Hidden
Treasure

Discovered in Oakland County

Ann Fishman
of Bloomfield
Hills, U.S. Rep.
Brenda Lawrence
of Southfield,
Ryan Fishman of
Birmingham

Elegant estate jewelry and

beautiful one–of–a–lcind pieces can

he sours for less than you would imagine

16,000 Strong

Sold-out AIPAC policy conference
stands with Israel.

Ryan Fishman

Contributing Writer

.4.11111116,6,„_

A

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Estate Buyers

at David Wachter & Son

R&R Jewelers-
Now located at
100 S. Old Woodward
Birmingham MI 48009
248-540- 4622

100 South Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI
248.540.4622

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-5:30pm Thursday, 10am-7:30pm
Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday and Monday, Closed

1968060

Schmidt's Antiques is pleased to announce
that we are the sole sales representative
for the Estate of James C. Harrison. A
selection of his artwork will be on display
and offered for sale at Schmidt's Ypsilanti
Gallery March 21st and March 22nd, 2015,
culminating with an auction of Harrison's
works on Sunday March 22nd at 1:00pm.
Additional works can be seen at
www.JamesCHarrisonArt.com

6chmic.C, Anticue, Inc.

5138 W Michigan Avenue
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Telephone: 734-434-2660
www.SchmidtsAntiques.com

20

March 19 • 2015

JN

bout 16,000 pro-Israel activ-
ists from across Michigan,
the country and even the
world packed the Walter E. Washington
Convention Center in Washington, D.C.,
recently for the American Israel Public
Affair Committee's (AIPAC) 2015 Policy
Conference.
It marked the organizatioris largest
policy conference to date and was the
first in its history to sell out. The annual
event also drew a record 350 attendees
from Michigan alone, 106 more than last
year, with more than 150 making the trip
for the first time.
Labeled by the organization as the
"three most important days affecting
Israel's security:' the conference is not
only an educational opportunity, with
sessions designed to teach attendees
more about the U.S.-Israel relationship
and Middle East politics, but it also
gives constituents the chance to engage
directly with their representatives in the
U.S. House and Senate and ask for their
support on critical issues affecting the
security of both the United States and
Israel.
At the forefront this year were con-
cerns over ongoing negotiations between
the United States and Iran on that coun-
try's nuclear ambitions, highlighted by
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
hotly debated speech to a joint session of
Congress.
The only member of Congress
from Michigan not in attendance at
Netanyahu's speech was Rep. John
Conyers, D-Detroit.
"This year, with the largest Michigan
delegation ever to attend the annual
AIPAC Policy Conference, we sent a
very important message to every elected
member of Congress about our concern
with how and what may be part of the
agreement being negotiated with Iran,"
explained AIPAC Michigan President
David Handleman.
Before speaking to Congress,

Netanyahu addressed the diverse AIPAC
audience, made up of Israel's supporters,
both Jewish and non-Jewish alike, and of
which more than half were in attendance
for the first time.
One of those first-time attendees was
Nati Faber, 17, of Southfield.
"Coming to the AIPAC policy confer-
ence for the first time, I did not know
what to expect:' said Faber, an Akiva
Hebrew Day School student "It was more
amazing than I could ever imagine. To
see 16,000 people come together for a
common cause is really beautiful.
All of the sessions were extremely
interesting and educational, but by far
the highlight was the lobbying. To be
able to talk to senators and members of
Congress and really make a difference
was extremely empowering. I would rec-
ommend for everyone to go to the con-
ference and to be a part of AIPAC."
Another first-time attendee, 20-year-
old Morgan Slaven of Bloomfield Hills,
called the experience life changing:
"What a phenomenal weekend with
friends and family to support Israel. It's
so good to see over 16,000 people attend
and have a chance to hear Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu speak. It's a week-
end to never forget!"
Michigan's AIPAC delegation also
met with its new representatives in
Washington — Mike Bishop, R-Rochester
Hills; Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn;
Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield; John
Moolenaar, R-Midland; and Dave Trott,
R-Birmingham.
Members of Congress were asked to
maintain congressional involvement in
either reducing Iran sanctions or approv-
ing any deal — good, bad or otherwise
— an issue that was debated both in the
convention center and in the Capitol.
The next AIPAC conferences takes
place March 20-22, 2016. The cost is
$399 for general attendees; the organiza-
tion's club members are offered a rate of
$299. Registration information is avail-
able online at www.aipac.org/pc or by
contacting Michigan Area Director Avi
Davidoff at adavidoff@aipac.org .

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