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Just-Signed Memorandum Of Understanding Strengthens U.S-Israel Ties

T

he JCRC/AJC applauds the
69-year U.S.-Israel partnership
historic Memorandum of
and alliance.
Understanding (MOU)
The strength of the U.S-Israel
on military assistance that was
relationship is reflected in the fact
reached in September between
that the MOU represents the larg-
the United States and Israel. The
est pledge of U.S. foreign military
agreement includes $38 billion
aid ever to any country. It is a key
in weapons development, intel-
step forward both in sustaining
Dr. Richard
ligence sharing, military aid and
this relationship and ensuring
Krugel
strategic cooperation with Israel
Israel’s long-term safety, security
over the next 10 years. The MOU
and future.
demonstrates America’ s continued bipar-
The significant increase in funding from
tisan commitment to Israel’s security, its
the past agreement reflects America’ s
people and the deep connections that link
understanding of Israel’s right to defend its
our two nations.
people from the threats it faces along its
This financial commitment secures
borders and beyond, and promotes both
Israel’ s existence as the only Jewish
American and Israeli strategic interests
state and helps to safeguard its future in
throughout the Middle East.
an unstable and dangerous region. The
In addition, the MOU expresses deep
decade-long commitment to strengthen
bonds and ties between the American
the relationship goes far beyond the some- and Israeli peoples. With almost all of the
times reported and usually short-lived
funds to be spent in the U.S., it strikes a
tensions between various U.S. and Israeli
blow to those who wish to boycott and
administrations throughout history, put-
isolate Israel economically. This is particu-
ting into proper perspective the nearly
larly important here in Michigan, where

the defense industry plays such a key role
in our state’s economy. The MOU has the
potential to provide a significant bump
to Michigan’s local defense industries and
improve our state’s bottom line.
The administration and both houses
of Congress should be praised for their
work on the agreement and their sup-
port for Israel. We express our gratitude
to President Barack Obama and Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their
leadership and cooperation to get the deal
done before the end of President Obama’s
term of office.
Despite this good news, local Jewish
communities such as Detroit’s are not
off the hook regarding advocating for
Israel and fighting the anti-Israel Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) move-
ment.
Yes, there was broad support in the
administration, the Congress and the
U.S. military for the MOU. And there was
no significant public opposition to the
deal, along with support from the media.

Reflecting this, polls show a majority of
support for Israel by the American public.
But anti-Israel groups remain active.
There is a large segment of the public
that is unknowing or indifferent to Israel’s
cause. Detroit Jewry needs to remain
vigilant and work to educate our youth
and other constituencies, and effectively
advocate for Israel among leadership and
the influential in government, academia,
media, the interfaith community, orga-
nized labor and business.
The JCRC/AJC is the leading Israel advo-
cacy organization in Metro Detroit and will
continue to involve our volunteers, other
Jewish organizations, rabbis, synagogues,
interfaith friends of Israel and others in
this work. We invite you to join us in our
efforts to combat BDS and help to build
upon the reach of the MOU to ensure the
safety, security and future of Israel.

*

Dr. Richard Krugel is president of the Jewish
Community Relations Council/AJC. He resides in
Bloomfield Hills.

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Yiddish Limerick

Greetings From The Consul General

A

s the new consul general of Israel
to the Midwest, allow me to
extend a heartfelt shanah tovah,
and my warmest wishes to you and yours
for a happy, healthy and joyous new year.
On a personal note, I would like to thank
the Jewish communities
throughout the Midwest,
as well as the consulate
staff, for their gracious
and warm welcome.
I am grateful to have
found an exceptionally
warm and supportive
reception. I am con-
Aviv Ezra
fident that together
we will collaborate to
deepen the connection to our beloved
State of Israel.
The High Holidays are a time for
introspection and reflection. They also
serve as an opportunity to assess what
we have accomplished in the previous
year and what we strive to achieve in the
time ahead. For me, this Rosh Hashanah
brings a new post as consul general, with
its unique set of challenges and opportuni-
ties.
Chicago and the Midwest are home to
some of the strongest and most vibrant
Jewish communities in the United States.
You are among the most strategic partners

10 September 29 • 2016

to the State of Israel. As consul general, I
will work tirelessly to help maintain and
strengthen the inexorable and unshak-
able bond between the United States and
the Jewish homeland. This will take place
in the form of continued cooperation in
several key areas: joint economic projects,
cultural collaboration as well as continued
technological partnerships — especially in
the realm of innovation.
I will also work to promote Jewish iden-
tity and continuity throughout the Midwest
vis-à-vis the State of Israel, and to support
and strengthen these exemplary communi-
ties. Referred to as America’s heartland,
this region is truly the beating heart of
America, its very core. It is, therefore,
hardly surprising that the Jewish leadership
therein represents some of the strongest
and most vibrant individuals in the United
States. Chicago alone boasts a Jewish
population of an estimated 300,000 — and
while other Midwest Jewish communities
may not be as large, they are equally as
tenacious in maintaining their identity and
creating a thriving communal life.
We must continue to work together to
maintain and enhance this passion for our
shared roots and heritage, as well as our
joint concern for the State of Israel, which
serves as the very embodiment of Jewish
continuity.

I seek your help as Israel faces a myriad
of challenges, including security threats
to its very existence. The Middle East is
experiencing turbulent winds of change,
with an as-yet-to-be-determined outcome.
But this much is clear: The region’s radical
forces are not getting weaker. Hezbollah in
Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and al-Qaida in
Sinai are all working tirelessly to destroy
the Jewish State. Iran continues to sup-
port terrorist organizations financially and
militarily, causing havoc throughout the
Muslim world and, in the United States,
the BDS movement continues to under-
mine Israel’s very legitimacy and tarnish
its international standing.
We are only strong when we stand
shoulder to shoulder. Together we can
extend our deep roots and continue to fos-
ter thriving communities. If there is some-
thing Israelis and Midwesterners share, it
is a proud sense of tenacity and dogged
determination. And the State of Israel is
living proof that resolve and hard work
will indeed get you far.
I wish you and your families good
health, joy and happiness for the upcom-
ing year and look forward to a productive
year together ahead.

*

Aviv Ezra is consul general of Israel to the Midwest.

ROSH HASHANAH

Far tzvay gantze teg* tzu shul ich gay.**
Ich shtay*** un ich zits,**** ich zits un
ich shtay.
Ich pray with kavana***** my
machzor****** in hand,
Ich daven******* un daven from
start to the end.
It is Rosh Hashanah, a goot yor********
I say.

* Far tzvay gantze teg — for two
whole days
** tzu shul ich gay — to synagogue I
go
*** Ich shtay — I stand
**** Ich zits — I sit
***** kavana — intention,
****** machzor — Rosh Hashanah
siddur
******* Ich daven — I pray
******** goot yor — good year.

— Rachel Kapen

