home to us. Simply put, it has 
been way too long since our 
community has visited home, 
too long since we have been 
able to see old friends and make 
new ones,” Lester said. “We 
know that missions to Israel 
create special moments on all 
our personal Jewish journeys. 
There is something about Israel 
that touches your heart and soul 
every time you visit, and you 
come away invigorated with a 
deepened understanding of your 
Jewish identity.” 
Lester has been on several 
Grosfeld Missions himself, par-
ticipating in Grosfeld 1, leading 
Grosfeld 3 and serving as an 
adviser to Grosfeld 10. 
“The fact the Grosfeld Mission 
has been incredibly successful for 
20 years demonstrates the worth-
while and lasting nature of these 

types of important programs,
” 
he said. 
For adults in the Detroit Jewish 
community, Lester hopes Motor 
City Mission and a return after a 
decade-plus provides, in a word, 
connectivity. 
“The world we live in is 
incredibly complex, and people, 
more so than ever, are free to 
choose the degree to which they 
connect to our Jewish communi-
ty and the State of Israel,
” Lester 
said. “
A decade from now, I hope 
we can point to this mission as 
an important event in connecting 
a generation of Detroit Jews to 
Israel, to the Israelis they will 
meet and to one another.
” 
Trip costs are $4,999 per per-
son/double room and $6,259 per 
person/single room.
These amounts are for land 
costs only, which include luxury 
hotel accommodations in Israel, 
most meals, festive dinners, mega 
events and transportation in 

air-conditioned motor coaches 
with leading Israeli tour guides 
and educators. These prices do 
not include airfare.
Federation is providing a 
subsidy to a limited number of 
participants from the Jewish 
community. Subsidized costs are 
as follows: $3,999 per person/
double room and $5,259 per per-
son/single room. 

Subsidies are intended for 
those in need who would be 
unable to take part in this mis-
sion without them. If you do not 
require the subsidy, you can let 
Federation know in the registra-
tion process. 
To register and/or learn more 
about Motor City Mission, visit 
motorcitymission.org. 

16 | MARCH 24 • 2022 

TOP: Participants in the Michigan Miracle Mission 4 attended a Kabbalat 
 Shabbat ceremony in Jerusalem, April 3, 2004.

ON THE COVER

continued from page 15

W

orld Sabbath 2022, a 
worship celebration 
on behalf of a just and 
peaceful community, will be pre-
sented at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 
27, over Zoom. 
A free program of the 
InterFaith Leadership Council 
of Metropolitan Detroit, World 
Sabbath’s mission is to teach the 
region’s diverse residents that 
everyone, regardless of their faith 
tradition, shares the calling to build 
a community of justice, equity, 
respect and peace.
“World Sabbath 2022 will offer 
an experience that radiates peace 
and hope to inspire all people,” said 
Rick Joseph, World Sabbath chair-
person. “World Sabbath celebrates 
and emphasizes the roles that chil-
dren and young people have in our 
religious traditions. We are com-
mitted to uplifting the transforma-
tional power that is inherent in the 
religious experience and manifest it 
through robust, joyful worship.” 
Since its start in 2000, World 
Sabbath has traditionally been held 

in a local house of worship. This 
year it will be a virtual celebration 
presented via Zoom and hosted by 
the Baha’i Community of Metro 
Detroit. Prayers, music and dance 
of the Baha’i, Christian, Hindu, 
Islam, Jewish and Sikh traditions 
will be featured.
Interfaith leader Gail Katz will 
be honored with this year’s World 
Sabbath Peacemaker 
Award. The pro-
gram will include an 
interactive interfaith 
panel featuring Azar 
Alizadeh and Paula 
Drewek (Baha’i), 
Gail Katz (Judaism), 
Raman Singh (Sikh), Imam Arif 
Huskic (Islam), Narayanaswamy 
Sankagiri (Hindu), and Rev. 
Dr. Charles Packer, Rev. John 
McKenzie and Dr. Jacqueline 
Nelson (Christianity), moderated 
by Joseph. 

Register online for World 
Sabbath 2022 at bit.ly/Sabbath2022 
or visit detroitinterfaithcouncil.
com. 

The children’s procession at the World Sabbath from a few years ago.
Gail Katz

An Interfaith 
Celebration of 
Peace and Hope 
on March 27

