return to the United States. #BringDannyHome.” Fenster is managing editor of online magazine Frontier Myanmar and has worked to cover life in that country before and during the coup. On May 24, the publication released a statement that it believes Fenster is being detained at Insein Prison. According to reports from the New York Times, Insein (pronounced “insane”) is a 134-year-old prison notorious for harsh conditions and the ill treatment and torture of captives. Since the military junta took over the government in Myanmar in February, it has packed the circular-shaped prison to twice its capacity. Prisoners sleep on straw mattresses and food is often nothing more than rice contaminated with small stones. According to reports from the Washington Post, the military government of Myanmar routinely publishes lists of “wanted” journalists, accusing them of affecting “state stability.” It has detained more than 70 journalists. Fenster’s parents, Rose and Buddy Fenster of Huntington Woods, have made television appearances on several media outlets, including CNN, to publicly voice their plea for their son’s release. In an interview with the JN, Bryan said he, family and friends are trying to keep focused on creative ways to continue to tell Danny’s story. Bryan said many of Danny’s childhood and high school friends are working tirelessly to support his family and keep the spotlight on the journalist’s plight. Supporters include Jeffrey Nolish of Detroit. He and
Danny grew up together in Huntington Woods and reconnected when they were both attending separate colleges in Chicago. After graduation, they returned to Detroit in 2013 and lived together as roommates. Now, Nolish is doing his part by creating “The Danny Reader,” an online anthology of all of Danny’s writings as a journalist in Chicago, Detroit, Telluride and San Diego as well as his international coverage of stories in Thailand and Burma (Myanmar). “Danny is a gifted writer, a talented journalist and a storyteller who’s always had an interest in human rights and social justice,” said Nolish, who is policy director for Detroit Disability Power, a nonprofit that advocates for those with disabilities. “I wanted to compile some of Danny’s writing to showcase that voice and amplify it while we continue to advocate for his immediate and unconditional release.” Bryan said Fenster’s wife, Julianna Fenster, visits the prison daily, but her requests for permission to visit her husband or just to get a status on his well-being have all been denied. “Julianna is also in contact with the U.S. State Department,” Bryan said. “With [Myanmar] being 10 hours ahead, I speak to her first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. We are trying to coordinate our efforts and create certain relationships with all these people who are helping us. We just don’t want Danny to be forgotten or have his status slip from the news or from the front of people’s minds.”
The Masada is one of the places Birthright participants will vist.
Birthright Is Back MSU Hillel needs eight more people for Aug. 1-11 trip. BRIAN GOLDSMITH JN INTERN
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fter a year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Birthright Israel is back. Michigan State Hillel is in need of participants for its Birthright Israel trip on Aug. 1-11. As of press time, only 13 students had signed up to participate in the MSU Birthright Israel trip. MSU Hillel is looking for eight more participants to fill the empty spots for the trip. The MSU Hillel will lead the Birthright Israel trip for college students 18-22 years of age. Twenty-two students will embark on the 10-day exploration of Israel’s holy land. The students will be accompanied by two Hillel staff members, three Israelis (one will be an armed security guard) and a tour guide. The trip will be held with a few precautions due to COVID-19 regulations. All participants must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination by uploading a photo of their vaccination card on the Israel Outdoors application. Next, travelers must be tested for COVID 72 hours before
the flight to Israel. After landing in Israel, travelers will be tested again. All COVID tests must yield a negative result to participate on the Birthright Israel trip. In July, restrictions will be updated further for the trip. Participants must also provide their own means of transportation to John F. Kennedy International Airport and arrive four hours before their flight. According to the World Health Organization, more than 10.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in Israel and 56.7% of the population is fully vaccinated (the highest vaccination rate in the world.) The August Birthright Israel trip will be advised by MSU birthright coordinator Mina Fedderly, a graduate of Bradley University, who traveled to Israel with the University of Minnesota Hillel along with her brother and cousin. If you or anyone you know may be in interested in the trip, visit Israeloutdoors.com/ msu to sign up or contact Mina Fedderly at mina@msuhillel. org. JUNE 10 • 2021
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