May 3 was a beautiful day in the Village of Flossmoor. The sun helped encourage 300 people to participate in Israel Solidarity Day in the South Suburbs of Chicago.
Although the band Kol Sasson has “been around for a long time,” according to Homewood resident Barry Bayer, “they still sound fresh.” Kol sasson started off the Walk with an hour of music as kids decorated cookies with blue and white frosting and had their faces painted. Families mingled, enjoying the company of their fellow Isarel-supporters and of important community members like Flossmoor mayor-elect Paul Braun, who was present for his first Walk.
“It's such a wonderful community event,” said Braun. “It's very important for the Jewish community to always show support for Israel.”
While listening to Kol Sasson, waiting for the Walk to kick off, I had met the Chairman of the South Suburbs Walk, Stan Dreyfuss, and State Representative Al Riley. Representative Riley, who has been to the event in previous years, emphasized that “the protection of Israel is important for us as Americans.”
As Chairman of the event, Dreyfuss was extremely pleased with the turnout. The beautiful weather was certainly a bonus, and probably brought in a “lot of walk-ins” who wouldn't otherwise have come. Dreyfuss praised all the Jewish community organizations for coming together for the event, a benefit of the “very strong Jewish community” in Flossmoor and the other nearby suburbs.
Dreyfuss in his welcome speech made special note of the two Jewish war veterans present in the crowd and invited Cantor David Reinwald to the stage to sing the American National Anthem and Hatikvah. Then, he introduced the afternoon's keynote speaker, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.
Jackson spoke of his recent visits to Israel with both the JUF and AIPAC, during which he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Lieberman, Tzipi Livni, Ehud Barak, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
“I am honored to stand in solidarity with you today as we stand in support of Israel,” he said, emphasizing the “strong voice” and dedication of the South Suburban Jewish community in supporting Israel. Jackson kicked off the walk by declaring a hearty “Am Yisrael Chai”.
Walkers had a choice of whether to go on a 6k walk around the area, or a shorter “family walk,” although many small children and their parents opted to go for the longer one.
Debbie Berman, a JUF Board Member, walked in Flossmoor when she was a child (except that then the Walk was a mile for each year since Israel's independence in 1948). Walkers came for a variety of reasons. Sara Dritz and her friend Hannah Fitter, both 18, walked with Sara's friends from her youth group. “The solidarity with my peers only reinforces my solidarity with Israel,” Hannah noted.
Some had simple reasons for walking. Justin Akujieze, of Homewood, came because “the Walk is in support of Israel, our people.” Others, like 13-year old Beth Turner, came because she believes that “when you do this Walk you do it for a good cause and you learn about Judaism.” Still others enjoy the sense of community that the Walk creates. “It's wonderful to have [the Walk] down here in the South Suburbs,” said Beverley-resident Chuck Stone.
Gideon Falk, an Israeli who has lived in the South Suburbs since 1974, explained that “it is very important to identify with Israel for ourselves and for others; it demonstrates our solidarity.”
Abby Klionsky is a senior at Walter Payton High School and a senior Fellow in Write On for Israel.
