Detroit Evening Report: Detroiters commemorate Oct. 7 attack on Israel; Jewish Federation office vandalized; more
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The Oct. 7 Memorial Wall for the Murdered and Fallen, displayed at the National Library of Israel.
On this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, we cover local events commemorating the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel; vandalism at the Jewish Federation of Detroit offices and more.
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Metro Detroiters commemorate Oct. 7
Members of the local Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities are marking the one year anniversary since the Hamas-led attack on Israel – killing 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages.
Since then more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel’s military response, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and many more have died as hostilities between Israel and Lebanon have escalated in recent weeks. Communities in metro Detroit have been deeply impacted by these conflicts, and found ways to mark the anniversary today.
The Michigan Board of Rabbis is hosting a One Year Commemoration today from 7-8 p.m., with location details available upon registration. Several other events took place throughout the day to commemorate the anniversary, according to the Jewish Detroit Community Calendar. A candlelight vigil is also scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Dearborn at Ford Woods Park hosted by Palestinian and Yemeni organizations.
Additionally, the organization ISRAEL21c has compiled a list of online memorial events for those unable to attend a commemorative event in person.
Jewish Federation building vandalized
The Jewish Federation of Detroit offices in Bloomfield Township were vandalized early Monday morning.
David Kurzmann, senior director of Community Affairs for the Federation, called the incident not just an attack on the organization but an attack on the community.
“This is the organization that that really convenes the community that has the privilege of serving so, so many. And I think for everybody, this feels like a very personal attack on us today,” he said.
The building was tagged with antisemitic insults as well as the words “Free Palestine” and “Intifada,” a reference to the armed uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.
Bloomfield Township police say they are investigating the incident along with federal authorities.
Community members throughout metro Detroit have also reported finding antisemitic flyers on driveways in residential neighborhoods, including in West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Shelby Township, Northville and Waterford.
In a statement on Monday, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said investigators suspect the hateful, antisemitic flyers were coming from “outsiders.” The incidents remain under investigation.
-Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET. WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed.
Detroit seeks feedback on historic preservation plan
The city of Detroit is hosting two Zoom meetings at 5 p.m. Oct. 17 and 21 to get feedback from residents about the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan. The Planning and Development Department is hiring a consultant to work with the city on this plan to create a historic district designation. For more information, email historicplan@detroitmi.gov.
State celebrates first year of free family planning program
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says over 20,000 people signed up for the Plan First! Program in the program’s first year. The program covers a broad range of services, from office visits and access to contraceptives to natural family planning methods for those who want to prevent pregnancy and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. It works by allowing Michigan residents who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid to apply for a limited Medicaid benefit for family planning services.
Registration open for Detroit Youth Rugby
Registration is now open for the Detroit Parks and Recreation Athletics Division’s Youth Rugby Program. Held in collaboration with the Detroit Rugby Football Club, he four-week program takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Nov. 5 at the Adams Butzel Complex Gym, 10500 Lyndon St., Detroit. There’s a $10 fee to sign up. Visit dprdathletics.com for more information.
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