44
Friday, May 25, 1984
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Rain drenched,
festive birthday
Continued from Page 1
Susan Wasserman and Marlene
Weiss show off their certificates
after completing Sunday's
11-mile Walk for Israel.
made-in-Israel wares. The merchan-
dise included Israeli jewelry, flowers,
hand-made eye glass frames, and, of
course, food. Borman Foods — parent
company of Detroit's Farmer Jack
stores, had a major display of the Is-
raeli foods it imports and sells in its
stores.
For the artistic, the Center's
lobby also had a beautiful exhibit of
bronze sculpture by Soviet Jewish ar-
tist Chaim Hendin, who is now a citi-
zen of Israel. Pre-schoolers were also
given a chance to be artists at the
special children's program. They
could paint their faces, write a mes-
sage to God, jump across the Jordan
River, eat Israel birthday cake and
were treated to a magic show.
For the more serious celebrants
of Israel's birthday, the afternoon
program in the Center gymnasium
was the highlight. In a re-enactment
of Detroit's massive 1948 rally that
celebrated Israel's declaration of in-
dependence, Jewish community
grande dame Emma Schaver re-
peated her performance of 36 years
ago by beautifully leading the audi-
ence in the "Star Spangled Banner"
and "Hatikvah."
The Jewish News Editor
Emeritus Philip Slomovitz recounted
that historic Detroit rally 36 years
ago which drew an estimated 20,000
persons to Central High School on
just a few days' notice. The throng
was so great that it spilled out onto
Linwood Avenue.
"It wasn't Jews alone,"
Slomovitz said. "The whole world
was electrified by the re-birth of the
State of Israel after 2,000 years."
Slomovitz paid tribute to
President Harry Truman, who rec-
ognized Israel 12 minutes after its
declaration of independence in spite
of the negative advice from his
closest advisers.
Sunday's audience gave ap-
preciative applause to Michigan Lt.
Gov. Martha Griffiths when
Slomovitz reminded them of her
strong record of support for Israel
while she was a long-time Congress-
woman from northwest Detroit. He
said the 1948 Central High School
gathering "had a sense of unity and
cooperation" and was a gathering of
support for Israel by the Christian
community as well.
Slomovitz also pointed out that
Jewish youth were heavily involved
in the 1948 rally. Those youth are
Detroit's Zionist leaders of today,
"but we also need the Jewish youth of
today. We must reassemble the
Jewish youth in all our efforts, in ce-
menting the relationship of the
United States and Israel."
Mrs. Griffiths was given a stand-
ing ovation by the appreciative audi-
ence as she was introduced. She was
warmly applauded again when she
stated that the happiest place in her
old Congressional district was the old
Jewish Community Center at
Meyers and Curtis.
Picking up on one of Slomovitz'
themes, she stated that the only
President who ever had an American
policy toward Israel was Harry Tru-
man. He was the only one who made
sure the State Department under-
stood his policy, and made sure they
followed it."
The Lieutenant Governor said
that U.S. Secretary of State George
Marshall opposed Israel's indepen-
dence and U.S. recognition for the
re-born state. "He thought Israel was
indefensible. But he did not count on
the intelligence and dedication of the
Israelis."
To give an example of that in-
telligence, she quoted Mrs. Walter
Lowdermilk, whose husband was one
of Israel's staunchest Christian
friends and the architect of Israel's
water supply system. The borders of
Israel end where the sand begins,"
Mrs. Lowdermilk said. "Israel is
,green."
Mrs. Griffiths said one of the
saddest days in her life occurred
when the Israeli Ambassador to the
United Nations offered to provide Is-
raeli experts to any country who
wanted to learn Israel's revolution-
ary techniques for irrigation. "All the
Arabs walked out," she said. "I wish
there was a limit to the stupidity of
the human race."
In a political aside after her
comment on stupidity, Mrs. Griffiths
blasted Republican Senatorial hope-
ful Jack Lousma for his weekend
comments against Senator Carl Le-
vin. Lousma said Levin supported
weakened defense policies for the
United States while backing a strong
Israel.
It is in our best interests that
Israel be strong," Mrs. Griffiths told
her appreciative audience, suggest-
ing that former astronaut Lousma go
back to outer space.
Other program participants in-
cluded Rabbi James I. Gordon of
Young Israel of Oak-Woods, who
read the Prayer for the State of Is-
rael, State Senator Jack Faxon and
State Representative Maxine Be-
rman, and Israeli entertainer Gadi
Elon. Faxon and Berman presented a
resolution of the Michigan Legisla-
ture in honor of Israel's anniversary.
Jackye Drapkin announced the
winners of the Israel Independence
Day poster contest. They included
Susie Rosenzweig, pre-school cate-
gory; Julie Frolich, Susie Fauman
and Sarah Novetsky, grades one-
three category; Danny Gurwin, Jus-
tin London, Steve Rubin, Rachel
Greenberg and Deborah Kovsky,
grades four-six.
Esther Tal judged the Temmy
Skully essay contest which was won
by Deena Gelfond. Others cited were
Michelle Remer, David Lederman,
Brian Herschfus, Julie Ann Callton,
Jody Cantor, March Cantor, Amy
Gold, Scott Warner and Alisa
Weberman.
Walk chairman Michael
Feldman checks the Jewish War
Veterans colorguard at the start
of the Walk for Israel.