May 27, 2005/Iyar 18 5765, Volume 57, No. 39
Local pair rallies for Pollard
BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN
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 Zach Charnofsky of Tempe, left, and Ari Louis of Phoenix speak with Clayton Jones of Harper, Texas, while demonstrating at the intersection of Mill Avenue and University Drive in Tempe in support of Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted in 1987 of leaking classified information to Israel. Photo by Benjamin Leatherman |
Things were more restrained, however, when Ari Louis, 22, and Zach Charnofsky, 20, staged a small demonstration at the crossroads on May 23 for Jonathan Pollard, a Jewish intelligence analyst for the United States Navy sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for leaking classified information to Israel.
Louis says the goal was to raise awareness of Pollard, who they felt was given a "raw deal" by a federal judge who "ignored" a plea bargain and issued the maximum sentence.
"The sacrifices Pollard made were amazing, as he knew what could happen to him, but he still chose to spy and probably saved lives in Israel," says Louis. "He symbolizes what every American Jew goes through ... even though you are Jewish and born in America, you still have ties to Israel."
The pair stood for two hours at the intersection, clad in T-shirts emblazoned with phrases like "Enough is Enough" and holding signs stating "J.P. 4 Ever." Their efforts went mostly unnoticed as the hippies and hipsters traveling Mill Avenue either made jokes or walked past.
It wasn't all sass, as a few stopped to learn about the issue, including Clayton Jones, a pilot from Harper, Texas.
"I respect their right to free speech," said Jones. "I was certainly interested in what they had to say, but I'm going to look into the case and make up my own mind."
Charnofsky felt they accomplished their goal through such interactions.
"If just one person finds out about Pollard it was worth it," he says. "It's a great tragedy, so the more awareness we can create the better."
Holding a rally of two isn't the duo's only accomplishment; they created the Ari Louis Synagogue in 2004, which holds a Monday night kiddush during the football season.
They're also planning a possible "shoe drive" for the homeless and a hula-hoop competition, helping Jews fulfill the mitzvah of staying in shape.
While their events might seem meshugana, Louis says they're providing activities that are both fun and informative.
"People enjoy what we do," he says. "It might seem like it's crazy or silly, but we're legitimate and doing some good things."
Benjamin Leatherman is a freelance writer in Tempe.