July 4 • 2019 15
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approximately 10,000 currently on 
active duty. 
The JWV is also involved in the 
annual Jewish Warrior Weekend in 
Washington, D.C., a gathering of 
cadets from military academies and 
major ROTC units. Participants are 
given complimentary memberships 
and assigned to the post nearest their 
home. Memberships are free to those 
who are on active duty and for the 
first year after leaving the service.
Schneider encouraged the civilian 
Jewish community to play a role 
in helping to bolster the ranks of 
the JWV
, imploring his audience 
at Temple Shir Shalom in West 
Bloomfield that “if you know some-
one who is currently serving or 
planning to enlist, by all means make 
them aware of the JWV
.
” 
Equally problematic to their dwin-
dling membership is that despite the 
organization’
s 123-year history — 79 
years in Michigan — the JWV con-
tinues to fly under the radar. “How 
many seasoned veterans don’
t join 
because they don’
t know we exist?” 
Schneider asks. “We are probably one 
of the best-kept secrets in the Jewish 
community.
” 
To that point, Schneider said, 
“It is imperative we reach out to 
every Federation, JCC, Hebrew day 
school and synagogue throughout 
the country. Every Jewish chaplain 
needs to be contacted and become 
a recruiting agent.
” He recommends 
the JWV establish a national market-
ing committee to meet its outreach 
challenges. 
While the JWV
, like all veteran ser-
vice organizations, requires that most 
its membership be past or present 
members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 
it also encourages enlisting non-mil-
itary patrons, recognizing them as 
valuable assets to local posts. I just 
became a patron and look forward to 
contributing in any way I can to com-
plement the mission of the JWV
.
The JWV is an organization of 
action and the members understand 
the gravity of their situation. “Do 
we have the courage and insight to 
change,
” Schneider asks, “or do we 
become a historical footnote?”
A message of survival, fitting just 
days after the commemoration of the 
75th anniversary of D-Day. ■

For more information on the JWV Department 
of Michigan, visit jwv-mi.org.

The American Technion Society (ATS) congratulates 

Larry Jackier, Scott Leemaster, and Linda Kovan for 

being honored in June at the Technion–Israel Institute 

of Technology for their commitment to the university and 

to Israel. We extend our most sincere gratitude for their 

important work.

Mr. Jackier was celebrated at the university’
s annual 

Board of Governor’
s (BOG) meeting in Haifa with a 

festive party for completing his 12th and final year as 

Chairman of the BOG. Through the years, Mr. Jackier, an 

attorney with the Law Offices of Jackier Gould, has served 

as ATS National President, co-created a leadership 

development program, and supported Technion projects 

at the highest level.

Mr. Leemaster, who is vice president and principal of 

Madison Electric Company, stepped into the position 

as Chairman of the BOG. He has served twice as 

president of the Detroit ATS chapter, and has held the 

post of ATS National President. He and his wife, Susie, 

have supported numerous Technion projects and have 

chaired ATS missions to Israel. 

Ms. Kovan was awarded a Technion Honorary Fellowship 

for her inspiring leadership and vision. She chaired ATS’
s 

first-ever women’
s mission to Israel and served as the 

first female president of the Detroit Chapter. During 

her tenure, she revitalized the ATS local community. 

President of The Kovan Group and founder of Peace of 

Mind Solutions, Ms. Kovan advises the ATS local board, 

serves on the national board, and supports several 

Technion projects. 

We value their commitment and are certain that 

their enthusiastic leadership will continue to support 

breakthrough research and innovations at the Technion 

and build the ATS community in Detroit. 

6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 120

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

248.593.6760 || technion.det@ats.org

ats.org

WARMEST

CONGRATULATIONS!

(From left) Susie Leemaster and BOG 

Chairman Scott Leemaster, at a pre-BOG 

reception at the home of Technion alum-

nus Rafi Mehoudar. 

Linda Kovan (right) of Novi, Mich., with 

Technion President Peretz Lavie after 

receiving her Honorary Fellowship from 

the Technion.

Former BOG Chairman Larry Jackier (left) 

with former Technion President Major 

General (Res.) Amos Horev.

