DECEMBER 26 • 2024 | 7
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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
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NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOW
NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOW

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024