DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com MAY 9 • 2024 | 7 J N survivor of the Nova music fes- tival massacre, bravely recount- ed her story in that beautiful park near the Gaza border, the tears rolled down my face. But it was what she said a few min- utes later, as she showed us her late boyfriend’s memorial there in Reim, that will live with me forever. We thanked her for courageously sharing her story and offered her our deepest sympathy, and Rafaela simply said, “Thank you. Each time I tell what happened, it is as if I sew myself back together, one tiny stitch at a time. ” Much has been written and will continue to be said about the power of memory, about the deep human experience of sharing, of the many oppor- tunities to help another heal. Jewish tradition is built around communal experience, and many of the rituals of mourn- ing and grief are to assist the mourner. Israel has embodied these learnings beginning on Oct. 7 and relentlessly continu- ing each day since. The country is in pain; each person knows a hostage or someone murdered or injured or, of course. a citizen-soldier serving or having recently served in either Gaza or up north, facing the threat of Hezbollah from Lebanon, and all, of course, having endured the Iranian onslaught of hun- dreds of drones and missiles. It is clear not a single soul in the country is unaffected, nor has the threat or grief dissipated. Israelis continue to live their lives, and you hear laughter in the streets, with restaurants full of diners and other evidence of “normal” life. But just below the surface, you recognize the return to “nor- mal” is just a very early scab easily reopened by a shared story, a quick news report, an overheard comment. The television commercials, the popular songs, the streets, the museums — all full of tributes, lyrics and art in honor and in memory of those direct- ly affected by the past six months. I can recall so many stories, so many people I heard from, met and talked with. From the badly injured soldiers to a young family who survived the attack at Kfar Aza but lost their parents in the massacre, to the mental health professionals, first responders, colleagues and friends. Their stories colored in the picture I had in my head, and I will carry it with me. And they each reiterated that sharing their story with all of us was not a burden, but rather a path to healing and, most importantly, a way to ensure that what they endured and are enduring will not be forgotten, nor dismissed as fiction. As I learned, so did my daughter. Noa saw and heard about the antisemitic acts of 80+ years ago, and how while we remember those singular atrocities, we see the present. I saw the contemporary version of our recent history. And I realized something important: We as a people must continue to bear witness. We must go to Israel. We must listen. We must share what we heard, so that neither we, nor the world, will ever forget. So that 80 years after the destruction and depravity of Oct. 7, the children, grandchil- dren and great-grandchildren can recall their family’s story, having the privilege of time to share pain and healing, destruction and rebirth. Am Yisrael Chai. Kari Alterman is the senior program officer for Jewish Life at the William Davidson Foundation. ANTONIOSRESTAURANTS.COM MON. – THURS. Buy ONE regular priced pizza and get the same size pizza of equal or lesser value for 60% OFF! – or – Buy ONE regular priced Pasta dish and get the 2nd pasta dish of equal or lesser value for 60% OFF! ALL WEEK! • 60 cent Cannoli’s • 60 cent Espresso • 60th customer entering the restaurant receives a FREE Anniversary gift! • $6.60 Classic Cocktail * Dine-in only. Limit 2 per customer. Does not apply to banquets, catering, or party pizza trays. To honor this huge milestone, we have 60 days of specials at all locations, APRIL 1ST-MAY 30TH, where we give back to those who supported us over the 60 years! We Are Celebrating 60 YEARS In Business! 5829 Maple Rd. Ste. 129 West Bloomf eld, MI 48322 248.757.2503 www.maplepharmacyrx.com FREE DELIVERY MAKE MAPLE PHARMACY… YOUR PHARMACY! MAKE MAPLE PHARMACY… YOUR PHARMACY! OUR MISSION IS TO BRING SERVICE BACK TO PHARMACY FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER YOU!! 10% SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT Not Valid on Prescriptions Maple Pharmacy offers: • Low Price Medications • 90 Day Supplies • Durable Medical Equipment • Diabetic Supplies • Natural Supplements, Vitamins and Nutraceuticals • Compounding bio-identical hormones, pain creams & other medications • Blister Packaging Available MAPLE MAPLE PHARMACY PHARMACY IMMUNIZATIONS AND SHINGLES SHOTS AVAILABLE www.maplepharmacyrx.com Now offering the COVID Vaccine!