OTHER VIEWS
A Deeper Passion For Israel
he same mail seems to come
on a daily basis, although
I'm not complaining. Like
most. involved Jewish fami-
lies, we regularly get notices to attend
rallies, dinners, golf outings, auctions,
lectures, classes, etc.
Fortunately, we are part of a thriv-
ing Jewish community that is very
active with Jewish causes. Because of
time and financial constraints, my
wife, Fran, and I contribute to the
ones that fit our concerns, need sup-
port the most and attend functions
when our busy schedules permit.
Undeniably, Israel is in its most crit-
ical situation in regards to its existence
so it's often on my mind. Being so far
away, my concern turns to frustration
as I wish I could do more. In previous
years, I have shown my support con-
sistently by attending rallies and
through involvement with the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit .
and Friends of the Israel Defense
Forces. Last year, I attended the first
of three Michigan solidarity missions
to Israel. It personally touched me,
since I saw firsthand the effect the war
was having on Israeli society. Today, as
the suicide bombings continue, and as
the messages from our government
and president become inconsistent,
my desire to get involved has
increased.
T
Aaron Martin is a West Bloomfield resi-
dent. The Zionist Organization of
America Web site is www.zoa.org
The need to get directly involved
was fulfilled last week when I attend-
ed the Zionist Organization of
America (ZOA) annual dinner and
mission to Washington, D.C. It was
the first time that I directly con-
tributed to help Israel's plight. The
mission was to make congressional
members aware of the concerns of
Israel and the Jewish people. There is
growing pressure, internationally and
from the U.S. Department of State, to
make one-sided concessions to the
Palestinians. Our purpose was to edu-
cate those on Capital Hill to combat
this pressure and strengthen the Israel-
U.S. alliance.
In groups of six, we visited three
members of the House and encour-
aged them to co-sign legislation that
supports Israel, but is being held up
due to lack of support. We also dis-
cussed the danger of allowing the for-
mation of a Palestinian state, particu-
larly considering its current leader-
ship, which uses terrorism and edu-
cates its children to dream of the
destruction of Israel rather then a
peaceful co-existence.
Three things from the experience
impressed me very much:
• We currently have strong support
[for Israel] in Congress. All the mem-
bers we visited were staunch support-
ers of Israel and co-signed the acts we ,
presented. The speakers at our lunch-
eon on Capitol Hill included five sen-
ators and 13 representatives from both
political parties. They stood in a line
Walking To Fight Breast Cancer
n May 31, thousands of peo-
ple, including Jewish
Detroiters, took a step in the
fight against breast cancer.
A three-day, 60-mile walk from Ann
Arbor to Farmington Hills, the Avon
Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk was an event
that challenged the mind and body to
raise money for breast cancer research
and early screening, potentially saving the
lives of medically underserved women.
You may have heard about the event
on the news; you may have a friend
who walked or been asked to donate.
But it is the story you may not have
heard about the Avon Breast Cancer
3-Day Walk that may be the most
inspiring aspect of all. It was, for three
days, a bonded community that
strengthened Detroit community ties.
0
Carin Rockind is a Royal Oak resident.
6/21
2002
38
Collectively, 3,515 walkers and 350
volunteers lived and walked as a group
for three days. We were women and
men, short and tall, plump and thin,
Jewish and Arab and Christian, and
each person had a common story: most
of us had lost a family member to
breast cancer — a mother or bubbie or
sister or aunt. Many of us walked for
survivors we love; 300 of us were sur-
vivors ourselves. The event required us
to raise at least $1,900 per participant,
but its spirit challenged us to be
human beings. For these three days,
Detroiters displayed what we are capa-
ble of as people and as a community.
As Jews, we are privileged to experi-
ence the Jewish community, a tight-knit
group of common people with com-
mon history and common fears.
Because of that, we stick by each other,
yet still have walls that separate. But on
waiting their turn to address
time of day.
the 200 members of ZOA.
• I had the chance to con-
More had inquired about
tribute in some way on behalf
speaking to us as well, but
of Israel. For a day, I was truly
time didn't allow it. (My late
an ambassador for Israel. It
parents, Holocaust survivors,
was rewarding beyond any
never would have believed it).
involvement and support
• We had a reality check
have given before.
when Aaron Miller, a senior
AARON
This past Shabbat in his ser-
adviser on Arab-Israeli negotia-
MAR TIN
mon, Rabbi Elliot Pachter of
tions, briefed us for the U.S.
Comm unity
Congregation B'nai Moshe
State Department. His views
explained [the Jewish view-
Vi ews
reflect Secretary of State Colin
point] very clearly. When
Powell's: demanding Israel's
Zionism was first conceived,
constant need for restraint and denying
he said, there wasn't talk of specific
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's involve-
borders or pushing people out of their
ment with the recent terrorist attacks.
lands. All Jews wanted then, as we
Also, many congressional members
want today, is a normal, productive
wouldn't make appointments to see us.
existence — a home to which Jews
For instance, U.S. Reps. David Bonior
can return to, and a place to live in
[a candidate for governor] and John
prosperity, peace and security.
Conyers, both Michigan Democrats,
I urge you to get involved too!
are strongly supported by the Arab -
Contact your representatives and
community and wouldn't give us the
encourage them to support Israel. El
Some local par-
ticipants on the
ZOA visit to
Washington,
D.C., were
Aaron Martin,
Michigan ZOA
President Norma
Harpaz, Joseph
Savin, Diane
Savin, Leora
Bar-Levav and
Rana Bar-Levay.
was looking out for us. We
lived by the slogan,
"Humankind. Be Both."
Our supporters lived by it as
the Walk, we were a communi-
well. As we walked through
ty as I have never experienced.
cities — Ann Arbor and Livonia
On the walk, we were a group
and Plymouth and Farmington
of different people, with
Hills — husbands and children
uncommon history, but a corn-
CARIN L.
and older women lined the
mon fear — that of losing
streets clapping, holding bal-
women we love.
ROCKI ND
loons and lifting signs saying,
So for love, we committed
Commu nity
"Way to go, Mom! Good Job!"
to taking care of each other
Vie w
A storefront in Plymouth dis-
before taking care of ourselves.
played a sign in the window,
In acts of selflessness, for 20
"Go Walkers!" When it was 85 degrees'
miles a day, and three dayS in a row,
heat, families sat outside their homes
we cheered each other on, medicated
with sprinklers pointed at us, offering
each other's feet and shared Ben-Gay.
bowls of ice and lemonade. Spectators
We pitched strangers' tents. We
thanked us for walking; we thanked
encouraged each other to keep mov-
them for coming out to support us. The
ing until every last walker crossed the
Detroit community was, as it should
finish line. We held Shabbat services
always be: not about races, but people.
on Friday night and church on •
And as we walked into closing cere-
Sunday morning. We chose to look
monies, 15,000 people with balloons
out for one another because when we
and signs and high fives, cheered us in. It
committed to that, we knew someone