STANDING
WITH THE
SOLDIERS

IDF concert/rally combines

the rhythms of Israel with
the realities of war.

DIANA LIEBERMAN
Copy Editor/Education Writer

U

ll nconditional support for Israel was
the overriding theme April 18 at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek as
800 metro Detroiters gathered for
an evening concert and rally in honor of the
Israel Defense Forces.
"Whenever there is an emergency, Jews get
together," said Uri Zachor of Southfield, as he
entered the Southfield synagogue with his
wife, Aliza. We have to show moral support
to Israel and to find ways to support them
financially."
They were greeted by a cadre of teens from
throughout Oakland County, who took tick-
ets and gave out Israeli flags. "It is so crucial
that the people of Israel know they have our
support," said Rickki Chomsky of Southfield.
"The state of Israel cannot cease to exist.
I'm joining the Israeli army as soon as I grad-
uate," said the 15-year-old girl.
Sponsored by the Michigan Friends of the
IDF, the evening of solidarity featured the
IDF Musical Ensemble and vocal soloists,
along with special guest Maj. Gen. Moshe
Evry Sukenik, the IDF's defense and armed
forces attache in Washington, D.C.
The Friends of the IDF is the tax-exempt
organization dedicated to the well-being of
Israel's soldiers. "The responsibility of the
government of Israel is to equip and train sol-
diers to protect the State of Israel," the
group's flyer states. "The responsibility taken
on by the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
is to fortify those soldiers with love and sup-
port in an effort to ease the burden they carry
on behalf of the entire worldwide Jewish
community."

,

IDF on page 16

Clockwise from top..

A security guard watches over the crowd as Major-General

Moshe Evry Sukenik speaks.

Major-General Moshe Evry Sukenik, the Israeli Defense
Forces' defense and armed forces attaché in Washington,
D. C., was previously chief ofIsrael's ground forces.

Members of the Israel Defense Forces band.

Emery Klein of West Bloomfield takes an Israeli flag
from Friends of the IDF volunteer Rickki Chomsky, 15,
of Southfield.

Israeli soldiers at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
solidarity evening.

4/26
2002

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