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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.