Category: General

  • Shinshinim Goodbye Letter

    We can’t believe we’re writing it, but the year is almost over.  Coming here without knowing what to expect was exciting, and scary, but now we can say it was the best decision we’ve ever made. From the moment we got here, everyone welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home. This year developed us in every aspect. The way this community gave us endless opportunities to bring to life all our ideas and let our imaginations soar. The faith and trust we were given were incredible, and we are so grateful for that. 

    But with that, we had to deal with many challenges and difficulties. Being here while there was a war in our home was the hardest thing we had to do. We were torn. On one hand, seeing our family and friends under attack without being able to help or grieve with them, we just wanted to go back home. On the other hand, here in Detroit, we were planning solidarity events for Israel, getting as much support as possible. In a way, we felt that we had more of an impact here. We realized that we could help Israel here, more than we could in Israel. We shared the many community events we did and attended with our family and friends in Israel. They said it made them stronger and lifted their spirits. But none of that could have happened without this amazing community. You were there every step of the way, willing to do anything and everything to help Israel! The amount of support and love this community gave us kept us going.

    During the year we aimed to bring Israel to this community in the best way we could. Planning events, and activities and making personal connections in Schools, synagogues, Jewish clubs, and more, while bringing the Israeli culture. We feel proud to wake up every day and represent our country at this hard time.

    After this amazing journey, we want to thank this community, which is now our Mishpacha, for making us feel like Detroit is our second home.

    It’s not a goodbye, it’s see you later (in Israel).

    Love and miss you already,
    The 23-24 ShinShinim

  • Photo IS:RAEL. A 2024-2025 Abraham Gertzman Fund Supported Program

    By Jennifer Levine, Senior Director, Israel & Overseas Department

    Annually, the Gertzman Committee (a sub-committee of Federation’s Israel & Overseas Allocations Committee), meets in the spring to review, discuss and recommend a dozen or so NGOs for funding. The meeting for the 2024-2025 grant cycle took place last week. One of the projects that is being recommended is Photo IS:REAL. When Ron Sollish presented it to the committee, he spoke on behalf of his group of 4 people that did the deep-dive into this project, and he said “the entire group promotes this and believes in it. This program is a great opportunity to tell the story of shared society in our region.”

    What is Photo IS:RAEL?

    Founded in 2012, PHOTO IS:RAEL is a public-benefit, non-profit organization with the vision of bettering society through the language of photography. Using photography as a tool for social outreach, the organization facilitates dialogue between art and diverse communities across Israel. For over a decade, PHOTO IS:RAEL has provided platforms for exhibition, research and the exploration of social issues through the power of photography – out of the belief that photography is a universal language that transcends cultural, socio-economic and gender boundaries.

    Throughout the years, PHOTO IS:RAEL has successfully bridged the gap between central and peripheral populations in Israel, by providing opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalized groups from various sectors in the periphery to represent themselves, their worldviews, and speak their truth directly and unfiltered. This is made possible through Israel’s largest photography festival, where thousands of national and international spectators attend annually. Participants from diverse backgrounds such as sober addicts, people with disabilities, at-risk women and youths, minority youths, older adults, youths on the autism spectrum, among others, are given a platform to share their stories in a meaningful way, empowering them to express themselves in front of a wide audience.

    The International Photography Festival is the highlight of PHOTO IS:RAEL’s year, featuring exhibitions of social outreach projects from around 180 disadvantaged localities across the country. For 10 days, works by hundreds of leading Israeli and international photographers are showcased alongside exhibitions displaying the works and giving voice to the participants of the organization’s social outreach programs. As the largest photography event in Israel, it serves as a meeting point where diverse populations can share their voices through the language of photography.

    The organization’s activities span 180 different communities across the country, in collaboration with local partners. PHOTO IS:RAEL’s team consists of a core staff of 12 employees working alongside 650 volunteers, including 25 mentors. All volunteers have undergone a thorough 3-month training program provided by PHOTO IS:RAEL and donate their time to support communities across the country. In conjunction with our ongoing initiatives, PHOTO IS:RAEL is currently implementing PHOTO SALAM, a 3-year $1.35M program in partnership with USAID, aimed at fostering dialogue and understanding among Arab and Jewish youth in 4 mixed cities across Israel.

    What specific project is Photo IS:RAEL asking Detroit to support?

    The proposed PHOTO SALAM Central Galilee Program aims to build upon the success and methodology of PHOTO IS:RAEL’s ongoing initiatives in the past decade, particularly the PHOTO SALAM program, implemented in partnership with USAID. PHOTO SALAM Central Galilee will use photography as a language, to build bridges, and promote a broader coexistence by changing public awareness and behavior regarding diversity and shared society in the Central Galilee region of Israel.

    Over a two-year period, PHOTO SALAM Central Galilee will implement a series of activities and workshops aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding in the region. The activity will provide Arab and Jewish residents, young adults, women, and youth with a collaborative platform to express themselves through photography, enabling them to share their daily reality and worldview on a grand scale. Participants will gain photography skills and the ability to make their voices heard in a strong and coherent manner, with their work showcased through various public platforms, including local exhibits within their communities, and in the renowned annual  International Photography Festival in Tel Aviv.

    In the first year, there will be one facilitator training course with up to 20 trainees. Alongside, there will be 8 mixed groups, each accommodating up to 15 participants, with 5-6 designated as youth groups and 2-3 as women’s groups. In the second year, the program will expand, featuring two facilitator training courses, each with up to 20 trainees. Additionally, there will be 16 mixed groups, each accommodating up to 15 participants, maintaining the same composition as the first year, with 10-12 youth groups and 4-6 women’s groups. The total estimated number of direct beneficiaries of the program over 2 years will be:

    • 48-60 trained facilitators
    • 180-210 youths and young adults
    • 75-90 women

    In collaboration with local partners, the program will focus on the Central Galilee Area including the Jezreel Valley Regional Council, the cities of Nof HaGalil and Migdal HaEmek, and Arab municipalities and villages, such as Yafia, Beit Zarzir, Ka’abia, Manshia Zbeda, and others. Through mixed identity photography workshops, Arab and Jewish participants will work together, building trust and forging strong connections around common topics of interest. The PHOTO SALAM Activity will utilize the proven PHOTO VOICE methodology to reintroduce confidence in coexistence principles and foster unity in communities.

    The PHOTO SALAM Central Galilee Program aims to achieve the following goals and objectives to promote coexistence, diversity, and understanding among Arab and Jewish communities in the region.

    Goals:

    1. Promote Coexistence: The overarching goal of the program is to promote coexistence between Arab and Jewish communities in the Central Galilee region. By fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration through photography, the program seeks to build bridges and promote mutual respect and appreciation among diverse communities.

    Objectives:

    1. Using Photography as a Universal Language: The program recognizes photography as a medium that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. By empowering participants to express themselves freely through photography, the program aims to facilitate effective communication and amplify their voices.
    2. Breaking Hierarchies and Deliverables: Through showcasing participants’ photographs and narratives at the International Photography Festival and local exhibitions, the program seeks to break down traditional communication barriers. By providing a platform for participants to share their stories, the program aims to foster genuine dialogue and understanding among diverse communities.
    3. Empowerment and Joint Message: The program endeavors to empower participants through collaborative photography projects. By working together to curate a joint message, participants will forge connections, exercise cognitive flexibility, and express themselves authentically. This process will foster unity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to common goals.
    4. Physical Encounters and Dialogue: Recognizing the importance of physical encounters, the program will facilitate collaborative photography projects that bring together Arab and Jewish participants. Through these interactions, participants will build trust, deepen understanding, and forge meaningful connections, fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose.
    5. Professional Team and Evaluation: The program will be overseen by a dedicated team responsible for its implementation. This team will continuously evaluate the program’s impact and progress, making adjustments as necessary to ensure its effectiveness in achieving its objectives and fostering social change.
    6. Annual International Photography Festival: Participation in the prestigious International Photography Festival will provide participants with a significant platform to showcase their work and amplify their voices. By reaching a diverse audience of tens of thousands including decision maker on the national level, the program aims to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and promote understanding and empathy among the broader public.
    7. Local Exhibitions: The program will organize annual local exhibitions in the Central Galilee area, providing additional opportunities for participants to share their stories and perspectives with their families, friends, and communities. These exhibitions will serve as platforms for dialogue, challenging stereotypes, and promoting coexistence at a grassroots level, thereby fostering greater understanding, empathy, and mutual respect among both Arab and Jewish residents.
    8. Connections and Partnerships: Leveraging existing connections and partnerships, the program will reach a wide range of participants from Arab and Jewish communities. By collaborating with local municipalities, civil society organizations, schools, youth movements and cultural institutions, the program will enhance its capacity to bring about social change and promote collaborative living together in the Central Galilee region.

    Operational Aspects and Implementation

    The PHOTO SALAM Central Galilee Program will be implemented through a series of structured activities, training courses, and workshops designed to achieve its objectives of promoting coexistence, diversity, and understanding among Arab and Jewish communities in the region. Several unique features distinguish this program from others dealing with similar issues.

    Unique Features of the Program:

    • One distinctive aspect of the program is its emphasis on using photography as a universal language to facilitate dialogue and understanding, and implementing our unique PHOTO VOICE methodology. By providing participants with photography skills and platforms to share their stories, the program offers a creative and accessible means for individuals to express themselves authentically and communicate across cultural and linguistic barriers.
    • Another unique feature is the inclusion of women’s groups within the program. Recognizing the importance of gender diversity and inclusion, the program will allocate a portion of its groups specifically for women, providing them with a safe and supportive space to engage in collaborative photography projects and share their perspectives.

    The sub-committee is recommending that this program be supported with a grant of $50,000 from the Abraham Gertzman Fund. The full Israel & Overseas Allocations Committee will vote on it next week.

  • This is the story of Kibbutz Gevim.

    Kibbutz Gevim, established in 1947 near the Gaza border, is a vibrant community with a rich history and diverse population. With agriculture as its mainstay, Gevim is a testament to resilience and community spirit. Gevim has around 700 members, 28% of them children under the age of 18, 38% young adults and 10% seniors, the Kibbutz resides only 4 kilometers (2.5 Miles) from the Gaza border.

    The events of October 7th left an indelible mark on Gevim, affecting its people both physically and emotionally. The community’s determination to rebuild and recover is evident in their collective response to these challenges. Two kibbutz members, Shlomi Davidovitz and Ziv Hajbi were murdered, and Commander Ziv Aviv, and Pinni Dadon, members of the local security volunteering team, were severely injured. Buildings and houses suffered direct bomb hits, children and residents witnessed all the horror and chaos of the day including, bomb sirens, sounds of gunshots, close proximity of terrorists, messages of friends and families being hurt online, and long hours being locked in the “safe” rooms until being rescued safely out of the area.  

    Immediately following October 7th, the Gevim community was evacuated to kibbutz Mizra, located in our Partnership Region.  They lived either in a hotel or in small guest houses inside the Kibbutz and were faced with the challenges of re-establishing a community infrastructure there.  They quickly set up an education system for their students by creating new educational frameworks and by fitting their students into the existing educational structures in Mizra. At the same time, adult community members were trying to maintain their employment, working remotely, when possible.  In addition to adjusting in Mizra, this largely agricultural community was maintaining their fields in the far south, with the uncertainty regarding conditions and safety. To say that the Gevim community was under a lot of stress was an understatement.

    During this time, our Partnership2Gether staff on the ground in Israel reached out to Gevim community members to offer support.  We learned about their kibbutz while they were staying in our northern community and assisted as needed. We also brought three Detroit solidarity missions to visit with Gevim kibbutz members, hear their stories and learn about their successes and challenges.

    Abruptly, in early March 2024, the Israeli Government directed several communities from the Gaza Envelope, including Gevim, to return to their homes in the South almost immediately. This requirement sent shockwaves through the community once again, as they would need to rebuild the entire communal infrastructure for the third time in 5 months.

    In the wake of October 7th, the need for comprehensive support has never been more apparent. Not only the physical rebuilding of infrastructure, but also psychological and emotional well-being, local leadership, professionals for formal education and social frameworks for youth at risks and economic development.  In the words of the Gevim leadership, perhaps the most important need of all at this time is the need to reconnect and foster “a sense of belonging to the greater Jewish story”.  The Michigan-Central Galilee Partnership2Gether program is continuing its commitment to being part of that story.  Recently, an Ann Arbor Solidarity delegation spent time in Gevim; and this summer, youth from Gevim will participate in the Elaine and Michael Serling Israeli Camper Program at Tamarack Camps alongside teens from our Partnership Region.

    We look forward to sharing more stories about this beautiful new relationship and ways that you can connect to Gevim in the coming weeks and months.

  • About HaGal Sheli

    About HaGal Sheli

    We are Omer and Yaron,

    Two friends who met 12 years ago as undergraduate students studying education. We had an immediate connection and quickly became best friends. Between studies and surfing, we came up with an idea to combine our passions – educating at-risk youth and surfing.

    We began with 10 boys and girls we voluntarily instructed for a year. We made a deal with the group; we will teach you to surf under one condition: that you go back to school.

    At the end of the year, all 10 teens returned to school. Their self-esteem soared, and we did not doubt that we were on to something. We noticed the tremendous impact and wanted to expand the program to help more boys and girls in Israel.

    We quit our jobs, took out loans, bought surfing equipment and insurance, and founded “HaGal Sheli.”

    Today, we operate educational surf centers across Israel, educating hundreds of groups and thousands of at-risk youth annually.

    In the aftermath of the heinous Hamas attacks on October 7th, the urgent need for support in helping Israeli teenagers and young adults confront the profound trauma was undeniable.

    In the immediate aftermath of the October 7th events, HaGal Sheli initiated an emergency plan to assist Israeli youth in navigating their complex emotions and experiences using surfing. Their goal is to swiftly reach as many affected teens as possible to offer aid, aiming to mitigate the development of PTSD.

    For over a decade, HaGal Sheli has empowered youth nationwide to conquer life’s challenges by harnessing the transformative power of surfing, fostering personal growth, resilience, & success.

    “Tools from the Waves” was created as an adapted version of HaGal Sheli’s PTSD program, operated in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense Rehabilitation Department, providing immediate assistance to Israeli youth from Israel’s southern Gaza Settlement communities. Under the guidance of Dr. Tamar Dagan, a clinical psychologist and trauma specialist, the program is a response to the complex traumas inflicted by the attacks and is dedicated to providing immediate assistance to those affected.

    The Jewish Federation of Detroit has been a proud supporter of HaGal Sheli for several years. Many of our missions have visited their facilities and some participants have even tried surfing. HaGal Sheli was also given a grant from Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund for its work with teen survivors of October 7th.

  • Menashe’s Story

    Menashe Ram faced the heart-wrenching loss of his son, Omri, during the NOVA Festival on October 7th. Amid his grief, Menashe met with the solidarity mission from Detroit, sharing Omri’s poignant story and his deep affinity for surfing and the great outdoors. Recognizing the potential for a profound connection, Yoav Raban, JFD’s Director of Grants & Outreach in Israel, orchestrated a meeting between Menashe and HaGal Sheli (My Wave), a longtime partner of the Jewish Federation of Detroit. In the ensuing months, the bond between Menashe and HaGal Sheli flourished as they endeavored to honor Omri’s memory through his shared love for riding the waves and embracing the vast expanse of the sea. Yet, Omri’s love of life extended beyond the surf; he found joy in the simple act of tossing a frisbee, believing that with each throw, a piece of his spirit took flight. Inspired by Omri’s enduring spirit, Menashe and his family embarked on a heartfelt mission to extend Omri’s legacy. After Pesach, the Ram family plans to donate frisbees engraved with Omri’s image and his cherished sentiment to HaGal Sheli participants. Through this act of generosity and remembrance, they aimed to inspire others to overcome adversity, reach new heights, and carry forth the essence of Omri’s unwavering spirit.

  • Introducing the Elaine and Michael Serling Israeli Camper Program

    By Jennifer Levine, Senior Director of Federation’s Israel & Overseas Department

    Federation’s Israeli Camper Program began in 2002, in response to the terror attacks in Israel which resulted in the cancellation of the 200-person Teen Mission. Bob Aronson, the then CEO of the Jewish Federation of Detroit, asked the community “if we can’t send our young people there – why don’t we bring their young people here?” In less than a month $1,000,000 was raised and 325 Israelis between the ages of 13 and 16 came to Tamarack Camp’s Camp Maas as participants. Most of them from our Partnership Region in Israel – including our current Shlicha Lior Zisser-Yogev and our past Shaliach Eviatar Baskis.

    Now, in our 22nd year of bringing Partnership 2Gether teens to Tamarack, we are incredibly proud of what the Israel Camper Program has become. It is one of the cornerstones of our Partnership 2Gether and one of our Israel and Overseas department’s flagship programs.

    As summer approaches we have two announcements regarding the program: First, due to the war, we are almost doubling the number of campers this summer and will be including evacuees from the north and south. We are so grateful to our partners in this program, Tamarack Camps, for finding the room at camp for the extra kids and staff for us to make this happen and for being so accommodating in altering activities that might evoke anxiety for kids who are coming from a country immersed in war (like fireworks and night raids).

    Second, we are THRILLED to share that Elaine and Michael Serling have provided a substantial endowment gift to help secure the future of our program! We will now be known as the Elaine and Michael Serling Israeli Camper Program. Elaine and Michael are long time Tamarack supporters and have also given generously to Federation’s Shinshinim program.

    “Elaine and Michael represent the very best of our Jewish community, and their foundational support for this program exemplifies their visionary commitment to making a difference,” said Steven Ingber, Federation CEO. “Thanks to the Elaine and Michael Serling Israeli Camper Program, a new generation of Israeli youth will have an experience that enriches their entire lives—while kids from our own community deepen their relationship with Israel. The impact of this gift is extraordinary.”

  • Passover 2024 / 5784 – This night is very different to other nights..

    By Naomi Miller

    On the evening of April 22, an estimated 98% of Jewish Israelis will participate in a Passover Seder. Based on a recent survey, 83% of Israelis feel that it is important that their children experience this annual tradition of togetherness, reading the Haggadah, singing songs, asking questions, eating unique once a year food and enjoying quality time with family and friends.

    Passover is also known as the Festival of Spring and the Festival of Freedom, remembering our new beginning, from a nation enslaved to a redeemed people. 

    Spring has started in Israel. The weather is glorious and sunny, the flowers are blooming, and spring cleaning is in full force. Yet, the Festival of Freedom is not too convincing to many Israelis. How can we feel totally free when we are in the 7th month of war with 133 Israeli hostages still hidden in tunnels, facing what could be modern day slavery?

    In the Haggadah we read about our transition from slavery to redemption and are encouraged to imagine it as if we ourselves were liberated and participated in the Exodus from Egypt. We recall Moses’s appeal to Pharoah to “Let my People Go”, followed by the birth of a free nation, from slavery to redemption. Many Israelis are saying that it is the first time since statehood that we are experiencing a strange reality at our seder, where we are not all liberated. This year feels very different. 

    The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has compiled its own Haggadah, to honor the hostages still held in captivity. The Haggadah, titled “I brought you up from the land of Egypt; I redeemed you from the house of bondage” was printed at the recently reopened printing house of Kibbutz Be’eri in the Gaza Envelope (over 90 of its residents were killed and 20 kidnapped on October 7). This year, “what makes this night different from all other nights” has new meaning. We pray that one answer will be that 133 hostages are freed, that this night will be very different than their last 190+ nights that they have endured, and they too will dine at their seder tables.

    https://solidarity.bringthemhomenow.net/product-page/donate-100-and-get-5-passover-haggadah

  • The Shinshinim Corner, March 2024

    Three weeks ago, my journey led me to Israel for a significant mission: selecting the Detroit 2024-2025 ShinShinim alongside my esteemed colleagues. Each trip to Israel holds its own anticipation and excitement, but this particular visit carried a unique energy, tinged with anticipation and reflection following the events of October 7th. Originally scheduled for December, the trip had been postponed due to the conflict and lack of flights.

    Arriving in Israel during such a pivotal moment, my conversations with friends and associates naturally gravitated towards somber subjects – hostages, funerals, and the burden of reserve duty. The weight of recent events lingered in the air, whether in the hushed tones of coffee shop conversations or the shared experiences of those seeking shelter in my hotel. Memories of life before the unrest on October 7th were palpable in every encounter.

    Amidst this backdrop, the screening process for the ShinShinim program served as a beacon of hope. Witnessing the determination and courage of these young Israelis, who saw building connections between Israel and the diaspora as paramount, filled me with optimism. In the aftermath of October 7th, the support of American Jewry towards Israel has been unwavering. In our partnership with the Detroit community, it’s evident that knowing they have a network of support – individuals praying, thinking, and advocating for them – provides solace to those facing challenging times. Come August 2024, five outstanding individuals will embark on their ShinShin year in Detroit, recognizing how the events of October 7th have underscored the importance of unity within global Jewry.

    Reflecting on my time in Israel, one profound realization stands out: the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Israeli people. Despite facing formidable challenges, there was a prevailing determination among everyone I encountered to envision a future where discussions no longer center around threats and uncertainty but rather around hope and progress.

    As I contemplate my return to Israel in late spring, I hold onto the fervent hope that the days of discussing hostages and rockets will soon become relics of the past. May our community, united, be blessed with health, safety, and prosperity as we journey forward together as a steadfast Jewish people.

  • Shabbat Message

    Steve Ingber, CEO

    February 16, 2024

    On Monday night, almost a thousand participants gathered for our annual Women’s Philanthropy Signature event.

    What could bring out so many women on an otherwise ordinary Monday night?

    If your answer is Debra Messing, the famous Jewish actress, you’re right.

    But not completely.

    The other answer to this question – and I would say the more important answer – is that the event was a chance to connect, to be inspired, and to stand together as a united Jewish community.

    In other words, to do what we do best as Jewish Detroiters.

    These are difficult times for the Jewish people. Our brothers and sisters in Israel are at war with Hamas, a terrible conflict they did not ask for. Over a hundred hostages remain in Gaza, a fact that many in the rest of the world seem to have forgotten.  Antisemitism has risen to levels we’ve not seen in generations.

    But what defines us as a people, and what I believe makes us so unique, is our ability to unite in the face of difficulties and to always be there for one another.

    That is what the Signature event was all about, a thousand women laughing, and grieving, and loudly proclaiming, as they did at the end of the evening, Am Yisrael Chai.

    And that is just one example.

    Next month, our Young Adult community will gather for the EPIC event, which this year will celebrate diverse Jewish communities around the world. After that, we’ll have many other great programs, including a very meaningful observance of Yom Hazikaron and Yom HaAtamaut in the spring.

    I hope you can make it to one of our events, but if you can’t, I encourage you to find community wherever it is right for you, at your temple or synagogue, in a Jewish Ed class, or tonight at your Shabbos dinner.

    As I often say, Just do Jewish.

    When you do, you not only enrich your own life, you strengthen our entire community.

    To paraphrase the words of one the speakers at Monday’s event: When we come together as a community, we support one another, uplift each other, and ensure that every Jewish individual knows that they are loved and that they belong. 

    I hope to see you soon.

    Shabbat Shalom.

  • Shabbat Message

    from Michael Berger, President of the United Jewish Foundation

    January 5, 2024

    Just a few weeks ago, I had the honor of joining a delegation of 18 Detroit community leaders on a Federation solidarity mission to Israel. 

    Richard Broder, Bubba Urdan, Jonnny Alster, Avi Aviram, Michael Berger

    We went to bear witness to the devastation of the Hamas assault of October 7th, to learn about the ongoing impact this has had on the citizens of Israel and their resolve to ensure that this never happens again. 

    We went to see, firsthand, the incredible support our community has provided in the wake of this tragedy. 

    Most importantly, though, we went to express our unwavering love and commitment to our family in Israel. 

    What we encountered there was heartbreaking, shocking, and often difficult to process. 



    We met with family members of those who were killed or taken hostage by the terrorists. This included the parents of Omri Ram, a young man who was murdered at the Nova music festival. They told us about the desperate calls they received while Omri and his friends hid and evaded the Hamas terrorists, until finally the calls just stopped. Omri loved surfing and today his memory is kept alive in the messages inscribed on the surfboard that his friends presented to his parents at his memorial.

    We spent time with Dani Miran, whose son was kidnapped on October 7th. The depth of his sorrow was unfathomable, but so, too, was his reserve of strength and optimism as he advocates for the release of all the hostages — and waits and prays for his son’s safe return.

    At the Sheba Medical Center, we met Avishai Shoshani, a 50-year-old wounded IDF reservist and a father of four from our partnership region who had been shot in both legs while trying to save a fellow soldier. He has served in six different conflicts to defend and protect Israel over the past 30 years. Avishai had been in rehab for five weeks, learning to walk again with remarkable fortitude. His goal is to run in the Mountain to Valley 24-hour run in our Partnership Region in May, and we hope our community can be there to cheer him on!

    MIchael Berger with Avishai Shoshani and his family

    We visited the graveyard of hundreds of burnt-out vehicles from the Nova festival, a testament to the sheer brutality of the massacre. Technicians there were still combing through the ashes to identify victims, so that all would have a proper burial.

    We spent time with our friends and family in our partnership region of the Central Galilee, listening to their experiences and hopes for the future. Above all, we were there to affirm our unbreakable bond, now more important than ever. 

    Perhaps the most difficult visit of all was to Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the most successful and beautiful kibbutzim in Israel. The Kibbutz operates a successful state-of-the-art printing business that remains in operation. On October 7th, more than 500 Hamas terrorists invaded this peaceful community, killing 120 individuals and kidnapping 24 others. 

    Our guide, Lotan Pinyan, described his personal experience as a member of the kibbutz, recalling the murder of his wife’s parents on that terrible morning. He shared a powerful message with us, saying: “We have lost everything. But we are Jews, and we will rebuild our lives better than before. We have to, for the sake of our children.”  

    His children expressed to him an incredible message, as the kibbutz remains in shambles with hundreds of buildings destroyed and deserted that “home is wherever the family lives.”

    Betsy Heuer (center), with Kibbutz Gavin evacuees

    These messages capture the extraordinary spirit of the Israeli people including the children, who for the past three months have drawn from a deep well of resilience and determination. 

    We were all moved by the sincere appreciation from everyone we met, from the families of the hostages to the cab drivers and hotel staff. Their graciousness, together with their strength and courage, was nothing short of extraordinary.

    Israel has faced the greatest atrocity in its history and is now embattled with a ruthless and amoral enemy—a fact that too many in our world refuse to acknowledge. Despite this, as Lotan himself said, the people of Israel will prevail, they will continue to thrive as a free and just nation. 

    I am proud to say that this is a future that our Detroit community is helping to ensure. I can report, firsthand, that your endless thoughts and prayers, your solidarity and your generous support has made a tremendous difference. The people of Israel know how much we care, and that they are not alone.

    It was a great privilege to represent our community, and to return with a simple but essential message: Am Yisrael Chai. We are one family and one people.  

    I am so proud of Our Community.  Now and always, we will continue to bear witness, volunteer, contribute and express our love for Israel.

    Shabbat Shalom. 

    Click here to see the photo gallery.