The goal of the American-Israel
Chamber of Commerce of Michigan
is to help area and Israeli
businesses join hands.
STEVE STEIN STAFF WRITER
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48
ichael Traison wants to make
perfectly clear the purpose of the
American-Israel Chamber of
Commerce of Michigan.
"It isn't a charitable organiza-
tion, or a Zionist organization, or
a religious organization, though
our membership is primarily
Jewish," said Mr. Traison, who is
president of the 250-member
group.
"Our sole purpose is to devel-
op business relationships be-
tween Michigan firms and Israeli
companies. In other words, to
make money for those compa-
nies," Mr. Traison said.
"There are so many business
opportunities in Israel. It's prac-
tically an untapped market. And
with the borders opening there
because of the peace process, Is=
rael has become the gateway to
even more possibilities in the re-
gion."
If a new business relationship
sparks closer ties between local
Jews and Israel, that's an added
benefit, Mr. Traison said.
"Businessmen and women like
to gain some personal satisfac-
tion from their dealings, and
what the chamber is doing is one
way of building bridges between of Israeli vodka was looking for
the American Diaspora and Is- distributors here," Mr. Traison
said. "We're helping find the dis-
rael.
"In fact, I see these relation- tributors for them. That's our
ships as the wave of the future. role."
One of the newest members of
Contributions from Americans to
Jewish charitable organizations the chamber's board of directors
which help Israel have been flat is Donald Davis.
He is chairman of the First In-
or depressed for years."
Eighty Michigan companies dependence National Bank of De-
troit, Michigan's
are. currently doing
oldest minority-
business with Israeli
owned and operated
firms. Mr. Traison
financial institution.
said there's no way
The bank helps fund
to tell how many of
commercial and real
these relationships
estate developments
were helped by the
in Detroit.
chamber, but it's a
Mr. Davis says he
good bet the cham-
joined the chamber
ber played a role in
because he believes
many of them.
minority-owned
The chamber ba-
businesses in Detroit
sically acts as an in-
can benefit from
formation clearing-
links with Israel.
house for local and
"But there's more
Israeli firms. Besides Michael Trais on
the events it sponsors, it has a 24- to it," he said. "We need better
hour phone answering service communication between blacks
and Jews. We can make the pre-
and a spot on the Internet.
"The Israel-American Cham- sent and the future better for all
ber of Commerce in Tel Aviv sent if we work together as business-
a message to us on the Internet people.
"I know firsthand how hard it
recently saying that a producer
can be to build a business in De-
troit. I see the chamber reaching
out to a troubled Israel in a car-
ing way while remaining realis-
tic about Israel's economic
problems.
"This is a good model. There is
a similar need for black profes-
sionals to reach out and embrace
the problems of our core cities."
Another proponent of the
chamber is Jeff Kaye, the com-
munity shaliach with the Michi-
gan-Israel Connection. He says
the chamber plays a "crucial role"
in the community.
"I have been to a number of
chamber events and I've been im-
pressed by its wide range of mem-
bers," Mr. Kaye said. "The
chamber has Israel's best inter-
ests at heart. I have no doubt
about that.
"Its philosophy is what's good
for business is what's good for Is-
rael, and that is the correct ap-
proach for everyone. Because of
the peace process and the in-
creased confidence in Israel's
economy, you'd have to say the
chamber is doing the right thing
at the right time."
MATCHMAKER page 50