28 | APRIL 29 • 2021 

OUR COMMUNITY

K

now anybody who remains active at the 
ripe old age of 125? Look no further than 
our beloved Jewish War Veterans of the 
United States of America. Founded on March 15, 
1896, the JWV is proud to be recognized as the 
oldest veterans’ service organization in our nation.
Last month, the JWV Department of Michigan 
was honored to be in receipt of official proclama-
tions by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as well as the 
Oakland County Board of Commissioners on the 
occasion of this historical milestone. 
Would you have ever guessed that the legacy 
of the Jewish War Veterans dates back to the 
Civil War? Initially known as the Hebrew Union 
Veterans Organization, it was created to vigorously 
dispute the erroneously held belief after the Civil 
War that Jews did not participate in the defense 
of our country. Since then, it has gone on to fight 
against antisemitism and racism in the military 
wherever it raises its ugly head and to support 
causes for the well-being of all veterans.
“The JWV remains steadfast in our dedication 
not only to Jewish veterans, but to veterans of all 
faiths and circumstances,
” says Dr. Edward Hirsch, 
Commander, JWV Department of Michigan. “We 
are rededicated to our foundational purposes of 
being ‘
A Jewish Voice for Veterans and a Veteran’s 
Voice for Jews.
’”
You can help support our local JWV efforts by 
making a contribution during their annual Poppy 
Drive. The poppy is an internationally recognized 
symbol of remembrance for those who have made 
the ultimate sacrifice dating back to the aftermath 
of World War I, when wild red poppies bloomed 
on the once scarred battlefields of Belgium and 
France.
It’s the single biggest fundraiser of the year for 
the JWV of Michigan with dollars helping veter-

ans through advocacy for better clinics, hospitals, 
veterans’ homes and Michigan-friendly legislation. 
Funds also help in the upkeep of veterans’ plots 
in our local Jewish cemeteries and activities such 
as the annual Mitzvah Day-Christmas Day visit 
and gift distribution by the JWV for veterans who 
are patients at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center.
For the second year in a row, COVID restric-
tions will prohibit our JWV from selling poppies 
in person at area shopping centers. But you can 
still be in receipt of a poppy by mail by making a 
donation of any denomination on the Jewish War 
Veterans of Michigan website, jwv-mi.org. Display 
your poppy proudly so others can learn about 
this valuable act of tzedakah that is now 125 years 
strong.
Also visit the JWV’s YouTube Channel to view 
a short video 125 Years of JWV at youtube.com/
watch?v=yYhZV_PqF2A. It will educate you on 
the JWV’s fascinating and storied legacy and rein-
force, yet again, how the Jewish people find a way 
to turn the fight against antisemitism into pursuits 
for the greater good of all peoples. 

Jewish War Veterans
mark 125 years, 
launch poppy sale.

Historic
Honor

ALAN MUSKOVITZ 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Annual poppy sales 
support JWV.

ALAN MUSKOVITZ

Dr. Ed Hirsch, 
Commander of the 
Jewish War Veterans, 
Department of 
Michigan proudly 
displays proclama-
tions honoring the 
JWV on their 125th 
anniversary.

ART FISHMAN

Bikes Wanted 
for Needy Kids

With warmer 
days upon us, 
kids have been 
dusting off their 
bikes and hit-
ting the road. 
Unfortunately, 
not all children 
have access to a bicycle and 
this disparity has been ampli-
fied by the pandemic.
To ensure all local children 
in need have access to a bicy-
cle, Oakland County Sheriff 
Michael Bouchard, Dan 
Gutfreund Realty Group and 
1-800-Self-Storage.com are 
teaming up to collect new and 
used bicycles and helmets.
Since the Re-CYCLE for 
Kids program was created by 
the Oakland County Sheriff’s 
Office in 2006, thousands of 
bikes have been collected, 
refurbished and donated to 
people in need. The Sheriff 
PAL Program team will help 
to distribute the bikes and 
helmets once the collected 
bikes are refurbished and 
repaired.
To encourage donations, 
Dan Gutfreund Realty Group 
will match the first 50 bikes 
donated on May 8 with brand 
new bikes for children in 
need.
Donations will be accepted 
on Saturday, May 8, from 10 
a.m.-4 p.m. at the following 
locations:
• Downtown Birmingham 
— Junction of Woodward 
Avenue and South Old 
Woodward Ave. (across from 
Sherwin Williams Paint 
Store)
• Oakland University 
Campus — Lot P3 corner of 
Walton Blvd. and Squirrel 
Road in Auburn Hills. 

Dan 
Gutfreund

