger's mission to arrange a new agreement between Israel and Egypt succeeded, Sharon added, it would not have prevented a war but merely have made Israel's position more diffi- cult and vulnerable to_heav- ier casualties in case of a new conflict. In commenting on the possibility that Sadat may send troops to the eastern banks of the canal after opening the waterway, Sharon declared that this will be an act of war against Israel and that the Israeli army would have to take strong measures in re- sponse. felt eir% & U aff. h Repturtne Vietnam Refugee Aid Urged The Rabbinical Commis- sion of the Jewish Commu- nity Council of Metropolitan Detroit unanimously adopted a resolution calling upon all Americans to "open their hearts and to extend their helping hands to the people of Vietnam now reaching and settling on our shores." Commission president Rabbi Moses Lehrman of Cong. Bnai Moshe stated that the resolution was adopted in response to re- ports that some Americans were uneasy over the effect that a new wave of immi- gration would have during the current economic diffi- culties. The resolution stated in part: "The American people are now called upon to offer sanctuary to those Viet- namese refugees who wish to live in the United States, in peace and security. . FIRESTONE This is the year to join the JNF PILGRAMAGE AND STUDY MISSION TO ISRAEL departing on July 15 via El Al Israel Airlines 14 Unforgettable Days Transportation, accommodations, food, and sightseeing will $ be excel lent. 111111 , 1111- 11 r1 • FOR DETAILS, PHONE 968-0820 JEWISH NATIONAL FUND 22100 Greenfield. Suite 102 Oak Park. Michigan 48237 SEWN KASEMETH LEISRAEL