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Politically
Speaking

Former presidential aides give
an inside peek to .AIPAC supporters.

hey've flown on Air Force
dential administrations.
One, helped advise the
Footlik was a special assistant
leader of the free world —
to President Bill Clinton.
and former presidential aides Jay Neusner, who is a former writer
Footlik, 40, and Noam Neusner, for the Detroit Jewish News,
35, know what really
advised and wrote
goes on in the West
speeches for President
.. Wing.
George W. Bush. Both
The two Jewish
men served as' presiden-
White House insiders
tial liaisons to the
shared some of their
American Jewish com-
behind-the-scenes
munity.
stories with about
During their one-hour
150 local members of
talk, the two former
Robin Schwartz aides said their experi-
the American Israel
Columnist
Public Affairs-
ences left them confident
Committee (AIPAC).
our country's commit-
The Nov 3 gathering was held at
ment to Israel is strong.
the Detroit Zoological Park's
"I've been with President
Wildlife Interpretive Gallery in
Clinton on three of his visits to
Royal Oak.
Israel and I'm always struck by
"One person — one relation-
how moved he was by each eXpe-
ship = can make a difference
rience," said Footlik.
Footlik said about the impor-
"President Bush has been a
tance of lobbying congressional
great friend to Israel in a very
leaders. "It's our responsibility
difficult time said Neusner,
collectively and individually to
adding, "Never forget that you
safeguard this critical relation
live in a great democracy." .
ship."
Among those spotted in the
AIPAC has about 100,000
crowd at the AIPAC young lead-
members across all 50 States.
ership event were: Alex
They help educate lawmakers
Stotland, David and Laura
and encourage them to support
Gorosh, Beth Stollman,
pro-Israel legislation..
Nathalie Giske, J.J. Modell, and
"AIPAC historically has been
Emily and Jeff Camiener, all of
and continues to be the central
Birmingham; Stephanie and
vehicle for pro-Israel advocacy,'
Josh Goldberg, Francine
said Carey Kalmowitz of West
Wunder, Deborah Karr and
Bloomfield. She moderated the
Martin Maddin, all of West
discussion.
Bloomfield; Max Newman of
Footlik and Neusner are on
Bloomfield Hills; and Nancy
opposite ends of the political
Stone and Scott Segal of
spectrum, but the men held sim- Huntington Woods.17
ilar posts during different presi-

T

Left to right, row 1: Speakers Noam Neusner and Jay Footlik;.David

Jacob of Franklin and Beth Stoliman of Birmingham; row

Meredith

Pierce of Birmingham and. Brian Roth of West Bloomfield; Sheri

Wagner of Birmingham, Stacy and Steve Gusten of Bloomfield Hills,

row 3: Emily Camiener of Birmingham, Sherly Wolberg of Huntington

Woods and Lisa Weinbaum of Bloomfield; Rachel Karp of Huntington

Woods and Jacqui Bell of Birmingham, row 4: Barbara Zaltz of

Huntington Woods and Nancy Komer Stone of Huntington Woods; Alex

Stotland of Birmingham and Stephanie Goldberg of Berkley.

24

December 1 , 2005