At AIPAC's Helm
New national leader with Michigan ties energizes delegates to "step up."
David Victor of Bloomfield Hills takes the podium as new AIPAC national president.
Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor
D
avid Victor, 49, of Bloomfield
Hills is the father of four young
children. He also just became
national president of the American Israel
Public Affairs Committee, a demanding
two-year commitment that will keep him
focused on lobbying for Israel — and
often away from his wife, Kelly, and those
four small children.
In his keynote address Monday night
at AIPAC's annual policy conference in
Washington, D.C., Victor explained that
his decision to accept the national posi-
tion was thoroughly discussed and made
together with his wife.
"It's not a convenient time for us to step
up and do this," Victor told the 7,500 con-
ference delegates. "Life doesn't typically
happen at convenience'
Then they put his two older sons who
were there on the video screens, and he
said, "You gotta do what you gotta do!'
In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon,
Victor said people he didn't know came
up to him and said it wasn't a perfect time
for them either, but they'd never thought
about it that way and they were inspired to
become more active.
"I was less overwhelmed than I thought
I'd be," Victor said. "I thought it would be
a crush, but it wasn't like that. It was so
energizing, seeing people respond and be
on the same page!'
Victor feels there's nothing like being at
an annual conference to get participants
passionate about the cause.
He took the Michigan delegation of
nearly 350 as an example.
"I'm so happy they came," he said. "Yes,
they can be proud of one of the own, but
I'm happy because it's like committing
to go to Israel, and you just don't get it
until you go. It's the same with the policy
conference. You become totally energized.
The event provides a tremendous boost in
energy.
"I think the Detroit AIPAC commu-
nity will be significantly enhanced if not
transformed by people experiencing this
firsthand — you can't not get the stakes
involved and what AIPAC is doing to deal
with these days by developing relation-
ships with those who make decisions!"
At Tuesday night's conference dinner, he
said that afternoon, half of Congress and the
Senate would be in the room."This is what
makes it go and people understand this!'
Contagious Enthusiasm
The excitement was evident in Bert
Stein's voice. He slipped out to talk just
before U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice addressed the conference Tuesday
morning.
"Boy, this is exciting:' said Stein of West
Bloomfield. "This is my second year and I
came back because last year was so fulfill-
ing, and because of the times — with Iran,
Hezbollah, Hamas and a new U.S. president.
The times are such that people who feel it's
so important to protect Israel understand
that our president and Congress need to
know Israel is America's best friend!'
Stein also was there, along with the large
Michigan delegation, to support Victor.
"David was unbelievable last night:'
Stein said. "We all were so proud of him.
The Michigan delegation sat together and
we were kvelling.
"He was very emotional and right on:'
Stein said. "He'll make a wonderful presi-
dent in these trying times. We all should
be proud of him!'
Stein said the energy was palpable after
Victor's speech. When people found out he
was from Michigan, they wanted to know
if he knew Victor personally.
Robert Cohen, executive director of
the Jewish Community Relations Council
of Metropolitan Detroit, was equally
impressed with Victor's speech.
"He gave an absolutely stupendous
inaugural address last night; he was
very inspirational:' said Cohen, who has
attended six AIPAC conferences. "What
struck me most, following in the footsteps
of father, he is clearly the next generation
to step up — and they are stepping up!'
Victor's activism in Metro Detroit
including serving as a vice president on
the JCRC executive board.
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny of Temple
Israel in West Bloomfield felt Victor spoke
directly to her generation, a younger gen-
eration of leaders.
"David Victor is an example of what
our generation should do:' she said. "As
he said, who is going to assure we have a
safe Israel and a hopeful, inspiring future
— we will. He meant the generation com-
ing into leadership now He's an exemplar:
He practices what he preaches and sets
into action what he sets out to do!'
Marc Weinbaum, a longtime AIPAC
activist, was elated over Victor's election.
"It's nice to have some positive news com-
ing out of Detroit," joked the 40-year-old
from Bloomfield Township who is in the
real estate business.
He said Victor "has committed his life to
advocating for Israel" and "AIPAC couldn't
be in better hands!'
Weinbaum said the policy conference
was very empowering. "It's amazing to
see 7,500 people in one room together, all
devoted to Israel!'
❑
Associate Editor Alan Hitsky contributed to
this report.
More on the AIPAC policy conference in
next week's issue. Also, see JNonline.us for
additional updates.
June 5 • 2008
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