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.” 

