AUGUST 10 • 2023 | 31
Statehood came for India and
for Israel 75 years ago and,
to mark the milestone, three
Metro Detroit organizations
gathered July 16 to celebrate
at Congregation Shir Tikvah
in Troy. The event included
delicious food, musical per-
formances and speeches from
dignitaries — all representing
each country.
More than 200 attendees,
a mix from Detroit’s vibrant
Jewish and Indian communities,
mingled over appetizers before
settling at tables to hear from
dignitaries, including Consul
General of Israel to the Midwest
Yinam Cohen and Consul
General of India to the Midwest
Somnath Ghosh. Other officials
present included regional con-
sul generals of Mexico, Japan
and Korea, and other represen-
tatives from local government.
“It’s been an honor to speak
in Detroit about the strong tri-
lateral alliance between India,
Israel and the United States,
”
Cohen said. “This flourishing
friendship that our countries
share is also apparent between
the Jewish and Indian commu-
nities in Detroit. We will contin-
ue to cultivate this relationship
and create new endeavors
that will bring us even closer,
relationships that will not only
benefit our countries, but our
respective regions as well.
”
The event also marked 30
years of diplomatic relations
between India and Israel, with
both countries being examples
of democracy and pluralism.
Ghosh mentioned historic
connections to Judaism in India
going back 2,000 years, adding
that antisemitism is not known
in his country. He spoke of the
strategic partnership between
India and Israel and called it “a
very important partnership for
modern times.
”
The event was hosted by the
Jewish Community Relations
Council/AJC, the Hindu
Community Relations Council
and South Asian American
Voices for Impact.
A Shared Independence Date —
Israel-India Celebrate 75 Years
A crowd of more than
200 gathered for the
event at Congregation
Shir Tikvah.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Consul General of Israel to the
Midwest Yinam Cohen, Padma Kuppa, Consul General of
India to the Midwest Somnath Ghosh, Nasy Narayanaswamy
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Nasy Narayanaswamy, Consul General of Japan in Detroit
Yusuke Shindo, Consul of Mexico in Detroit Roberto Nicolas Vazquez, Madison
Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Korea David
Roden, Howard Brown and Sam Dubin