Metro

Lt. Ran Karmon, Justin Becker of Birmingham, Capt. Adi Zehavi, Daniel Sahalo, Larry Becker of Keego Harbor, Lt. Maayan Dadon , Lt. Jonathan Halevy, Susan Becker of
Keego Harbor, Lt. Marom Mekenzy and Stephanie Becker of Keego Harbor

Overwhelming Support

Friends of the IDF dinner expresses pride in soldiers.

Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor

T

he 13th annual gala dinner of the
Michigan Friends of the Israel
Defense Forces drew a record
crowd of more than 825 to Congregation
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield on Oct. 28.
That show of support was matched not by
the appearance of one IDF officer as is cus-
tomary, but by nine officers who proudly
took the stage to tremendous applause.
Gary Shiffman, president of the FIDF
Michigan chapter, expressed a sense of
pride in Detroit's Jewish community. "I
was concerned that with all that's going on
in the community [economically] that we
wouldn't be able to have a good turnout':
he said.
"People are here because they care
— there's so much energy and love said
Alon Kaufman, chairman of the FIDF
Michigan chapter. "It's tough out there,
but you go with your heart for the Israeli
soldiers?'

He also attributed the large crowd to
the night's honorees — Susan and Larry
Becker of Keego Harbor.
"These are the kids [who ensure] no
one is going to push Jews around — never
again," Larry Becker told the crowd.
A highlight of the evening was when the
young IDF officers took the stage, joined
by young adults from the Michigan chap-
ter's Young Leadership group. Standing
side by side, the youthful group stirred
emotions in the older crowd.
Capt. Adi Zehavi, 24, spoke for the IDF
soldiers. She told of how in 2004, as an
observer in the West Bank, she noticed
two armed people on their way to attack a
settlement. She immediately reported the
news and forces were able to neutralize
the terrorists and prevent a major trag-
edy. "On that day I realized I'm going to
become an officer;' she said.
"I want to thank you for your generous
contribution that allows the IDF soldiers
to relax from the stressful routine and to
have the ability to enjoy an educational

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yitzhak Gershon, Friends of the IDF
national director of New York, Ann Newman, MI FIDF
chairman emeritus of Bloomfield Hills, Mort Plotnick and
Josh Berkovitz, both of West Bloomfield

activity, a sports day or just to sit in the
facilities you have provided and enjoy
social games:' she said. "Your donations
allow us to stay sharp:'
As an example of direct aid to IDF
soldiers, on June 25 about 25 members
of the Michigan FIDF chapter traveled
to Latroun, Israel, for the inauguration
of the Yamam Sports Center, built by the
Michigan chapter for $2.3 million. Yamam
is Israel's elite domestic hostage rescue
and counter-terrorism unit.
Daniel Sahalo, an Ethiopian Jew who
made aliyah at age 5, received a full schol-
arship to Hebrew University in Jerusalem
as part of the FIDF Impact program.
"Thanks to the Impact program, I was
able to achieve my dream, go to college
and concentrate on my studies without
having financial worries:' he said. "I am
one of eight children ... I'm the only one
from my entire family that has an aca-
demic degree. My service in the IDF and
the completion of my degree have given
me the opportunity to improve my life,

Joan Epstein of Bloomfield Hills, Brenda
Wayne Berris and Marsha Deitch, both of West
Bloomfield

contribute to Israeli society and fulfill my
parents' dream. I would like to thank you
for your kindness and generosity; your
support not only strengthens the IDF sol-
diers, but Israeli society as a whole:'
Speaking for the local Young Leadership
group, Justin Becker, 24, of Birmingham
(son of the honorees) told of the impact
an FIDF mission had on him.
"The most touching thing for me was
spending time with the soldiers, young
men and women younger than I am',' he
said. "I'm standing here today, proudly,
on behalf of my generation, to say to my
young Israeli brothers — we are commit-
ted to you and your wellbeing the same
way you are committed to defending the
freedom of all Jewish people around the
world:'
Israeli Itzi Saar of West Bloomfield
said, "I love it. It's good to see the young
generation who will continue after us.
It's so important to feel connected and to
recognize the needs of helping. You get
hooked?' II

Sara Shapiro (West Bloomfield), Larry Becker, Dinner
Honoree (Keego Harbor), Asa Shapiro (West Bloomfield),
Susie Becker, Dinner Honoree (Keego Harbor).

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