Some see a clear link between the terrorism aimed
at Israel and America's own war on terrorism. Israeli
they say, is the world's canal), in the mine shaft.

Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, noted that
Jews long have feared that younger members
of the community will not share the older gen-
eration's commitment. When Solomon became
chief operating offfEer of the UJA-Federation
of New York in 1986, he read minutes from
board meetings dating back to 1917. "The
one theme that came through in each of the
past 75 years was, 'Will the next generation be
here in our seats? Are we the last generation?"
Solomon, who in his current position has
commissioned extensive research about the
attitudes and interests of young American
Jews, says he is not surprised by the large num-
ber of start-up pro-Israel groups since 2000.
He says younger Jews are more attracted to entrepre-
neurial approaches to Jewish and Israel-related issues, as
opposed to the larger, established communal frame-
works that have prevailed for so many years.

•

No History

These changes are not happening in a vacuum. He
noted that many educated young Jews are not affected
by the memory of the Holocaust or the rebirth of a
sovereign Jewish state. And they are completely
unaware of the Soviet Jewry movement, which mobi-
lized so many of their parents in the 1960s and '70s.
For young people in general, Solomon said, "their
sense of history goes back to breakfast."
Among the committed core of pro-Israel American
Jews, it's easy to get the sense that "everybody" is join-
ing the cause. In day schools, synagogues, federations
and other venues, sometimes it seems that everybody is

talking about Israel,
and most people are
voicing similarly sup-
portive messages.
But the picture is
different when one
looks beyond the cen-
tral institutions of
American Jewish life.
Most Jews outside of
those institutions and
their constituencies
aren't involved in pro-
Israel activities today. Indeed,
they weren't in the past either.
The AJCommittee conducts an annual survey of
American Jewish opinion. Its 2003 poll shows that the
community's sense that "Caring about Israel is an
important part of my being a Jew" has held steady over
the past several years, at approximately three-quarters
of respondents.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is
widely viewed as having succeeded in harnessing
American Jews' pro-Israel passion. Since the collapse of
the peace process, AIPAC's membership has soared
from 55,000 to 85,000. Nonetheless, as AIPAC execu-
tive director Howard Kohr acknowledged, "The num-
ber is still fairly small," and he hopes the ranks will
continue to grow.
While he notes that AIPAC is "about leadership" —
implying that it does not need vast numbers of mem-
bers — the question remains: Are more American Jews
getting involved for Israel today than in the past?
Few of those involved in pro-Israel advocacy have

A Powerful Message

Akiva and its dinner honorees demonstrate enduring support fir Israel.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN

Staff Writer

r

i or a school intensely dedicated to Israel, hon-
oring staunch Israel supporter Jim Hiller was
a natural. Paying tribute to Hiller was a main
event at Yeshivat Akiva's May 23 annual dinner.
In between a choir performing words of solidarity
with Israel and the aptly named, Friend of Israel
award presentation to Hiller, was another highlight.
The Alumnus of the Year award was bestowed upon
Southfield attorney Micha Zwick.
Zwick followed his kindergarten through high
school years at Akiva with studies in Israel before
attending Yeshiva University and the Benjamin N.
Cardozo School of Law, both in
New York. Actively involved in
communal leadership, Zwick
serves as chairman of the board
at Young Israel of Oak Park and
is on the board of the Young
Adult Division of Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit.
In a room filled with blue
and white balloons, more than

500 guests celebrated the 40th anniversary of the
Southfield-based school in an Israel-themed event.
The Gedalya Mitchell Kol Haneshama Youth Choir,
directed by Shularnit Tsaidi, sang a special rendition
of the title track from the Voices for Israel CD created
to express support for and unity with the people of
Israel: wwwvoicesforisrael.org
The musical presentation of "Chazak Amenu: We
Stand As One" was led by Akiva graduate Avy
Schreiber of Southfield, a writer of the song that
brought together more than 50 musicians who
donated their time to the project. Profits from the
CD set, with its 20-page photo booklet of Israel and
music video, benefit victims of terror in Israel.
The grand applause for the song and its singers
came from an audience that
included parents of members of
Akiva's senior class. "Next year,
90 percent of our graduates will
continue their education in .
Israel," said Akiva President Marc

At Akiva's dinner; Educational
Director Rabbi Yigal Tsaidi,
right, praises Friend ofisrael
awardee Jim Hiller.

addressed key questions, such as whether this flurry of
activity resonates beyond the people engaged in it, or
whether today's activism marks a turning point in the
relationship between American Jews and Israel.
Hebrew University sociologist Steven M. Cohen
conducted a survey in late 2002 that sought to measure
American Jews' attachment to Israel. Cohen found that
one in 10 American Jews said they had become more
involved with the Jewish state since the intifada began,
while the number was one in five among the under-35
set.
But Cohen determined that these shifts were statisti-
cally insignificant.
Those involved in pro-Israel advocacy have a differ-
ent take. Steven Nasatir, president of Chicago's Jewish
United Fund, questioned Cohen's findings. "This does
not reflect the people I'm talking to," he said.
In Chicago and across the country, he said, many
Jews who could not be considered core activists have
gotten involved in a wide range of pro-Israel advocacy
efforts.
"There are real changes going on," agreed Daniel
Rosove, a freshman at the University of Oregon who
said pro-Israel activity on his campus boomed over the
past year.
Esther Renzer, who is president of Stand With Us, a_
Los Angeles grass-roots startup that advocates for Israel
in the community and on college campuses, pointed to
a higher level of involvement among LA's Jewish com-
munity. "Everyone will have a stronger Jewish identity
because of this period," she predicted. ❑

Jerusalem. "For some, that year will grow into two
Next year one or two will make aliyah and join the
army"
Jerusalem also announced the success of a recent
meeting with architects to discuss ways to accommo-
date the school's ever-growing study body.
Seymour Greenstein, Akiva's past Community
Chesed awardee, recounted what Jim Hiller has come
to be known for his undaunted support for Israel.
Greenstein reminded the crowd of Hiller's sales of
Israeli products in his Hiller's Markets. He told how
in the face of a threatened boycott and protests by
those who do not support Israel, Hiller not only con-
tinued the sales, but also very publicly announced his
promise to expand the program indefinitely with
profits donated back to Israeli businesses.
A touching letter was read, sharing words of the
mother of an Israeli soldier who had been killed,
offering a personal thank you to Hiller for his part in
helping the Israeli economy.
For Biller, who has received awards for athletic
prowess, academic scholarship and organizational
involvement — including a recent award from the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — this honor
was distinctive.
Each and every one have recognized me for some-
thing I did," Hiller said "Whether it was because I
studied harder, swam faster, spent more time or just
plain worked harder. Thanks to Akira, I am being
recognized not for what I did but who I am and
POWERFUL MESSAGE on page 32

2004

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