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.