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

