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The following editorial comment origi-
nally appeared in the Detroit Jewish
News on May 28, 1948. Statehood
came to Israel that month.

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Thousands filled the sports fields at Central High School in Detroit to celebrate the birth of Israel in May 1948.

Celebrating The Miracle

Central High rally in 1948 showed Detroit Jewry's
collective joy for Israel's birth.

I

grew up in a family where
torted by time and subsequent
my parents, Marilyn and
historical events, yet the feelings
Irving Schlussel, were in
that emerge when I recall that
the forefront of the religious
eventful day are unmistakable.
Zionist movement. Our dinner
When I think about that day I
table, especially on Shabbat,
recall feelings of pure joy, a col-
was filled with discussions
lective community elation. The
about the hopes and dreams
excitement in the air was pal-
of the Jewish people.
pable as we crossed Linwood
We would reflect upon the
heading for the football field
Mark
plight of Jews throughout the
of Central High, where the
Schlussel
millennia since the destruc-
rally
was going to take place.
Special to the
tion of the Second Temple
I
remember
the banners and
Jewish News
and the dispersion of the
flags of blue and white with the
Jews throughout the nations
Star of David proud and bold. I
of the world. Discussion would center on
remember the Jewish community coming
the extraordinary fact that Judaism had
together as one family sharing the hopes,
survived at all against all historical norms. aspirations and dreams of 20 centuries of
Yet the Holocaust and the virtual destruc-
wandering and isolation.
tion of European Jewry hovered over our
I recall my father, of blessed memory,
discussions like a perpetual black cloud
having a role in the program as he was
whose enormity was still incomprehen-
active in the Jewish Community Council
sible.
of Detroit and the religious Zionist move-
Within this historical context, the birth
ment. I particularly remember the music
of the State of Israel and the actualization
and singing as this throng of people
of the dream of "next year in Jerusalem"
expressed its collective solidarity at this
was truly the emergence of the phoenix
extraordinary historical event. The singing
out of the ashes of destruction.
of "Hatikvah" was infused with a sense of
Within this context, I was asked to recall pride and intense happiness that embod-
the celebration rally held at Central High
ied the pain of the past with the hopes
School in Detroit some 60 years ago. By
and aspirations for the future.
way of disclaimer, I am recounting memo-
Truly, on this day 60 years ago, we were
ries of an event I attended at age 7. The
the community unfazed and unscathed by
memories are probably clouded and dis-
the politics of diverse religious theologies.

We accepted the opportunity to support
Israel, the state, with our whole heart and
souls.
I am sure my parents and all the other
adults fully understood the magnitude of
the event in the context of history. To have
a Jewish state after 2,000 years of wander-
ing defied logic.
What remains most vivid in my mem-
ory, some 60 years later, is the feeling I
had of such excitement and joy as I stood
waiting next to my favorite candy store
on Linwood for the light to turn green.
Standing on that corner, I looked at the
field robed in blue and white and heard
the jubilant crowd assembling. Those
memories are rich with the texture of the
Detroit Jewish community at the birth of
the State of Israel.
In the perilous neighborhood in which
Israel exists today, its neighbors remain
implacable in their pursuit of her destruc-
tion, just as in 1948. We, the Detroit Jewish
community, should celebrate Israel at 60
with the same joy and excitement as we
did at her birth. We have the benefit of
this historic perspective to understand the
miracle of her birth, survival and growth.
The people of Israel live — Am Yisrael
Chai.

here will be ups and
downs in the fortunes
of the State of Israel for
many years to come.
Even after the brave forces of
Haganah will have checked the
onslaught of the overwhelming
masses of Arabs converging upon
the small Jewish state, there will
be need for defense and protection
and for being constantly on guard
against marauders who cannot tol-
erate the progress made by Jews
in Zion and their introduction of
civilized methods of living into the
neglected deserts.
There will be great responsibility
on the part of Jewries everywhere
and upon friendly governments
which have recognized Israel to
assist the small band of modern
Maccabees in their fight for prog-
ress and for freedom.
It is easy to become panicky
every time we hear of a defeat by
our gallant men. It is saddening
to learn that outstanding Jewish
leaders, their sons and daughters
either have been killed or taken
prisoners.
But in order to win the battle and
to help the fighters for liberty to
carry on as they are, we must have
faith in ultimate victory. There is
no room either for fear or niggard-
liness in the household of Israel.
During his recent visit in Detroit,
David HaCohen, vice mayor of
Haifa, was approached by an anx-
ious Zionist with a question rela-
tive to Israel's security. "If we are
not afraid under so many trying
circumstances, why should you
be?" was his reply. Let's remember
that and let it spur us on to greater
effort for surer victory. E

❑

- complied by Sy Manello

Mark Schlussel of Southfield is a former presi-

editorial assistant

dent of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan

Detroit.

May 15 a 2008

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