26 | APRIL 25 • 2024 
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N

I

n the wake of Iran’s 
unprecedented attack on 
Israel and the expression 
of ironclad support by the U.S. 
and its allies, ZOA-Michigan 
has placed two billboards on 
I-275 underscoring American 
solidarity with Israel.
ZOA-Michigan launched its 
new “
Americans Stand with 
Israel” campaign to highlight 
the overwhelming support of 
voters in Michigan and across 
the U.S. who are committed to 
the defense of America, Israel 
and freedom. 
“
An attack on Israeli democ-
racy is an attack on America,
” 
said ZOA National President 
Mort Klein. “Iran proclaims, 
‘
America is the great Satan; 
Israel is the little Satan …Death 
to America; Death to Israel.
’”
Klein continued, “The U.S. 
and Israel and the West are 
in this together and they are 
all threatened by the radical 
Islamic Republic of Iran, 
whose goal is to establish an 
Islamic caliphate throughout 
the world. Israel is on the 
front line. The rest of the civi-
lized world is next.” 
Iran’s escalating assaults 
against Israel come only 

months after its proxy Hamas 
infiltrated Israel and went 
on a murderous rampage. 
Americans recoil at the atroc-
ities perpetrated by Hamas, a 
U.S.-designated terror organi-
zation, on Oct. 7.
Americans join the nation 
of Israel and all people of 
human decency shocked by the 
butchery of Hamas terrorists 
who went on a wanton spree of 
death and destruction, kidnap-
ping more than 250 and killing 
1,200 innocent civilians. More 
than 130 hostages are still held 
captive by Hamas. 
The messaging on the ZOA-
MI billboards urges the Biden 
Administration, our two U.S. 
senators from Michigan and 
our state U.S. Congressional 
representatives not to take 
for granted the votes of 

Americans committed to a 
strong and secure America 
and a strong and secure Israel. 
“Most Americans realize that 
Israel is fighting not only for 
its own survival but is on the 
front lines of the war against 
global terrorism,
” said ZOA-
MI President Sheldon Freilich. 
“We expect our governmen-
tal representatives to show 
unequivocal support for Israel 
as it faces down the growing 
existential threat from Iran. 
 “Ever since the U.S. voted 
to create the modern State of 
Israel in 1948, the two coun-
tries have built a special bond 
built upon the shared values 
of robust democracy and open 
pluralistic societies.” 
 

Kobi Erez is executive director 
of ZOA-Michigan.

ZOA-Michigan places billboards on I-275.

Billboards Go Up 
in Support of Israel

KOBI EREZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

OUR COMMUNITY

Gesher Human Services will be 
offering its free four-week Women 
to Work program, beginning with an 
informational meeting on May 16 from 
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at its headquarters in 
Southfield (29699 Southfield Road). 
The program, which starts on May 
21 and has sessions on Tuesdays and 
Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, will also 
offer participants the opportunity to 
learn basic computer skills in afternoon 
sessions, and these too will be free. 
“Women to Work” has been chang-
ing thousands of women’s lives in SE 
Michigan since the 1980s when the pro-
gram was originally called “Displaced 
Homemakers” and offers women who 
have been out of the workforce for some 
time, or whose family circumstances 
have changed, vital skills necessary to 
gain immediate employment. Some of 
these participants could also be “discour-
aged workers,” people who have been 
applying for positions but are not having 
success. 
“We know that there are plenty of 
jobs available in Metro Detroit, but 
for women who have been out of the 
workforce for many years, it can be very 
daunting to know how to find and apply 
effectively for an appropriate position,” 
said Women to Work coordinator Judy 
Richmond. 
Richmond added that in some cases 
women did need to update the skills they 
had, because basic computer knowledge 
was mandatory in most jobs today. For 
that reason, afternoon sessions with 
Computer Training Supervisor Dave 
Rotter would be available. 
During the program’s eight sessions, 
which run from Tuesday, May 21, to 
Tuesday, June 18 (no classes on June 
13), topics will include in-depth voca-
tional assessment; help with network-
ing, resume writing and interviewing; 
financial management advice; employ-
ment-related group counselling and 
emotional support; information and 
referrals to support services; and stress 
management.
For more information and to regis-
ter for Women to Work, contact Judy 
Richmond at (248) 233-4232 or email 
her at jrichmond@geshermi.org. 

‘Women to Work’ Is 
Free Gresher Program

