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OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER
12 | JUNE 6 • 2024
J
N
event was the best expression of unity,
solidarity and resilience, and above all —
our hope that things will be OK. In Israel,
and here.”
Stacy Carroll of Brighton, staff lead for
Magen David Adom in Michigan, said,
“Hats off to all JFD staff and our incom-
parable Jewish community. The walk at
the zoo was energizing, uplifting and a
beautiful sight to see with everything and
everyone awash in blue and white. It’s a
testament to how proudly Jewish we are in
a community filled with love, support and
togetherness.”
JN Contributing Writer Esther Allweiss
Ingber was among the first to arrive with
two of her friends. “
After having our purs-
es checked, we visited the check-in tables,
got a tiny Israeli flag sticker to show we
belonged, then took a themed cap, Israel
flag and map off a table in another tent.
“We early birds enjoyed first access to
the dinner,” she added. “Jerusalem Pizza,
falafel, Israeli salad and other food. It felt
very meaningful to be among 2,000
fellow Jews and other supporters of
the Jewish state.”
Hannah Veenstra of Redford
thought it was important for her
daughter to take part in this com-
munity-wide celebration. “It was
really wonderful to see Jewish
people come together to celebrate
Israel during such a difficult time. It
was refreshing and there was a real
sense of community,” she said. “I saw
people I hadn’t seen for years. It was
important to me to have my 5-year-
old daughter, Lily, be part of the
celebration of Israel and the Jewish
people.”
Am Yisrael Chai was the rallying
cry as Jewish Detroiters colored the
zoo white and blue to show their
solidarity for Israel and its people.
Richard Levine, a Huntington
Woods resident who served in the
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Metro Detroiters
displaying their love
for Israel
Shlichah Lior Zisser Yogev addresses the crowd.