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Rally-goers shrug off Sunday's cold rain to

proclaim: "The Nation of Israel Lives!"

HARRY KIRSBAUM StaffWriter

he crowd may not have reached

expected numbers, but the enthusi-

asm certainly did.

On a day marred by chilly winds

and intermittent rain, a cross-section of 1,000

Jews met April 28 outside Temple Emanu-El

in Oak Park to show support for Israel.

People wore ponchos and warm sweaters. They huddled
together under colorful umbrellas in weather that felt more
like early November than late April.
"We may be cold," said Alexis Goldis of Bloomfield
Township, "but our hearts and souls are warm for Israel."
Calling the gathering "wonderful," Zipora Golenberg of
Farmington Hills said, "It's very heart-warming to have this
support for Israel, especially in such bad weather." Added
Golenberg, an Israeli native: "It's very important for Israelis
to know and see it — to know Americans care."
Volunteers standing behind tables passed out pamphlets
and sought signatures for petitions to be sent to Congress in
support of Israel.

Waving Israeli and American flags and car-

rying signs supporting Israel and denounc-

Stirring Speakers

well received were the last two speakers, who

The 90-minute event, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit and Detroit's Jewish Community
Council, had its share of short, but powerful, speeches by
communal, religious and government leaders. The dais
included U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.; U.S. Reps. Sander
Levin, D-Royal Oak, and Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield
Hills; Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm; and
former Governor James Blanchard.
Targeting civilians for violence cannot be allowed to suc-
ceed, said Sen. Carl Levin.

represented the religious community.

AM YISRAEL CHAI on page 16

ing terrorism, Jews from all religious streams

and political bents — attending from all

over the area — cheered each speaker's

unwavering support for Israel. Especially

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2002

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