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Above: Imam Achmet Salir walks through a crowd of
students during a visit by interfaith clergy to Hillel Day
School.
Left: Carol Crawford of Novi looks at the memorial
light display at the West Bloomfield JCC.
West Bloomfield Township Fire and Police representatives join the group in
watching the national 9-11 observance on television.
Anna Datsenko, Sofiya Fudym and Riva Magig, all of Oak Park, and Helga Plonskier and Michael Shteyn, both of Southfzelch say the Pledge ofAllegiance at the Oak Park JCC.
Oak Park JCC
Leslee Magidson, managing director of the Jewish Community Center in Oak
Park, had a special reason for holding the 9-11 memorial service in the front lobby.
"You can see the nature outside and feel the rays of sunlight on a day of sad-
ness," she said. "I loved the contrast."
More than 100 people, including many immigrants and Holocaust survivors,
crammed into the lobby to share the deep sadness and the resolve not to forget
the events of 9-11.
Before the national moment of silence, Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Emeritus
Ernst Conrad reminded the crowd that this was a special time for Jews, the
Days of Awe, a 10-day period starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with
Yom Kippur. It's a time of serious introspection and repentance, the rabbi said.
"I ask for something else," he said. "It's easy to hate people who do these
awful things. But never fall judge of all the people who belong to those nation-
alities." Jews especially know the cruelty of such behavior, he noted.
Two Russian Jewish War Veterans in uniform led participants in reciting the
Pledge of Allegiance. Then everyone sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" with
Cantor David Gutman of Congregation Beit Kodesh in Livonia.
Though few noticed, officers were present from the Oak Park Department of
Public Safety. Before anyone arrived, Magidson said they thoroughly checked the
building.
During the national moment of silence, some held hands, while others
wrapped an arm around their neighbor.
"I'm a veteran of World War II, and I remember those awful days, and
thought days like that would never come again," said Alfred Goldstein, 79, of
Oak Park. "These events are similar to the challenges we faced in 1940."
Lighting one of the 100 memorial candles set on a table for participants,
Helga Plonskier, 80, of Southfield had tears in her eyes. A Holocaust survivor,
she said the service, and 9-11 itself, brought back memories from 60 years ago.
"It's very important to show what people live through and how we can go on
even with great tragedies," she said. "We should never forget and should be
united on a day like today." ❑
— Sharon Luckerman
9-11 on page 22
9/13
2002
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