elicti I Publisher's Letter

A Special
Reinti Shli

he U.S. and Israel have a
long and special relation-
ship, rooted in shared
values and democratic principles.
Since Israel's creation as a state
in 1948, and especially after the
1967 Six-Day War, America and
Americans across the political
spectrum have embraced the
Jewish state and recognized
its substantial contributions in
agriculture, science, medicine,
education, the arts and technology — all for
the betterment of mankind.
Within that special relationship is Detroit
and its Jewish community. For decades
before the creation of Israel, many of
Detroit's most influential leaders were also
ardent Zionists. They recognized the histori-
cal, moral and spiritual correctness of the
Jewish people having a state in their ancient
homeland.

T

Among the giants of that
era was Philip Slomovitz. He
departed the editorship of the
Detroit Jewish Chronicle and
in March 1942, launched the

Detroit Jewish News.

Zionism was at Slomovitz's
core, and the pages of the
Jewish News, and especially his
Purely Commentary column,
reflected this for more than 50
years. Israel and Zionism remain
at the core of the Jewish News to this day. In
fact, they remain at the core of our Detroit
Jewish community's identity.
The special section in your hands is a mod-
est reminder of the importance and achieve-
ments of modern-day Israel as well as its
multi-generational links to our community. If
you are planning a vacation in 2014, consider
a first-time or repeat visit to Israel. If you
have children or grandchildren, encourage

them to experience Israel through one of the
myriad programs and "experiences" that are
available. If you are making decisions about
charitable giving, please include support for
Israel and its many worthy causes.
Following the destruction of the Second
Temple, nearly 2,000 years ago, the Jewish
people were stateless and dispersed. Today,
in our lifetimes, Israel has been reborn. Re-
gardless of the many challenges Israel faces
in the dangerous neighborhood it inhabits,
we must never take its existence for granted.

Arthur Horwitz
Publisher/Executive Editor

WHO HELPED HER FINISH A MARATHON?

A Technion alumnus did. In May 2012, paraplegic Claire Lomas finished the

London Marathon in 14 days using ReWalk, a lightweight, computer-assisted

11,

exoskeleton developed by Technion alumnus Dr. Amit Goffer, who is paralyzed

from the chest down. Says Goffer of his invention, "Everything was based on

the basic education that I received at the Technion, which is priceless." And

he is developing ReWalk further, so more people can use it.

■

There are

many more breakthroughs at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. As

tSP1NAL St
RESEARCH

one of the world's leading universities in science, technology and medicine,

.ks

-WALIIMMAIK

the Technion is a major source of innovation. The brainpower of its graduates

helps drive the Israeli economy and contributes to the health and well-

being of people in Israel and around the world.

■

The American Technion

Society consists of thousands of people in the United States who support

the Technion. Please join us and help make the next generation of Technion

breakthroughs possible. Visit www.atsdetroit.org or call 248.593.6760.

•

American

Technion
Society

Advancing Innovation for Israel and the World

6735 Telegraph, Suite 304, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 248.593.6760
Joey Selesny, Regional Director
joey@ats.org I www.ats.org

For more information on our Speakers and Events, call: 248.593.6760

4 I Chai Israel Magazine • September 2013