14 Friday, May 23, 1986
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Fun, food and
speeches
honored the
38th
anniversary of
Israel's
independence.
Charlie Orstein, Aaron Hamburger and
Seth Jackier were the Hillel team.
Shiffman Hall was filled for the main program.
A Rousing
Birthday!
BY BEVFY ELSTER
Special to The Jewish News
Sunday may have been gloomy
and rainy, but inside the Maple/
Drake Jewish Community Center a
bright, spring-like carnival atmos-
phere prevailed in honor of Israel
Independence Day.
Amid blue and white helium
balloons, and colorful yellow, pink
and blue banners, the costumed
Hora Aviv Dancers entertained with
energetic renditions of Israeli dance.
Additional entertainment was pro-
vided by the Abraham Ben Ze'ev
Band.
Free Israeli wine-tasting and
food-sampling also tempted the
crowds at the "Family Fun Day"
honoring Israel's 38th birthday. The
celebration was an outward expres-
sion of the joy felt for Israel's inde-
pendence and democracy, as well as
a show of support for her continued
peace and freedom.
The main program, in Shiffman
Hall, contrasted with the carnival-
like atmosphere outside its closed
doors. A feeling of "family" closeness
and pride permeated the room as Is-
rael's beginnings and fight for free-
dom were discussed.
The program began with the
Jewish War Veterans color guard, a
•
prayer for the State of Israel by
Rabbi Allan Blustein, and singing of
both the American and Israeli Na-
tional Anthems.
Marian Shifman introduced the
master of ceremonies, Representa-
tive David M. Gubow, who in a
light-hearted spirit, indicated that of
all the Israel Independence Day cel-
ebrations he had attended, this was
the first year that I didn't have to
sell refreshments."
Edythe Jackier, representing the
Jewish Welfare Federation, spoke of
the jubilation that ,she and others
had felt when, in 1947, gathered
Around the radio, they heard the
United Nations vote-count granting
Israel her independence. "Since
those beginnings," she said, Ameri-
can Jews have "assumed their re-
sponsibility for fellow Jews in Is-
rael," and have continued to show
their support financially, philosophi-
cally and psychologically.
Rep. Gubow, on behalf of the
Michigan Legislature, presented a
concurrent resolution which stated
that "this special day represents
freedom and improved quality of life
for millions of Jewish citizens .. .
Continued on Page 16
orange walk" are .A.Vi Moskovitz,
Displaying the playing pieces for Temple Israel's "orange
Odin Ozdil and Shlome Ben-Ezra.
Senator Riegle gave the keynote speech
for Independence Day.
Michael Balkin and Paul Needelman
explain Israel Bonds.