Metro

AROUND TOWN

On Guard For Israel

Despite tough economy, hundreds support Friends of the IDF.

Karen and Mickey Shapiro and Gary Sakwa, all of Bloomfield Hills

Eva Feldman of Ann Arbor, Alfred Taubman of Bloomfield Hills and his daughter, Gayle Kalisman of Palm Beach

I

n the weeks leading up to their $250 per person annual gala dinner, board members
with the Michigan chapter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces held emergency
meetings and even contemplated canceling or postponing the event. Similar gather-
ings were recently called off in other major cities because of the current economic crisis.
"The ticket price is pretty steep for a lot of people. Everyone was watching and waiting
to see what Detroit would de said FIDF board member Dany Saar of West Bloomfield.
"Ultimately, we decided showing the strength of the community
and its support for the soldiers was the most important thing.
The strength of the Jewish people is everyone united!"
Board members went ahead with the Nov. 17 event and were
simply overwhelmed by the turnout. More than 700 people
crowded into Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield to support
Israel's soldiers and hear from several Israeli military leaders,
including Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Benny Gantz, IDF attache to the U.S.
"We see the possibility of Iran becoming nuclear, and that's
very dangerous for Israel and the rest of the world;' Gantz said.
"No matter the approach, we must make sure that we, with the
U.S., through engagement or sanctions, do not allow Iran to have
nuclear capabilities. It takes partnership!"

Andrew Weitz of Birmingham and Alexandra Hurwitz
of Bloomfield Hills

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December 4 • 2008

Other IDF guest speakers included the son of Shaul Mofaz, Israel's minister of trans-
portation, and Lt. Naama, one of only two female F-16 fighter pilots. She gave her flight
school wings to the evening's honoree, real estate developer and philanthropist A. Alfred
Taubman of Bloomfield Hills, as a gesture of thanks for his support.
"As a friend of Israel and veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, it's an honor to receive
this recognition:' Taubman told the crowd. "I'm inspired by the young soldiers who are
the first line of defense against the forces bent on destroying Israel. Freedom-loving
people around the world are in your debt and can take comfort in the men and women
serving in the Israel Defense Forces. They put their lives on the line every day for free-
dom, democracy and human dignity."
Co-chairs for the FIDF annual gala dinner were Shari and Mon Kaufman and Lisa
and Gary Shiffman, all of West Bloomfield. [1]

JN Story Development Editor Keri Guten Cohen contributed to this report.

For more information about Friends of the IDF or to make a donation, call (248)
926-4110 or go to www.israelsoldiers.org.

Seth Rogers of Franklin and Anna Sack of West Bloomfield

Richard and Pam Node! of Orchard Lake