72 April 2, 1976 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Bnai Mitzva at Western Wall Three Detroiters Attain Religious Identification By GREER CASHMAN Special to The Jewish News There is nothing unusual these days about American families selecting Jerusalem as the site for 'a Bar Mitzva celebration, but it is un- usual when the celebration of a Bar Mitzva becomes a spontaneous decision on the part of three men partici- pattng in a United, Jewish Appeal Study Mission. Dr. Wilton H. Goidrath, Dr. Jack Jackson and Steven Tronstein missed out on the traditional Bar Mitzva cele- bration when they were 13 years old. They made up for lost time in Jerusalem in March, while participating in the Detroit Campaign Mission to Israel. . Not one of them had boarded the El Al plane to Israel thinking that he would be a different man on his return. Tronstein, a sev- enth generation American, whose great-grandfather was the only Jewish officer in the Union Cavalry, could not recall any Bar Mitzva ce- lebrations in His family. Dr. Goidrath confessed that a Bar Mitzva "was always something that I secretly missed." The happiest people about the decision of the three men were mission leaders Dr. Murray and Diane Shekter. The Shek- ters, who are frequent vis- itors to Israel, wanted the Detroiters in their charge to see and enjoy Israel in the same light as they have done over the years. While they were anxious for mission participants to understand the problems which Israel is facing, • they were equally keen for them to explore the Israeli life- style in order to get a better feel for the country. The Mission got off to a good start from the very beginning. Jane Weiner, whose heart condition had caused her to doubt that she would ever see Israel, had made the trip after under- going open heart surgery. After landing in Israel, she literally danced in the street. A woman driving past in a car stopped to ask her why she was dancing. She replied, "It's because I'm so happy to be here." "We're happy to have you," said the driver with a smile before she continued on her way. The Shekters took their group from the airport to Tel Aviv's colorful Carmel Market, where everybody bought food and went on to picnic at Megiddo. Before reaching Jerusa- lem, the group explored the ancient prison in Acco, the religious sites and the art- ists' quarter in Safed and the strategic military posi- tions in the Golan Heights. In the Golan, they met Vardi Ben-Yaacov, hand- some, dark-eyed, unmarried officer, obviously aware of his good looks. When ques- tioned as to why he was sta- tioned in the Golan, Vardi joked that he was "ap- pointed by the Ministry of Casting." , The group also visited Ki- butz Lavie, a religious ki- butz which specialized in making furniture for local consumption and for export. They saw how the kibutz members live and how their industry operates. They found the people on 'the kibutz to be charming and were reluctant to leave. Study missions such as the one led by the Shekters also include inspections of the humanitarian programs at the entrance to the city at nightfall. Leaving the bus, they recited the Site'lie- •hiyanu blessing, and like the pilgrims of old, walked into the city. Few visitors to Jerusalem get to see the Western Wall at night, but there is a mys- tic appeal about the Wall, standing in floodlight splen- dor against the dark back- drop of the sky, and the Shekters were determined that their people were not going to miss this awe-in- spiring sight. Jack and Julie Jackson, at left, and Jane and Sey- mour Weiner walk through a Middle Eastern market during their Campaign Mission to Israel. financed by the United Jew- ish Appeal through its bene- ficiaries such as the Joint Distribution Committee and Malben, which help people from infancy throughout life. The Shekters, who have a special love for Jerusalem, arranged for their group to spend more time in and ar- ound Israel's capital than anywhere else. They arrived Members of Detroit's Campaign Mission are shown before take-off on their El Al flight to Israel to examine that country's problems and strengths. They gave everyone just enough time to eat at the hotel, and then took them to the Wall. It was the first of three visits. On the second occa- sion, they went in day- light. The men put on tefi- lin to mark the occasion. Some had never done so before. Murray talked about the significance of the Wall and of Jersulam in Jewish life, and it was then that the three Bar Mitzva celebrants made their decision. By this time, everyone in the group had begun to feel like family, and each and ev- ery single member of the mission began to take an ac- tive interest in the Bar Mitzva. Trees were planted in honor of the Bar Mitzva "boys". The traditional fountain pens were pur- chased. A talit was presented to each of the three, and on the Sabbath of. the Bar Mitzva, which naturally took place at the Wall, the women pelted the three celebrants with nuts and candy. In the evening, they held a ban- quet, with all the pomp and ceremony of an American- style Bar Mitzva. But the Bar Mitzva was not the only aspect of the Mission which made it dif- ferent. The Shekters wanted their group to get out into the streets of Israel, into the restaurants which are fre- quented by IsraeliS, into the shops which do not specifi- cally cater to tourists and into the back alleys and courtyards of the Orthodox Mea Shearim district, which is to Jerusalem what Wil- liamsburg is to New York. In Mea Shearim they met a kabalistic mystic who amazed members of the group by what he could tell them about them s elves with the help of kabaliitic 'divination. In Jerusalem's busy King George St., Murray Shekter entered a small restaurant and asked for tables to be set up for 20 people. When the group returned for their meal in festive mood, there were vases of flowers decorating the ta- bles. When Shekter asked the proprietress of the res- taurant where the flowers had come from, she replied: "I bought them. I was so happy to see your happi- ness, that I wanted a share in it." The happiness of all Mis- sion participants was re- flected in a recommitment to Israel. All of them had made their pledges to the Allied Jewish Campaign-Is- rael Emergency Fund be- fore leaving Detroit. In ev- ery instance, these pledges had shown an increase over gifts made the previous year. When the group sat down to talk about their feelings in Israel, the contri- butions went up another 25 percent. This was the second , oc- casion on which the S' ters led a group to Is. The first time was labs October. "We're amazed," said Diane, "at how the people from that mission have become Campaign workers." She conceded that per- , haps the love which she and Murray have for Israel is contagious. "If people love Israel, they can't help but to do everything they can for Israel through the UJA and the Allied Jewish Cam- paign-Israel Emergency Fund." Dr. Goldrath is chairman of the Professional Divison of the 1976 Allied Jewish Campaign-Israel Emer- gency Fund. Dr. Shekter leads the Dentists Section of that Divison. Also on the Detroit Cam- paign Mission were Mrs. Goidrath, Mr. and Mrs. Jer- ome Halperin, Mrs. Jack- son, Irwin Kahn, Dr. and Mrs. James E. Labes, Mrs. Kristine Magidsohn, Dr. and Mrs. Jerry B. Morof, Dr. and Mrs. Saul Rosner, Dr. Seymour S. Weiner and Robert C. Zack. Margo and Jerry Halperin met this new friend in the Holy Land while on a Detroit Campaign Mission. A Personal Invitation Mayor Kollek Invites Bnai Mitzva to Holy City JERUSALEM — Mayor Western Wall, in Jerusa- Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem lem, the Holy City towards has issued a personal invita- tion to all Bnai Mitzva to take advantage of the Israel Ministry of Tourism's Bar Mitzva programs. Combined with the serv- ice and warmth of El Al Is- rael Airlines ; Mayor Kollek stated that a trip to Israel for Bar Mitzva can be one of the most important events in a young man's life. "A boy's Bar Mitzva day is a stepping stone in his life," Mayor Kollek writes, "one of the days which will al- ways remain in his thoughts and feelings. To celebrate one's Bar Mitzva at the MAYOR KOLLEK which Jews throughout the world pray three times daily, makes the occasion even more meaningful. "As King Solomon said when he built the Temple: `That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.' "The historical signifi- cance of Jerusalem, the beauty of the city and its ancient monuments, help make a special day that much more special, for the Bar Mitzva boy, his family and friends, a day never to be forgotten. "It is my honor and plea- sure, in the name of the City of Jerusalem and my fellow Jerusalemites, to invite you to celebrate here and to wish you a warm Mazel Tov." The Ministry of Tourism has established a special Bar Mitzva program which is available to the young man and his family in Is- rael. The program includes: • The Bar Mitzva service at the Western Wall or syn- agogue in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. • A kidush and/or lunch- eon reception at a hotel or banquet hall in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. • The presentation of a special Bar Mitzva medal- lion, a silk talit and a certif- icate on behalf of the presi- dent of the state of Israel. • The planting of a tree in the name of the Bar Mitzva boy at the Bnai Mitzva Forest. • A visit to the home of an Israeli family with a son of Bar Mitzva age. • Travel arrangements via El Al Israel Airlines at the lowest applicable group airfares. • The selection of and reservations in the f hotels throughout Israel. • Fully escorted, custom- tailored sightseeing tours throughout biblical and modern Israel by private air conditioned car or motor- coach with chauffeur/guide. • The services of El Al and the Ministry of Tourism from the minute .you land at Ben-Gurion Airport until you depart from Israel. Persons wishing more in- formation on the program can contact El Al's South- field office, 557-5737, or write Youth and Students Division, Ministry of Tour- ism, PO Box 1018, Jerusa- lem 91000, Israel.