Yes, Israel from page 13

en1)

Left: Corey Rosen, 17, of Farmington Hills; Middle: Asher Moskowitz, 8, of West Bloomfield, Nathan Moskowitz, 8, of West Bloomfield, Zachary Douville, 10, of

West Bloomfield, Max Sharfman, 9, of West Bloomfield, and Jay Douville, 7, of West Bloomfield; Right: Elliott and Anna Ring of Oak Park

Detroit in West Bloomfield.
people remember we have a place of our
ticipated in the main walk.
An Israeli-themed mural, created
own."
"We're here for it every year:' Scott said.
by area religious school students, was
In addition to supporting Israel through
Tammy said, "We don't make other
organized under the direction of Yoav
the walk, Adam and other Scouts followed
plans the day of the walk. It's a day to get
Raban, community shaliach of the Jewish
the event with a second walk, totally five
the community together and it's some-
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, a walk miles, a requirement to move up the Scout thing everyone can do to show their sup-
sponsor. Raban also provided a display
rank to second class, joining Daniel.
port of Israel."
from Federation's Alliance for Jewish
Adam's parents Tammi and Scott
Marilyn B. Lantor and her husband,
Education and Israeli flags and helped
Cooper and his sister Elisha, 6, also par-
Herb, of West Bloomfield also are regulars
secure Israel's Ministry of Tourism
of the annual walk.
sponsorship. He oversaw both a seed
"We are here every year:'
and dirt project and an Israeli flag
said Lantor, whose daughter
project for the kids.
lives in Haifa. "It is so impor-
"The celebration represented the
tant to show up and support
understanding that so many of us
Israel."
have: that Israel is essential to our
lives as Jews and as Americans:'
Rabbi Rubenstein, Rabbi Morris, Allan Gale, Mark Segel
Cross-Stream Unity
said Shir Shalom Rabbi Michael
The event was sponsored
Moskowitz. "Not only were our num-
by Jewish communal orga-
bers great in attendance, but also the
nizations, businesses, indi-
people who were here demonstrate
viduals and Conservative,
how unified this sentiment is: Reform
Humanistic, Orthodox and
and Orthodox, Sunday school kids
Reform synagogues, includ-
and day school kids, even a number
ing Shir Shalom.
of non-Jews who want to stand with
Rabbi Yechiel Morris of
Israel, who believe strongly in stand-
the Orthodox Young Israel
ing with Israel."
of Southfield attended the
U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield
walk along with his wife,
Hills, offered greetings to the crowd.
Adina, and children, Dovid, 7,
"Hearing from Congressman Peters,
Ezra, 5, Meira, 4, and Tova, 4
and his work in support of Israel is
months.
inspiring," Moskowitz said. "It was won-
"Each year, it is always
derful that he took the time to be a part
beautiful to see the entire
of this event and show our community
community come together
so clearly his commitment!'
in solidarity to demonstrate
our strong support for the
A Family Affair
people and State of Israel,"
Just beyond a group carrying a
he said. "This fun and enjoy-
sign indicating that they were from
able event attracts Jews from
Congregation B'nai Moshe in West
many diverse backgrounds
Bloomfield were a couple of Boy Scouts.
and allows us to celebrate our
They were among a dozen Jewish packs
unified love of Israel."
and troops of Cub Scouts and Boy
For Rabbi Steven
Scouts who attended the walk.
Rubenstein of Congregation
"Americans need to think about
Beth Ahm in West
Israel," said Adam Cooper, 10, who
Bloomfield, the walk "is a real
participated in the walk along with fel-
coming together for Jewish
low Scout, Daniel Chandross, 12, both
Eric Becker, 6, of Bloomfield Hills shows pride.
Detroit"
of West Bloomfield. "It's important that
"I always run into people

A14

May 7

9

2009

from the community that I don't see all
the time he said.
Attending the walk with his 8-year-old
son, Ari, he said, "Walking down Orchard
Lake Road, I had the opportunity to show
my son that Israel is important to me and
to the people around him. Being part of
the walk for Israel gives me a great feeling
about Israel and our local Jewish commu-
nity"

Student Connection
Among the groups of students and parents
from area day schools were those from
Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit
in Farmington Hills, the Frankel Jewish
Academy in West Bloomfield and Yeshivat
Akiva in Southfield.
Holding a sign with the Frankel Jewish
Academy name were students including
Ilana Goss and Ben Luger, both of West
Bloomfield, who clearly understood the
purpose of the walk.
"We need to support Israel," said Goss, 15.
Added Luger, 16: "Nothing is better than
Israel!'
Debbie and Michael Balkin of West
Bloomfield attended the walk with two
purposes in mind.
"We are here to support Israel," Debbie
Balkin said. "And with our daughter living
in Jerusalem, being here as part of this
community walk makes us feel somehow
like we're with her."
Avi Kapen, too, felt a personal connec-
tion with Israel at the event. Living in West
Bloomfield, Kapen, who is American born
with an Israeli-born mother, Rachel, said
being with the community celebrating
Israel's independence has great meaning and
brings a great connection to his Israeli roots.

Wide Support
The Jewish Community Relations Council
served as an active member of the walk's
planning committee. The agency conducted
news media efforts. It arranged for tzeda-
kah boxes from Israeli charities, face-paint-
ing, Anti-Defamation League-Michigan