This Week
Cover Story
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Gary Rimar shows his patriotism wearing his hand-painted kippah to the West
Bloomfield JCC's 9-11 remembrance program.
West Bloomfield JCC
9/13
2002
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In an ardent burst of patriotism, participants at a 9-11 memorial observance at
the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield recited words of American
devotion and Jewish loyalty.
The phrases, "God bless America" and "one nation under God," b _ rought to
mind both American heritage and the God of the Jewish people.
On the first anniversary of 9-11, the words to the Pledge of Allegiance and
"The Star-Spangled Banner," usually recited by rote at a sporting event or
school meeting, were felt to the core.
Presenters stressed combining Jewish beliefs with strong American patriotism.
Albert Rosen of Farmington Hills, who led the Pledge, did so in his Jewish War
Veteran hat. Cantor Earl Berris of Congregation B'nai Moshe led songs of
American loyalty and Rabbi Joshua Bennett of Temple Israel expressed every-
one's hope for "peace in Israel, in America and around the globe."
Many who attended the program dressed with patriotism in mind. Most of
the students from the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit dressed in red,
white and blue. "It was a spontaneous choice," says Rabbi Lee Buckman, head
of school.
Before the program, JAMD Spanish teacher Mindy Roberts and her freshman
Spanish I students formed a circle of hugs. They made a pact to get together
again on this date and e-mail each other on Sept. 11 after they graduate.
Gary Rimar, a professional pianist and JCC director of technology, training
and support, served as accompanist. He wore a kippah (head covering) depicting
an American flag. Rimar created dozens of the hand-painted kippot, then
"turned over the franchise" to Dorit Edut, a fellow Congregation Shir Tikvah
member, who is in rabbinical school in New York. She sells them there and
donates funds to victims of the World Trade Center attacks.
"I knew I had to wear this today," Rimar says of his kippah choice. It shows
I am a patriotic American and a devoted Jew." ❑
— Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Speaking with students outside Hillel Day School is Father John West, pastor of St.
Rita Parish in Holly and ecumenical and interfaith adviser with the Archdiocese of
Detroit.
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Hillel Day School
Students at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit — most decked out in
red, white and blue — were bright and attentive during a brief 9-11 commem-
oration program at their school in Farmington Hills.
Fifty religious and community leaders traveling on the Interfaith Caravan of
Remembrance bus arrived at Hillel following a first stop at Herlong Episcopal
Cathedral School in Detroit. The Hillel students were waiting as the visitors
made their way to the front of the school chapel.
During the program, Rabbi Daniel Nevins of Adat Shalom Synagogue read
the El Male Rachimim and explained its significance as a prayer for remember-
ing the dead. Standing in front of the ark, flanked by American and Israeli flags,
he also read a litany prepared by the National Conference for Community and
Justice. The piece was read at all four sites the Caravan visited.
Then, all headed outdoors where Father John West, using the imagery of the
story of Noah, explained why they were releasing a white dove of peace and
planting rose seeds.
As Caravan participants boarded buses for their trip to the Islamic Center of
America in Dearborn ; Hillel eighth-grader Bradley Millman reflected on 9-11.
"The terrorist attack really affected me," said Bradley, wearing an American
flag emblazoned on his shirt. "My grandmother went through the Holocaust
and we've dealt with tragedy. This is a sad thing, but today made it feel like it's
getting better, like the nation is getting better." ❑
— Don Cohen