DECEMBER 26 • 2024 | 7
J
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that we cannot remain passive in
the face of such threats. There are
other lessons as well:
From mourning to
mobilization: Oct. 7 marked the
deadliest day for the Jewish people
since the Holocaust. The slaughter
of 1,200 Israelis — most of them
civilians engaged in mundane, life-
affirming acts — was a shattering
moment for our community. Yet
the horror did not end there. The
massacre was celebrated in Western
capitals, with protests erupting
in support of Hamas’ barbarity.
Social media amplified the vitriol,
emboldening antisemites to bring
their hatred into the public square.
Amidst this darkness, however,
we have witnessed extraordinary
resilience. Across the diaspora,
Jewish communities are rising
to meet this moment. In the
United States, synagogues are
fuller, Jewish symbols are more
visible, and advocacy has reached
unprecedented levels. These are not
mere reactions to trauma but acts of
defiance and pride.
I’ve seen this firsthand in the
mobilization of Jewish advocacy
groups at school boards, city
councils and Congress. This
grassroots activism is making a
tangible difference, from securing
protections for Jewish students on
campuses to advancing the adoption
of the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance definition of
antisemitism in state legislatures.
These efforts demonstrate that
enduring is not a passive act — it
is a proactive, determined stance
against those who seek to harm us.
Unity and self-defense: The
Holocaust and Oct. 7 remind
us of the perils of statelessness
and the necessity of a strong,
secure Israel. The State of Israel
is an indispensable guarantor of
Jewish safety. Its ability to defend
itself and to serve as a refuge for
Jews worldwide is central to our
collective strength.
But this moment also
demands unity. The divisions
that occasionally splinter Jewish
communities must be set aside
in the face of existential threats.
From the exiles of antiquity to the
pogroms of the shtetl, from the
Holocaust to the atrocities of Oct.
7, history has shown that Jewish
survival depends on our ability to
stand together.
Hope amid the ashes: To return to
Krakow, a place steeped in Jewish
history and scarred by unspeakable
horrors, is to confront both the
depths of our suffering and the
heights of our resilience.
As I stood at Birkenau, I was
reminded of the enduring spirit of
our people. We are here. We endure.
And we will not be cowed.
But hope alone is not enough.
It must be paired with action —
political advocacy, education and
the relentless pursuit of justice.
Our history is one of
perseverance and progress. We have
faced darker days and emerged
stronger. As I reflect on the mission
to Krakow and the work that still
lies ahead, I am inspired by the
unity and determination of our
community.
Let us ensure that this moment of
reckoning becomes a turning point
for global Jewry — a moment when
we not only endured but rose to
build a stronger, safer future.
William C. Daroff is CEO of the Conference
of Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organizations.
40380 Grand River • Novi, MI 48375
www.bigtommys.com
248.615.2102
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY AT:
BigTommys.com/eticket
For any questions please email us at bigtommyscomedyclub@yahoo.com
Restaurant 248-615-2102 | Comedy Club 248-957-6500
21 years of Age or Older.
All shows subject to change.
HEADLINER
Nikki Smigs
FEATURE ACT
Robert Horton
YOUR HOST FOR THE EVENING
Martez Jackson
5:00pm
5:00pm
Doors Open at 4:15pm
4:15pm
$40
SHOW TICKET
SHOW TICKET ONLY
ONLY
FIRST SHOW
Appetizers
& Cocktails
served during
the comedy
show.
$50
SHOW TICKET
SHOW TICKET ONLY
ONLY
Seating begins at 9:30
Seating begins at 9:30
SECOND SHOW
Doors Open 7:45 pm
7:45 pm
Dinner 8:30 pm
8:30 pm - 9:45 pm
9:45 pm
Show 10 pm
10 pm - 11:45 pm
11:45 pm
Ball Drop & Music 11:45 pm
11:45 pm - 12:30 am
12:30 am
Buffet & Show Package
Buffet & Show Package
Menu: Spinach Pie, Big Tommy's Salad, Coconut
Menu: Spinach Pie, Big Tommy's Salad, Coconut
Shrimp, Chicken Lemenato, Beef w/Mushroom,
Shrimp, Chicken Lemenato, Beef w/Mushroom,
Wine Sauce, Potato, Vegetables & Dessert
Wine Sauce, Potato, Vegetables & Dessert
$100
Per person. Includes show ticket and
Per person. Includes show ticket and
dinner only. Cash bar for all drinks.
dinner only. Cash bar for all drinks.
BIG TOMMY'S
BIG TOMMY'S 12
12TH
TH ANNUAL
ANNUAL
NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOW
NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOW
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024