INSIDE: Lack Of A Constitution • Jewish Detroit At The Max
The Influence of Max Fisher • An American-Born Israeli
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n Nov. 29,1947, the U.N. General Assembly voted to partition the British
Mandate of Palestine and carve out a Jewish state in the wake of the
Holocaust. On May 14,1948, the people of Israel declared the creation of
the sovereign and independent State of Israel; the U.S. government extended full
diplomatic relations with Israel.
At long last, Theodor Herzl's Zionist dream, conceived at the First Zionist
Congress in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland, was fulfilled.
The new state was rooted in the historic kingdom of Israel established in Eretz
Yisrael, the Land of Israel, 3,000 years ago with Jerusalem as its eternal capital.
Jews have lived in the area comprising the modern state for the last 2,000 years.
Since statehood, Israel has rebuilt a nation. In the process, it has shaped a
pluralistic, democratic society with a unique friendship with the U.S. It also has
stirred a thriving economic, political, cultural and intellectual life despite war, ter-
ror and boycotts.
Israel is home to major universities, an advanced high-tech industry and signifi-
cant research and development in the field of renewable energy sources. It has
produced eight Nobel Prize winners. It provides humanitarian aid, search-and-
rescue teams, mobile hospitals and other emergency hospitals to help victims
of disaster the world over. And it has absorbed millions of Jews from countries
around the world and integrated them into Israeli society.
Reads U.S. Senate Resolution 522, cosponsored by U.S. Senators Debbie
Stabenow and Carl Levin, D-Mich.: "The United States continues to regard Israel
as a strong and trusted ally and an important strategic partner."
This special supplement of the JN presents a sampler of reasons why.
"A Fair to Remember," a Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit-sponsored
Israel rally rivaling the one that Jewish Detroit held at Detroit Central High
School on May 14, 1948, will take place Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Michigan State
Fairgrounds in Detroit. The Jewish community will have exclusive access to the
Michigan State Fair, including the rides and attractions. Event fare will include
kosher Israeli food, shopping, movies, craft projects and an all-star musical tribute
to Israel, Federation promises. Tickets go on sale July 1.
The event will highlight a yearlong celebration of Israel's 60th birthday.
Yes, it's a miracle that Israel's democratic principles and practices have stood
the test of time amid repeated Arab attempts to destroy Israel as the Jewish
state. But it's also a testimonial to the Jewish will to survive as a people.
- Robert A. Sklar, editor
May 15 a 2008
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