Many in the crowd responded “Am Israel Chai” to Lior Zisser-Yogev, community shlichah, after her speech.

continued from page 13

14 | JUNE 6 • 2024 
J
N

Israel Fire Service shortly after 
Oct. 7, said, “Thank you to 
everybody who participat-
ed in the zoo event and to 
Federation for organizing it, 
as I know it was a major boost 
for the morale of those serving 
in Israel. 
“I sent several photos from 
the event to my friends in 
the Fire Service and asked 
that they share them with the 
police and the IDF,” he added. 
“Words cannot describe 
how important our ongoing 
support for Israel is. We are 
praying for the hostages to be 
released and this war to end.”
Detroit Federation CEO 
Steven Ingber was under-
standably proud. “The 
incredible turnout for our 
Yom HaAtzmaut event was 
a testament to the spirit and 
unity of our Jewish commu-
nity and to our historic bond 
with the State of Israel and 
its people,” he said. “We are 
so grateful to everyone who 
contributed to making this 
event a resounding success, 
including our community 
partners, our sponsors and 
especially the 2,350 Jewish 
Detroiters who came togeth-
er to celebrate Israel.” 
Valeri Sirlin of West 
Bloomfield enjoyed the 
evening. “Mazel tov to 
Federation on an excellent 
event and an amazing symbol 
of solidarity,” she said. “It 
was great to see Jews coming 
together, young and old, as 
one, with the shared goal of 
supporting Israel. I enjoyed 
dinner, walking the zoo, and 
seeing old friends and meet-
ing new ones.”
Everyone agreed that this 
Yom HaAztmaut celebra-
tion was one for the record 
books! 

Monica and Elizabeth Merzin
Shira Block of Huntington 
Woods
Michelle Turnbull of Windsor

A wave from the carousel

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

A big smile from this 
attendee

Attendees enjoyed Israeli food at the event.