Talking Solidarity ...

."Here, we're so lucky to have so much offered to us. There are
so many little things that we can do to help Israelis – like raising
awareness about the horrible things in their lives. The situation
hasn't gotten much better. Through events like this march, I
hope more Jews here become inspired to do more for Israel."

- Amanda Markowitz, 18, of Commerce

"It was absolutely dynamic that the Michigan Jewish community
came out and showed its support for Israel, to kvell a little. The
togetherness of the Jewish community coming together and ral-
lying for the same cause felt good. It felt good to be Jewish and
be proud of our heritage. I hope others felt the same.
"A lot of people have negative images about Israel from the
fighting shown on the
world news. So it's
to these
important to march for
Israel and to visit Israel."

MORE

Participants the

Israel Walk in West

Bloomfield dance

in celebration.

STORIES

ANS /line

- Gary Fink,

Farmington Hills

Celebrating Israel

Protesters don't dampen Ann Arbor spirits.

Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor

Ann Arbor

M

ore than 300 people
from the Ann Arbor
Jewish community
attended a celebration in honor
of Israel's 58th birthday May 7 at
the Jewish Community Center of
Washtenaw County.
The afternoon event featured
Israeli food, dancing, live music
and singing as well as plenty of
family-oriented activities.
A highlight of the celebration
was a mammoth mural with
bright colors and designs on
both sides created by the event's
21 sponsoring organizations
that showed "Israel Through the
Decades" and depictions of peace.
The mural was 6 feet tall and 114
feet long.
. "The organizations, represent-
ing all walks of life, gathered
under the umbrella of the Jewish
Federation," said Eileen Freed,
event co-chair. "It was an inclusive

community event, where everyone
was in on the planning process,
including the youth groups."
The Israel mural also acted as
a buffer, separating the revelers
from 30 or so pro-Palestinian
protesters chanting and carrying
signs outside the JCC fence line.
Protesters also showed up for last
year's event.
The protesters represented •
three groups — the Huron Valley
Greens, Defend Palestine Ann
Arbor and the Jewish Witnesses
for Peace, a group that has
protested Israel's treatment of
Palestinians each Shabbat outside
of Beth Israel Congregation since
September 2003.
"We do what we can to tune
them out," said Jeff Levin,
executive director of the Jewish
Federation of Washtenaw County.
"Their blatant anti-Semitism
and shameful behavior no longer
shock us. We have no intention
of letting them interfere with our
community celebrations or priori-
ties." Ell

Joseph Estis, 8, and Ryan
Pereshe, 10, both of Ann Arbor,
_ e
play backgammon, a gam
popular in Israel.

Justin Brandt, 7, of Ann Arbor
stares at pro-Palestinian
protesters outside the
Jewish Community Center of
Washtenaw County.

.

An Israel mural created by
members of the 21 sponsoring
organizations.

May 11 • 2006

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