JULY 22 • 2021 | 25

OUR COMMUNITY

A

mid a COVID out-
break that has sick-
ened 40 prisoners 
in Myanmar’s Insein Prison 
since early July, Frontier 
Myanmar Managing Editor 
and Huntington Woods native 
Danny Fenster, 37, was granted 
permission to speak to his par-
ents, Rose and Buddy Fenster of 
Huntington Woods, on July 8, 
46 days after he was detained.
Danny complained to his 
family he had fever and chest 
congestion, though the prison 
has not tested him for COVID. 
His parents’ physical and 
emotional exhaustion was evi-
dent as they sat before a laptop, 
listening to their son on an 
audio-only line of communi-
cation. It was the first time the 
couple had heard their son’s 
voice since the ordeal began. 
“We are so thankful for that 
call,
” wrote Bryan Fenster, 
Danny’s brother, in a July 9 
Facebook post. “It’s our hope 
these calls continue and they 
give Danny continued strength 
and hope, like they do for us. 
“Our fears were realized 
when he shared that he had 
been having heaviness in 
his chest and felt weak and 
extremely feverish earlier in the 
week. He was not tested but 
instead given a decongestant 

and sent on his way. 
Reuters reported that author-
ities at the jail have stopped 
sending prisoners to attend 
court hearings because of the 
outbreak. Fenster’s cheduled 
July 15 hearing went on remote-
ly over Zoom, with his attorney 
listening in remotely from the 
U.S. Embassy there. His case 
was remanded until July 28.
“It’s the same thing over 
again,
” Bryan told the JN. “He 
has yet to be charged with any 
crime.
”
Bryan said he hoped his 
family would be granted anoth-
er phone call this week, but 
responsiveness from prison 
officials is slowing down. The 
fact that his family cannot get 
a confirmation if Danny has 
COVID, or why they will not 
release him now that he is sick, 
is “outrageous.
”
According to Rep. Andy 
Levin, Danny has yet to be vac-
cinated or tested for COVID. 
“We are concerned the 
Fenster family’s weekly calls 
with Danny might be canceled,
” 
Levin wrote in a July 15 state-
ment. “I intend to press this 
possibility with our embassy 
in Yangon and the Burmese 
ambassador in D.C. as we work 
urgently to mitigate any such 
issues.
” 

FENSTER FAMILY

Danny Fenster 
Talks to His Parents

STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Buddy and Rose Fenster 
listen to their son’s voice 
for the first time since he 
was detained.

THANKS OUR 2020-21 
SPONSORS


KENDYL & REESE KAUFMAN
KAREN AND JERRY KAUFMAN

SABRINA, BRIAN, JADYN,

To learn more about our sponsorship opportunities 
for 2021-2022, contact Marni Cherrin, 
mcherrin@hillelday.org or 248.851.6950

