26 | OCTOBER 17 • 2019 S ome 700 community leaders and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) supporters from across Michigan will gather 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the FIDF Michigan Annual Dinner at Congregation Shaarey Zedek for “ A Night of Heroes” — meeting Israel’ s men and women in uniform and contrib- uting to FIDF’ s well-being and educational programs. Chemi J. Peres, chairman of the board of directors of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, co-founder and managing general partner of Pitango Venture Capital and son of the late Israeli President Shimon Peres, will deliver the gala’ s keynote speech. The event’ s honorees are longtime FIDF supporters, Karolyn and Arie Leibovitz. The Leibovitzes have granted more than 40 combat veterans with post-service college scholar- ships through FIDF’ s IMPACT! Scholarship Program. Co-chairing the dinner are FIDF Michigan Chairman Alon and Shari Kaufman, and FIDF Michigan President Gary and Lisa Shiffman. Honorary co-chairs are Cyndi and Anthony Leibovitz, Barak Leibovitz, Jay Byron Leibovitz, Rachel and Scott Leibovitz. Also present will be Sophie Klisman and Doug Harvey. Klisman, a Holocaust survivor who joined the FIDF Mission to Poland and Israel this past May, was reunited soon after the mis- sion with Harvey, a U.S. Army infantryman veteran who was one of the liberators of the Nazi concentration camp Salzwedel, where Klisman was held. A delegation of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers will be at the event, including Maj. Matan, now a doctor in a pres- tigious IDF commando unit, who will share his family’ s story of perseverance — from the horrors of the Holocaust to his brave service as an Israeli sol- dier today. Sgt. L., a commander in an elite IDF unit, and a Lone Soldier — one who voluntari- ly enlists in the IDF without having immediate family in Israel — originally from a small Alaska town will aslo speak. Guests will also include FIDF Midwest Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim and FIDF Michigan Chapter Director Paula Lebowitz. TV journalist Michelle Divonwill will emcee the event. “We are so honored to be hosting this incredible event, which each year gives our supporters the chance to hear directly from the brave men and women who protect Israel — and Jews worldwide, ” said Alon Kaufman. “This year, it is our great pleasure to honor Karolyn and Arie Leibovitz, valued members of our community who are deeply committed to Israel and its soldiers. ” The event will begin with a cocktail reception and strolling dinner, followed by a program at 7:30 p.m. Funds raised will go toward FIDF educational and well-being programs for IDF soldiers. For more information or to support FIDF, visit fidf. org/events/2019-michigan- chapter-annual-dinner. Jews in the D Celebrating the FIDF 700 Michiganders to gather for FIDF Michigan Annual Dinner. Chemi J. Peres PENTAGO VENTURE CAPITAL A s the 2020 U.S. Census approaches, Michigan is making plans to urge the state’ s eth- nic and minority residents to stand up and be counted. To boost in that effort, New Michigan Media, made up of five ethnic and minority media outlets — Arab-American News, Detroit Jewish News, Michigan Chronicle, Latino Press and Korean Weekly as well as a network of more than 100 ethnic and minority media affiliates — was recently awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Michigan Nonprofit Association. Census results will be utilized for the allocation of federal funds until 2030. Approximately $30 billion is at stake for Michigan over that timeframe. Additionally, the census information may have an impact on the number of representatives Michigan has in Congress. It currently has 14 members. Hayg Oshagan, associate professor at Wayne State University and director of New Michigan Media, said the importance of New Michigan Media’ s targeted role in the 2020 census out- reach effort “cannot be over- stated.” “Across the U.S., ethnic and racial minorities are almost always under-count- ed in the census,” he said. “There’ s a real need for Michigan’ s minority media to be leveraged to address low participation rates by helping their readers understand the census and overcome their fear and mistrust of partici- pating.” According to Jewish News Publisher and Executive Editor Arthur Horwitz, “Unlike the 2010 census, when uneven efforts to edu- cate and secure participation by Michigan residents result- ed in undercounting of ethnic and minority populations, the additional efforts being coordinated by the Michigan Nonprofit Association are meant to help ensure that our state’ s residents receive what they legally deserve.” So far, Oshagan said the grant has been used to mobi- lize Michigan’ s ethnic media at conferences and meetings throughout the state. JN STAFF New Michigan Media Gets Census Grant