O

n Nov. 10, the Jewish Federations of North
America (JFNA) and the Conference of
Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organizations hosted “Stand Together — An Event of
Unity, Strength and Resilience” at Nationals Park in
Washington, D.C.
Stand Together brought together thousands of
Jewish Americans and allies of all ages from more
than 220 Jewish organizations from across the coun-
try. There were also tens of thousands of viewers who
joined the livestream. This event was an opportunity
to reaffirm Jewish strength as a community, to stand
together against hate and antisemitism, while stand-
ing with Israel and the hostages in Gaza.
The program was emceed by award-winning
actress Tiffany Haddish and featured entertainment
and speakers calling for unity in the aftermath of the
Oct. 7 attacks.
Speakers included Michigan Gov. Gretchen
Whitmer, bipartisan federal lawmakers Reps. Virginia
Foxx and Ritchie Torres, Sen. Joni Ernst, Ambassadors
Michael Herzog and Dan Shapiro, U.S. Olympic gold
medalist Amit Elor, and musical acts the Idan Raichel
Project and John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting.
“We were proud to stand together in support of
Israel, in defense of the hostages, against antisemitism
and in thanks to the incredible backing of the United
States,
” JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut said. “Time and

time again, our history has taught us that only when
we are united are we strong enough to survive, grow
and flourish, and today has given me incredible hope
for the future.
”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke at the event: “This
bipartisan presence here is a testament to some fun-
damental truths: We stand with the people of Israel;
we share their pain; we are committed to their safety,
and we will never forget the horrors of Oct. 7.
“We stand against the scourge of antisemitism, and
we will fight back against this ancient horse, wherever
it rears its ugly head. We stand for a more inclusive,
tolerant future, where people from all walks of life can
thrive.
”
U.S Ambassador to Israel Michael Herzog said,
“We can never, not for one moment, forget the 101
hostages who are still held in captivity.
”
Relatives of Israeli hostages also spoke to the
thousands in attendance. Yarden Gonen, the sister
of hostage Romi Gonen, spoke as chants of “bring
them home” and “you’re not alone” rang out from the
audience.
Arlyn Riskind, who attended the University of
Michigan, grew up in Columbus and lives in the D.C.
metro area, was there. Riskind has been involved
in Jewish communal service from a young age and
is currently on the American Jewish Committee’s
regional board.

Riskind was at the massive March for Israel rally in
November 2023 on the National Mall in D.C.
“I’ve been standing with Israel and working to
fight antisemitism my whole life. I’m here because
where else would I be? It’s so important for us to have
opportunities to stand together and to not feel alone.
Everybody’s mishpachah here; everyone’s family,
”
Riskind said.
Stand Together took place a little over a year after
Oct. 7, but also just days after the attacks on Israeli
soccer fans in Amsterdam.
“Watching the pogrom in Amsterdam was just
incomprehensible,
” Riskind said. “My niece and neph-
ew are in town this weekend, and my niece wanted
to go to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. So
that’s how I spent the day before the 87th anniversary
of Kristallnacht, and then Amsterdam happened. So,
I actually was really looking forward to this Stand
Together event — it’s definitely cathartic to be here.
“I’m hoping people come away feeling more
empowered to stand up for being a Jew and not to
hide, because I feel that so many people are afraid,
”
Riskind added. “You can’t be afraid of who you are.
”

JEWISH DETROIT STANDS TOGETHER
The Stand Together rally marked the opening of this
year’s JFNA General Assembly, an annual conference
that brings together Jewish leaders and community

24 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2024
J
N

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer poses
with the Jewish Detroit delegation at
the Stand Together event.
OUR COMMUNITY

Michigan Gov. Gretchen
Whitmer speaks at the
Stand Together event
in Washington, D.C.

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

The Stand Together event brought together thousands of Jewish Americans and
allies of all ages from more than 220 Jewish organizations from across the country.
‘Stand Together’

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