1942 - 2023
Covering and Connecting
Jewish Detroit Every Week
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News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish
people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel.
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Detroit Jewish community, refl
ecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
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thejewishnews.com
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The Detroit Jewish
News Foundation
| Board of Directors:
Chair: Gary Torgow
Vice President: David Kramer
Secretary: Robin Axelrod
Treasurer: Max Berlin
Board members: Michael J. Eizelman
Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel,
Mark Zausmer
Executive Director:
Marni Raitt
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Mark Davidoff
Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair:
Mike Smith
Founding President & Publisher Emeritus:
Arthur Horwitz
Founding Publisher
Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory
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6 | NOVEMBER 30 • 2023 J
N
essay
Being Here Is Important
I
’m 18 years old from a
village called Ahuzzat
Batak in the Jezreel Valley.
I’m here for a gap year
between my high school
graduation and
my service in
the IDF. I am
volunteering
in the different
Jewish
institutions
like the Jewish
Federation,
Congregation Shaarey Zedek,
Temple Israel, Temple Beth
El, Adat Shalom Synagogue
and JCRC/AJC. I’m here
to build the connection
between Israel and the
Jewish community here.
Being here became more
significant than I ever
imagined it to be. When the
war broke out, I felt guilty
for not being home. I wanted
to cry and grieve with my
family and friends or just get
a hug from my mom.
But as time goes by, I
understand more what
it means to be here. I
understand that I have the
power to do something, to
impact someone. I’m here
to bring Israel to Michigan.
I am here to get support
for my country, share their
stories and their pain, and
show them that we have
not only a strong Jewish
community behind us, but
amazing allies as well, as we
saw at the rally at D.C.
I lost some close people,
too. But the only thing I
can do for them right now
is to lift my head up high
and show how strong we are
even after this unbelievable
tragedy.
I know that my family and
friends are proud of me and
my work here. I will continue
to stay strong for them and
make them proud!
Erela Sabag is part of the new cohort
of Shinshinim in Metro Detroit for the
2023-2024 year.
COURTESY ERELA SABAG
PURELY COMMENTARY
Erela Sabag
Shinshinim at the March for Israel in Washington, D.C.: Itamar Grife,
Ofri Lellouche, Shahaf Harari, Erela Sabag and Itay Nussbaum.