Living conditions, like this one near the
Lebanon border, are not the best.
Israeli soldiers take a break at a Friends
of the IDF facility.
Helping Hands
Talk by Israeli general highlights kickoff for Detroit Friends of IDF chapter.
STEVE STEIN STAFF WRITER
0
ne of Israel's most promi-
nent and decorated soldiers
will be the guest speaker at
the kickoff event of the De-
troit Friends of the Israel Defense
Forces (IDF) chapter.
Major General Amiram Levin
will provide a "Special Security
Briefing on the Peace Process" at
7:30 p.m. May 26 at Congrega-
tion Beth Abraham Hillel Moses
in West Bloomfield.
Besides giving the local Jew-
ish community a rare opportuni-
ty to hear from a high-ranking
officer in the IDF, the event is de-
signed as an introduction to the
world-wide Friends of the IDF or-
ganization.
Since 1948, Friends of the IDF
has cared for the humanitarian
needs of the men and women in
Israel's armed forces. Many who
serve are young men and women.
In Israel, after graduation from
high school, men must serve
three years and women two years
in the military.
Friends of IDF provides club-
houses, rest and recreation facil-
ities, mobile recreation units,
university scholarships and edu-
cational programs, summer-camp
programs for widows and chil-
dren of fallen soldiers, special pro-
grams for sick and wounded
soldiers, soldiers' hostels through-
out Israel, holiday gift parcels,
and more.
The organization also springs
into action during times like the
1991 rescue of more than 14,000
Ethiopian Jews. At the request
of the Israeli government,
Friends of IDF housed more than
2,400 refugees.
Following the Scud missile at-
tacks on Tel Aviv during the 1991
Persian Gulf War, more than 250
Norm Pappas, co-chair-
evacuated citizens were housed man of Detroit's Allied Jew-
at Friends of IDF's Givat Olga ish Campaign the past two
rest and recreation camp.
years, is serving as chairman
Nearly $21 million was raised of Detroit Friends.
There are about 250 Israeli
by the organization last year,
"Having a chapter here will al- families in the Detroit area and
with two-thirds donated by Is- low us to bring in high-level sol- it's hoped many will get involved
raeli citizens. More than 70 per- diers and politicians from Israel," with Detroit Friends.
cent of Israelis contribute, Mr. Pappas said. "It's important
"Detroit has a reputation for
making it the largest charity in for us in the Detroit Jewish com- generosity and for loving Israel,"
the state.
munity to hear what's going on Mr. Hyman said. "That's why this
"When can-you get 70 percent from those who know. We should new chapter is a priority for us.
of Israelis to agree on anything?" get more involved with Israel."
We can see it growing like in
asked Joseph Hyman, the Chica-
go-based Midwest director of
Friends of the IDF.
"Being involved with our or-
ganization is the purest way to
touch Israeli society," Mr. Hyman
said. "It says we believe in the
LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER
kids who are giving the best years
of their lives not only to defend
isa Leib remembers the call. men believe they lend new per-
Israel, but Jews world-wide. It's
It came from two friends spective.
not just the Israeli army, it's the
leaving the airport and
Jewish army.
"People always said, 'When
hey said "Leib, you're go- you go to Israel you'll feel right
, "The responsibility for imple-
menting the peace process in Is-
at home, at peace.' That didn't
The phone rang two years ago happen to me right away.
rael is going to rest on the
when the women returned from
shoulders of these 18- and 19-
It was two days later, in
the United Jewish Appeal Sin- Jerusalem, surrounded by Jews
year-old kids, and they deserve
gles Mission to Israel. Ms. Leib I barely knew, sharing the his-
our support."
took the advice, took the trip and tory of our ancestors," Ms. Leib
Hannan Lis is president of De-
returned to Michigan fired up said. "I'm not a religious person.
troit Friends and a member of the
for involvement.
six-man executive committee (a
This isn't about spirituality nec-
This year, she and Jim essarily. For me, it was about
board of directors is being
Bellinson serve as local chair- self-acceptance and indepen-
formed).
men on the trip which "turned dence.
Friends of IDF holds a special
us on." Ron Klein, also from De-
"Coming home motivated me
place in Mr. Lis' heart because he
troit, is a national co-chairman. to get involved and putting my-
took advantage of its services
The mission leaves July 3 and self on Federation Young Adult
when he served in the IDF for the
returns the 14th.
mandatory three years.
Division committees made me
Neither Ms. Leib nor Mr. feel like I could make a differ-
"This is a simple, direct way to
Bellinson considered themselves ence."
affect the lives of people who live in
active in the Jewish communi-
Mr. Bellinson understands.
Israel," Mr. Lis said. "The IDF is
ty prior to their first tours to Is-
A Birmingham native, he re-
the real melting pot of the country,
rael.
the place where many people be-
calls growing up on a street with
For that reason, both chair- no Jews, feeling no connection
come integrated and some even
learn Hebrew. It's a rite of passage."
Chicago, where we went from
raising $80,000 in 1990 to close
to $1 million in 1993."
For more information on De-
troit Friends and the talk by Mr.
Levin, call Mr. Lis at 553-8555.
Mr. Pappas can be reached at
354-0458.
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Trip Leaders Share Perspective
Ilmt
to the community.
"The trip really changed
everything for me. Like so many
people, I came back (from Israel)
ready to get involved. And I did.
Sure, it was a bit intimidating
at first, because the organized
Jewish community was so for-
eign to me. But I realized if you
make a commitment and follow
through, you'll rise quickly," Mr.
Bellinson said.
Detroit Federation has 40
spots available for the trip
trekking through Jerusalem, Tel
Aviv, Ramat David Air Force.
Base, Tiberias, Masada, art gal-
leries and the Knesset.
Twenty participants have re-
served spots — among them,
first-timers and veteran trav-
elers touting seven or more trips
to Israel.
Further information is avail-
able at Federation at 642-4260.
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