\ICA% `ASS, USA
Connection, began reading the names
from the lengthy list of soldiers who
died in battle during five decades of
war. Other members of the communi-
ty stepped up to follow her lead.
"My brother died in 1982 in the
Lebanon war. He was the first soldier
killed," recalled Waxman, as she
fought back her tears. "It is very
important for me to be at the only
monument in the United States for
fallen soldiers. There's no other way
for me to honor my brother when I'm
so far away from home and the mili-
tary in Israel."
She added, "When we know that
somewhere in the world Jews are
remembering this clay like we are in
Israel, it helps us to wake up the next
day with a smile on our faces knowing
Opposite page: Joshua Berkovitz lays a
carnation at the monument's base.
This page, below: Ariela and Penina
Wentman were among the crowd.
Bottom: Anna Valk holds the Israeli
.fiag
that we're all part of a big family all
over the world. This is the first time
we're doing something like this and
hopefully it will become a tradition.
It's a very important identification for
us with Israel." •
Joseph Gringlas of West Bloomfield,
a television technician, confirmed
his presence at the ceremony by
signing his name in the Yizkor
Book. "I came to honor the fallen
soldiers, their families and the
country of Israel. It's important to
me to remember the people who
gave up their lives for the country
and for Judaism.
"I'm a Holocaust survivor. This
is a special day to remember. It's
the most you can do to give honor
for the fallen soldiers of Israel."
The ceremony was quite moving
for Florida resident Sonia Kudewitz,
who came to West Bloomfield to
spend Passover with her daughter,
Eleanor Jackier.
"I'm a Holocaust survivor who lost
my whole family in the war, and then
lost my husband six months ago," she
said. "It reminds me that I had four sis-
ters and five brothers, a big family, and
I'm the only one left. But my daughter
gave me a beautiful family, five grand-
children and seven great-grandchildren."
Gladys Kay of Farmington Hills
accompanied her husband, Louis, to the
morning ceremony, undaunted by the
weather. "Our feet took us here. We
always come out to these things and do
respect. I loved the kids [performing]. I
really think they were great."
As the crowd dispersed, volunteers
from throughout the community con-
tinued to recite the names of the fallen
soldiers in the JCC lobby until 5 p.m.
Participants included seniors from the
Fleischman Residence and youth from
the BBYO, NCSY and the
Birmingham Temple.
"In the United States, Memorial
Day is a sale, a barbecue, you name
it," said Josh Berkovitz, chairman of
the Yom Hazikaron observance. "In
Israel, when the siren sounds, the
entire country stops for two minutes
Of silence and everybody thinks about
the brave young people that gave their
lives for the independence of their
country. We wanted the younger gen-
eration to be a part of the event so
that their support of the country
would be in each of their hearts. We
involved all the Jewish schools.
"Seeing the kids do a great job and
take with them an understanding of
what this event meant today means
we've achieved our goal." O
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