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.