AJC recognizes Jewish-Arab partnership

By TMO reporter

The American Jewish Committee (AJC), a global Jewish Advocacy group, held its Community Leadership Award Dinner honoring Brenda Naomi Rosenberg, who is a community leader and a peace activist.

Kari L. Alterman, AJC Detroit Regional Director, welcomed Rosenberg and thanked all the donors and participants.

Religious leaders from different faith performed the invocation and HaMotzi.  The Rabbi, Reverend, and Imam who performed the invocations citing their religious scriptures were: Rabbi Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El, Reverend Kenneth J Flowers of Greater New Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Imam Mohammad Mardini of the American Muslim Center and Rabbi Araiana Silverman.

Herb Keinon, the diplomatic correspondent for The Jerusalem Post for over 29 years and accompanies foreign ministers and PM of Israel on their foreign trips, delivered the keynote address. In his speech he outlined the current prevailing situation in Jerusalem and Hebron especially emphasizing the concerns of current Palestinian uprising.

Todd R Mendel, president Detroit chapter, appraised the audience about AJC’s work. He said, for more than a century, AJC has been the global leading Jewish advocacy organization. Through its communication network it keeps in touch with the global Jewish community, promoting their welfare, socially, economically and politically.

Before presentation of the award to Brenda Naomi Rosenberg, Howard S Brown spoke of how she coauthored the book “Harnessing the Power of Tension” with Samia Moustapha Bahsoun. Rosenberg’s and Bahsoun’s book is a personal journey as a Jew and an Arab and includes stories of how they directly addressed the tension that separated them and used it to connect and build stronger relationships.

Bahsoun became emotional describing her good friend Rosenberg. She said she helped her in her most difficult times. She said Rosenberg was the source of comfort, compassion and alleviated her fears following the death of her mother, killed by Israeli soldiers during one of the raids on Beirut, Lebanon. When Rosenberg came to know about this she visited Bahsoun, consoled her, and after that she called on almost daily basis to see all was going well with Bahsoun. Since then they have become close friends and they both decided to write their book.

Mrs. Brenda Rosenberg received the award amongst thunderous applause. She thanked individuals who had helped her or joined her in in her interfaith activities. She recognized those who were present and mentioned the name of those who couldn’t make it to the dinner. She said, “I would not have achieved this recognition without your support, guidance and help”.

Dr. Muzammil Ahmed, chairman of Muslim Michigan Community Council, Arthur M. Horwitz, Publisher of The Jewish News Paper, Dr. A. S. Nakadar, Publisher of The Muslim Observer, Dr. M. Basha and others were recognized at the event.