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Tough Pedaling
This Week
Cyclist braves desert heat in
benefit ride to help aid Negev.
Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News
Saar said, he could envision the
future as he looked over the des-
ert landscape. Riding along with
him were his brother, Moni Saar,
and a lifelong friend, Gil Shoham,
both from Israel. They called their
group "Team Brotherhood!' In all,
120 cyclists participated.
"It was challenging at times,
through the hot weather in the
desert:' Saar said. "In the end, you
have this sense of inspiration and
accomplishment — it was very
rewarding!'
The ride raised a little more
than $500,000 for two environ-
mental organizations, the Arava
Institute of Environmental
Studies and Hazon. The groups
support the idea of developing
the Negev while preserving its
natural resources.
Saar says that dream is much
closer to becoming a reality. The
W
ith his hands gripping
the handlebars and
his feet working the
pedals of his bike, Dany Saar of
West Bloomfield was like a mod-
em-day pioneer moving across
Israel. Saar, who was born and
raised .in Israel, recently complet-
ed a five-day interfaith bike trip
from Jerusalem to Eilat through
the Negev. He took part in the
May 10-15 ride to help Israel
chart a new course — developing
the Negev into a habitable and
profitable part of the country.
"When you think of places like
Las Vegas and Arizona, which are
also very dry, there's no reason
why Israel can't do it and do it
even better," Saar said.
During the 300-mile journey,
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Dany Saar on the Amak Ha'EIIa climb en route from Jerusalem
to Ashkelon on May 10.
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Israeli government has already
approved a $4 billion budget
for Negev development. Several
desalination plants are being
completed to turn water from
the Mediterranean into drinking
water for the area. Money is also
being spent to improve roads and
railroads.
"The solution already exists
— now, it's just implementing it,"
Saar said. "The sky's the lime ❑
The Jewish National Fund is a
major supporter of the Negev
development project. A bike ride
is being planned through JNF for
April 2008. For more informa-
tion, or to make a donation, go
to www.jnf.org or contact the
local JNF chapter in Farmington
Hills, (248) 324-3080.
Activism Makes A Difference
A
Sen. Carl Levin
event honor-
ing Judge Hilda
Gage as Jewish
Community
Council Activist
of the Year.
12
June 15 • 2006
t an event honor-
ing recently retired
Judge Hilda Gage as
Jewish Community Council of
Metropolitan Detroit Activist
of the Year on June 11 at the
Jewish Community Center in
West Bloomfield, U.S. Sen. Carl
Levin, D-Mich., spoke to the
crowd about terrorism.
To win the war on terror,
Sen. Levin said, the top prior-
ity is having allies, with the
most essential ally being main-
stream Islam. He urged dis-
connecting with Saudi Arabia
because that regime's teaching
of hate is the foundation of Bin
Ladenism, and they are pro-
ducing more terrorists than we
can kill.
He said how the world views
the United States matters,
and that we need people out
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Out & About
•
spoke at an
Jeff Klein of Waterford gives us
his heartfelt and provocative per-
spectives on dating relationships and
life in general several times weekly.
there to care about us. We also
need to reach out to others
and to fight for human rights.
He urged commitment-to
equal and decent treatment of
people.
Sen. Levin, noting the
importance of Judge Gage's
activism award, told the group
that the Jewish Community
Council and its activism is a
weapon in the war on terror-
ism.
"When the Jewish commu-
nity reaches out to Muslims and
makes a statement that their
rights are as important as ours,
and that the Muslim commu-
nity can count on us to fight for
their rights in America, we are
fighting the war on terrorism
in the way it can be won:' he
said.
❑
Jewish News Arts and
Entertainment Editor Gail
Zimmerman provides her weekly
suggestions for having a good time
around town.
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on Arts & Entertainment on
the left, then Out & About.
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