Really,
Really
High
Holidays
Hillel Day School
in Farmington Hills
sent 22 eighth-
graders to the rally
in New York at the
United Nations.
citing its discrimination against women
and its denial of rights to homosexuals.
Quoting threats against Jews and Israel
made by Ahmadinejad, he said, "He
says it in different ways but the mean-
ing is the same. If he has his way, Israel
will face destruction:'
Zoe Pinter, 16, of West Bloomfield
spoke of how Ahmadinejad does not
belong at the United Nations. "The U.N.
charter claims to maintain peace and
security:' she said, contrasting it with
what she said was $30 million in aid
to llamas and $200 million in aid to
Hezbollah.
She said FJA students have called the
White House and circulated petitions
that they sent to the U.N.
"We cannot be silent; we must and
will stop Iran from acquiring nuclear
weapons:' she said.
C.J. Apel, 16, of Farmington Hills
energized the crowd by leading chants
of "Not by Hitler, Not by You, Am Yisrael
Chai (The People of Israel Liver
"He hates Israel and is very bad
man: said Evan Paul, 13, of Farmington
Hills, a Hillel student. He said he would
tell him to "keep Israel on the map:'
Noah. Duchan, 13, a Hillel student
from Huntington Woods, said he was
glad to be at the protest because the
Iranian president doesn't belong at the
United Nations.
"He shouldn't be at the U.N. because
the U.N. is about peace Duchan
said. Asked what he would say to
Ahmadinejad, he said he had no inter-
est in talking with him. His schoolmate
Mike Appel, 12, of Pleasant Ridge
agreed.
"I wouldn't talk with him," Appel
said. "I don't think I can change his
mind."
Twenty-two Hillel students were
among thousands of demonstrators
gathered across the street from the
United Nations in New York to protest
Iran's president. At the Jewish-spon-
sored rally, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie
Wiesel said Ahmadinejad should be
tried at a U.N. tribunal for inciting
crimes against humanity, not honored
with a speaking opportunity at the
General Assembly.
Hillel's entire eighth-grade class par-
ticipated in the rally. Those who did not
fly to New York were at the HMC rally
here.
"We teach our kids that is it really
important to pursue justice and to be
counted:' said Steve Freedman, head of
school. "It is our responsibility to act on
a mitzvah and we had the opportunity
because of an anonymous donor. We
learned from Rabbi Abraham Joshua
Heschel, the late civil rights activist,
that speaking out for just causes is a
way of worshipping God. So we were
worshipping God."
State Rep. Gabe Leland, D-Detroit,
said he attended to show his support
for Israel and the Jewish people. He has
introduced and voted for legislation to
divest Michigan's pension funds from
state sponsors of terrorism.
"As a state lawmaker and as a Jew,
I think it is imperative that the state
makes itself clear that we will not invest
in any terror organization, whether it be
the genocidal Sudanese government or
the anti-Semites in power in IrarC
He was impressed with the rally and
the students who attended.
"It was remarkable watching the
Jewish youth of southeastern Michigan
rally against hatred. These are the real
change agents." ❑
Call about our Ros
HaShanah Family ret
at Butzel Conferen
Center!
*her! Burton Elementary School,
Huntington Woods
Dates: R"H Sept, 30 & October )
Cost: No Cost
.
T e Aish High Holiday program is unique
yet traditional, warm, friendly and very
uplifting. The multi-level kids program,
family services, great break out classes and
delicious lunch guarantee you will enjoy the
High Holidays.
ww.aishinthewoods.com /248- 327-347I
State Representative
MARTY K1NOLLENBERG
Take Action
Visit www.detroitjcrc.org and/or
www.aipac.org to tell the United
Nations and our elected officials
that Iran must be stopped from
developing or acquiring nuclear
weapons, and to support sanc-
tions and divestment legislation.
Educate yourself on the issues
by reading the Iran Monitor at
www.jewishpublicaffairs.com .
Proud sponsor of Public Act 232:
Divestment of tax payer dollars
from the terrorist nation Iran.
September 25 • 2008
A31