30 | JANUARY 11 • 2024 J
N

T

he Jewish community 
of Detroit did an 
amazing job in raising 
money for the Federation 
emergency campaign that 
started in light of the war 
in Israel, with 
donations close 
to $30 million 
dollars so far in 
a period of just 
weeks. 
But beyond 
donations, 
there is a 
strong feeling 
of unity as people find 
reasons to be together and 
to feel a sense of belonging 
and brotherhood in these 
difficult times for every 
Jewish person. 
In the past few months, 
Federation’s Israel & 
Overseas Department 

has created as many 
opportunities as we can 
for the community to 
come together. Not only to 
unite around Israel, but also 
to support each other. 
Here are just some of the 
events that took place: 

ISRAELIS WHO HAVE 
ARRIVED IN MICHIGAN 
SINCE OCT. 7 
The Jewish community in 
Michigan has very strong 
ties to Israel, and many have 
family and friends living 
in the country. Since the 
outbreak of the war, dozens 
of families have come to 
visit Michigan to refresh 
and regain some strength, 
even for a short time, with 
a change of routine, scenery 
and atmosphere. 
On Nov. 16, Federation 

and JFamily held a meeting 
for the Israeli families at 
Hillel Day School, which is 
accommodating nearly 20 
Israeli students who came for 
a temporary visit to Detroit. 
Our community’s Shinshinim 
did a fun activity for the 
children while the parents 
met to vent, listen and, 
more than anything else, 
be together in this difficult 
time. 

HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS 
SUPPORT ISRAEL AS 
PART OF JSL CAFÉ 
EUROPA 
On Nov. 20, the Shinshinim 
and I did a special Café 
Europa program for 
Holocaust survivors where 
we talked about the national 
resilience of the State of 
Israel, the many social 

initiatives throughout the 
country and the feeling of 
hope that never leaves us 
even in difficult moments. 
Holocaust survivors, 
who are our source of 
inspiration for resilience and 
resurrection after a great 
disaster, watched videos from 
Israel, heard experiences, 
asked questions and sang 
together “Am Yisrael Chai” 
and “Hatikvah.” 

NEXTGEN DETROIT 
TALKS ABOUT ISRAEL 
The war in Israel raises 
many questions and doubts 
among young Jews who are 
trying to understand what is 
happening, to support Israel 
and, at the same time, deal 
with harsh criticism they 
hear against the country 
in their school and work 

The Jewish Community 
Unites Around Israel

OUR COMMUNITY

Federation’s Israel and Overseas Department holds events to 
strengthen community ties to Israel.

Lior 
Zisser-Yogev
 Special to the 
 
Jewish News 

PHOTOS BY FEDERATION