DECEMBER 8 • 2022 | 19
deal of criticism that had
percolated in the community
on social media after
watching Chokr’s Instagram
recording of the seemingly
casual nature of the behavior
of the officers at the traffic
stop, including officers
letting him not show his
identification, commenting
on his landscape business
bumper sticker, and one
officer responding to Chokr’s
wanting to give the officer
a fist bump, and releasing
him after he said he was then
“going to another synagogue
to find another Jewish
lawyer.”
They wrote: “We can
assure our community
that all necessary tools
at our disposal were and
are utilized. Township
leadership, Temple Beth El,
Jewish Community Security
and the Jewish Federation
are sharing ongoing security
and communication efforts.
We stand with the Jewish
community in deploring
this incident and behavior,
and in any such situation
we will seek to hold anyone
accountable to the fullest
extent of the law.”
Speaking with the JN, the
officer on the scene who
gave the much-criticized fist
bump gave his account. The
officer first observed Chokr
from his squad car posted
on 14 Mile and Telegraph
as Chokr drove past six or
seven vehicles making their
approach into the parking
lot.
The officer said Chokr
was slowly driving past
a line of cars and, while
filming, asked people if
they supported Israel.
This was documented on
an Instagram post that
had since been removed
by the platform. Chokr
said he was also shouting
“[F-word] Israel” out his
window while giving lewd
hand gestures. Chokr also
shouted “n-loving Jews” to
the security guard on the
premises, who asked Chokr
to leave the parking lot.
Shortly afterward, Chokr
turned south on Telegraph
where the officer pulled
him over onto Bloomington
Drive, identified his license
plate number and called
it into a dispatch. He
confirmed the white Ford
van was registered to Chokr.
The officer said he is
highly trained with over
20 years of experience,
including skills and
techniques to de-escalate
potentially dangerous traffic
stops with people who may
be armed and have a severe
mental illness.
When the officer pulled up
Chokr’s license plate number,
he had all the information
that would be contained on
his driver’s license. Though
it is by law required for a
driver to hand over their
license and registration, an
officer may not repeatedly
press a driver to hand these
documents over if they feel
it could escalate a situation
from becoming violent.
In addition to the new
charges, Chokr is also
pending a trial in February
2023 in the 36th District
Court under Judge Millicent
Sherman, where in April
of 2020 he pled not guilty
to assault with a dangerous
weapon (a felonious assault)
according to Wayne County
Court records. There were,
however, no current warrants
for his arrest.
The dispatch call also
confirmed that Chokr had
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www.hfldetroit.org • 248.723.8184
Hebrew Free Loan Detroit
6735 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 300 • BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN 48301
@HFLDetroit
Community donations help Hebrew Free Loan give
interest-free loans to local Jews for a variety of personal,
health, educational and small business needs.
STORY
My
STORY
My
It’s not too common for people to become
attached to their volunteer opportunities, but
Amy Ersher was thrilled to be returning for a
fresh term on the Hebrew Free Loan Board.
“I came back as soon as the bylaws
allowed,” Amy said. “I’ve been so impressed
with what this organization does, and with the
Board and the professional staff who
contribute so much to the community in their
quiet, dedicated way.”
Amy was initially impressed with the direct
relationship between HFL Board members and
borrowers. She joined the Board and set out
to listen and help find solutions for those who
approached the agency for interest-free loans.
“We’re here as an organization to help,
like a dependable tool in a tool belt, an
option to help improve lives,” Amy said.
“That’s what I love about HFL. We can help
alleviate stress, try to find answers, and act
as a place to turn to for solutions. We’re here
to partner with them in a way that makes
their lives better, and the Jewish community
stronger as a result. That’s why I couldn’t
wait to get back here.”