6 | MAY 20 • 2021
PURELY COMMENTARY
1942 - 2021
Covering and Connecting
Jewish Detroit Every Week
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ecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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Founding Publisher
Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory
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guest column
Regards to Michigan
D
etroit, Michigan,
was the first place I
traveled to outside
of Chicago when I arrived
in the Midwest as Consul
General. During my five-year
posting, it has been an honor
to serve as the
highest-ranking
representative
of the state
of Israel in
the region.
The Detroit
community has
been so cordial
and engaging it has proven
time and time again that
Midwest hospitality is like no
other — simply superb.
During my tenure, one
of my main priorities has
been to bring the Midwest to
Israel and, in turn, Israel to
the Midwest. By that, I am
mainly referring to bringing
the highest levels of elected
officials from the Midwest
to visit Israel, in an official
capacity whenever possible. I
am very proud of the fact that
no less than six Midwestern
governors visited Israel in
the last five years. As we
know, there is no better way
to understand and appreciate
the state of Israel than to be
there.
Out of those five, only
one state sent two different
governors to Israel — the
great state of Michigan.
Both Gov. Rick Snyder and
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
led business delegations to
Israel; both came back with
strong positive impressions
of Israel’s capabilities and
possible opportunities. Many
potential follow-up items to
strengthen the ties between
Israel and Michigan were
explored. Detroit Mayor Mike
Dugan also led a mission to
Israel, focusing on trade and
economic exchanges.
BUILDING MICHIGAN-
ISRAELI TIES
The focus of Gov. Whitmer’s
trip in 2019 was on water
technologies. We were
honored to have her as
the keynote speaker at
the Bi-Annual WaTech
Conference that year. In
November 2019, during
that visit, her first official
international visit,
Gov. Whitmer signed
Aviv Ezra
continued on page 8
Consul General
Aviv Ezra and David
Kurzmann of the
JCRC speak to a
woman at an event.