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Israel

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Israel celebrated its 58th year as a nation on
May 3, and we in Southeast Michigan found
various ways to celebrate. At Yeshivat Akiva in
Southfield, it was with music. In Ann Arbor,
it was with an afternoon festival. In West
Bloomfield, it was by showing our solidarity
on a walk, with flags waving. No matter the
venue, our spirits were as sunny as the glori-
ous day. Staff Photographers Angie Baan and
Armando Rios caught us in action.

Grassroots Walk
Unites Community

Harry Kirsbaum
Staff Writer

Staff photos by Angie Saan

B

Seth Betman, 7, of West Bloomfield

shows his support of Israel during

the walk.

22

May 11. 2006

raving perfect weather
and loads of leisure
activities, a crowd of
350 supporters of the Jewish
homeland took part in a grass-
roots Israel Independence Day
Walk May 7 from Temple Shir
Shalom to Temple Kol Ami in
West Bloomfield.
"We have to stand up and
show who we 'are, and I hope we
get a good turnout today',' said
Bert Stein of West Bloomfield,
who with his wife, Marion, also
participated in the Jewish News
Race For Hunger 5-mile walk/run
event in Farmington Hills earlier •
in the day.
Music, dancing and food greet-
ed participants.
"This event was a wonderful
opportunity for the entire Jewish
community to come together to
support and celebrate the State of
Israel;' said Rabbi Yechiel Morris
of Young Israel of Southfield, who
walked with his children, Dovid,
4, Ezra, 2, and Meira, I.
"What made it special for
me was to see so many Jews of
different denominations and
backgrounds march together,
side by side, united in their com-
mitment and love for Israel. This
was a wonderful, fun and healthy,
opportunity to highlight this
common bond that all Jews share.
"It was especially heart-
warming that Mark Segel [who
spearheaded the event] and the
volunteers at the walk went out of
their way to guarantee that this
event would be open and wel-
coming for the entire Jewish com-
munity;' said Rabbi Morris. Brad
Stulberg20, of Farmington Hills
didn't dawdle. The University
of Michigan junior, wearing a
Pistons jersey, was on his way to

the Pistons playoff game, but felt
it was important to join the walk.
"I've always advocated for
Israel and gotten involved. And
every time the community can
come together and show solidar-
ity for Israel, it's just a good thing
to be a part of:' he said.

Event sponsors: Shir Shalom,
Temple Israel, Adat Shalom,
Shaarey Zedek, Young Israel of
Southfield, Israel Chai Committee
of Temple Beth El, StandWithUs-
Michtgan, Hillel Day School,
B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region,
Greater Detroit Chapter of
Hadassah, Federation, Jewish
Community Center, JCCouncil,
Jewish Academy and Zionist
Organization of America.

Linda and

Harvey ZaIla

of Bloomfield

Hills walk

proudly.