8 | APRIL 29 • 2021 PURELY COMMENTARY JEWISH DOG from page 4 PARTNERSHIP2GETHER from page 6 beloved Judaic friends. For after years of study, research, interviews, and consultations with experts, I am about to publish the only guide of its kind, ‘How to Tell if Your Dog is Jewish.’ At long last, you can have peace of mind about at least this one small yet vital part of your family’s life. You’re welcome.” THE SMELL TEST The rabbis continue: “For a week, chart the things (and people) that your dog sniffs. Clothes may make the man, but smells make the dog, and in particular, the Jewish dog. “Do you find him primarily sniffing the pets of other Jewish pet owners? When you walk past a Jewish deli, do his nostrils go crazy as he makes a sharp turn to steer you toward the pastrami? And while we’re on the subject of Jewish meat, has your dog, after getting a whiff of your Shabbat brisket, jumped up on the table and gobbled it down while you’re distracted lighting the candles?” And finally, the Rabbis of Boca Raton tell us: “Then again, ask yourself if it really matters if your dog is Jewish. If it does, perhaps that’s a sign that your life is not Jewish enough to start with. “Because if there’s enough Judaism in your life and in your relationships with others, you could have a Baptist dog, a Muslim dog or an Episcopalian dog and still live a pretty good and satisfyingly Jewish life, no? Then again, if you’d truly prefer a Jewish dog, who am I to stop you?” I say the Rabbis of Boca Raton are correct. Bertie would have loved them! Sandy Hermanoff is a local public relations consultant who loves to cook and bake. LINKS WITH ISRAEL The mission of Partnership is “to create and support programs and initiatives that foster deep, interpersonal relationships between the communities in Michigan and our Partnership Region in Israel. We utilize these experiences to engage and strengthen our communities while embracing Israel as a core value.” Relationships are defined as a connection between people or groups. Great. What is it, then, that connects us? Is it that we are all Jewish? Well, not so fast. That is evolving with the times … If you happened to see the March issue of the Israel and Overseas Department’s Newsletter, you would have read about Hisham Bisharat, an avid biker, Christian Arab Israeli and dedicated volunteer in the Partnership region. (By the way, if you are not currently receiving the Israel & Overseas Department Newsletter you can sign up at jewishdetroit. org/get-involved/israel-and- overseas.) Is it that we all care about Israel as the land for the Jewish people? Yes, though, we don’t live there. We also care strongly about our local Detroit community. In fact, 70% of the funds raised by the Jewish Federation stay local to take care of needs here. Or is it the idea of Partnership being our “home in Israel”? I think this comes closest to explaining what is special about Partnership. The vision of Partnership that was developed by the committee, chaired by Randi Sakwa and Ron Sollish and staffed by Dona Stillman, is that our Partnership builds relationships of mutuality, understanding and support in which members of our communities are one family. • Mutuality — both parties benefit from these relationships and connections. • Understanding — we know about one another, our communities and our lives. • Support — we are there for each other emotionally, financially and otherwise. TAKING ACTION I see examples of all three of these qualities every day on our P2G What’s App group. When fires tore through Nof HaGalil last fall, Detroiters immediately responded with: “What can we do? We are here for you.” Similarly, when the gravestones at the Ahavas Israel cemetery in Grand Rapids were desecrated last November, the message from the P2G Israelis was clear: “We think of you and our hearts are with you always and especially in these difficult hours. We are supporting you all the way from your home away from home in Israel.” Ruthi Zamir, the immediate past Israeli chair of P2G, summed it up nicely on What’s App during Tu b’Shevat: “Our Partnership is like a tree. We have old and strong roots that keep us safe together in stormy weather. Each year, we grow and flourish, we have new branches and very good fruits.” I hope that each of you will be able to experience this home away from home for yourself. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are planning a trip to Israel. We will help you plan a visit to the region. We promise that it will leave a lasting impression and that you will come away with new relationships and connections to the Land of Israel. Jennifer Levine is director of the Israel and Overseas Department for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.