o Os.3 HACK SHOES L are designed for FIT & COMFORT! In a wide range of sizes. LEGION is available in Camel, Black, Blue, Dark Brown, & Black Patent Jerusalem Hotline Aids Israelis In Distress RICK RAEL Special to the Detroit Jewish News erusalem—If someone were to ask what the average Israeli worries about most, many would be surprised to hear that per- sonal relationships are at the top of the list. "In fact," says Etty Kenny, head of the Tel Aviv branch of ERAN (Ezra Rishona Nafshit, or Emo- tional First Aid), "when we compared statistics with a similar organization in Switzerland, which is certain- ly one of the more peaceful countries in the world, we found that people there tend- ed to call with almost the same problems." "An overwhelming sense of loneliness. That's the primary reason why people in Israel decide to use our services," says Moshe Kron, director of Jerusalem's ERAN telephone hotline. "This loneliness can be expressed in various ways and -is not confined only to socially isolated types. A wife who is unable to com- municate openly with her husband may ask for help; a teenage boy unhappy with his relationship with his parents, or perhaps a young office worker who just needs to unload about a boss. The common denominator is a dif- ficulty in reaching those near to them." Founded in 1971 when the first branch was established in the capital, ERAN now has six additional centers throughout the country, in- cluding a recently opened of- fice in the rural northern Galil. In a typical month, ERAN will receive between 3,000 and 4,000 telephone calls that Kron identifies as "calls of distress." "If I had to note one signifi- cant change over the last decade," says Kron, "I'd say that Israeli callers have been getting younger and younger. Although their problems tend to reflect the universal dif- ficulties of youth—getting along with parents and teachers, establishing peer friendships—young people seem more influenced by the issues of today. I think Israeli society is going through its own growing pains. Socially and politically its trying to find its own identity and that leaves young people more vulnerable. They desperately look for direction from society". In direct response to the in- creasing volume of calls from young people, ERAN's gel Aviv branch has introduced a j special hotline exclusively for juveniles. "We hear from 17 and 18 year-olds who are about to enter the army and are secretly a bit scared about leaving home and having to adjust to army life, and there are those with problems related to pressure to achieve in school. Passing graduate examinations, or bagrut, is crucial for many young Israelis and we often receive calls from youth who express their fear of failure," explains a volunteer in the 'Ibl Aviv office. How do Israeli adults cope with the numerous stresses and strains of a society beset with a host of formidable problems? What prompts the individual to dial ERAN? Kron believes that comtem- porary events can often motivate citizens to pick up the phone. This, however, is often a pretext for a discus- • sion of more personal concerns. "Volunteers find that a news headline, the Pollard af- fair, for example, will increase the number of incoming calls. People at first only want to talk about international rela- tions, but gradually the con- versation shifts to more im- mediate problems. Then we discover what's really troubl- ing them." The Demjanjuk trial in Jerusalem has resulted in many calls to ERAN from Holocaust survivors, who, now elderly and mostly alone, are, as a result of the trial, once again reliving their hor- rifying experiences. They need to talk and to verbalize their painful recollections, despite the passage of 45 years. Frequently ERAN has to confront the emotional burdens of the offspring of people who lived through the Holocaust. These children are oft6n from homes where parents never discussed their experiences. "Sexual problems generate a great deal of calls," says Kron, "especially from the ultra-religious communities where there is little access to basic facts about sex." Confu- sion on sexual issues is not limited to one segment of society, however, and callers express their fears or ask questions on a wide range of topics, including AIDS. bur- in the last several months, calls to ERAN about AIDS have increased greatly. Israelis now recognize the serious nature of the problem and want to know more about it. For those who fear they may have contracted AIDS, we refer them directly to local ULTRA SILKS For Any Occasion DISCOUNT PRICES Ask about our "LUCKY LOTTO" Plant CUSTOM DESIGNS FOR HOME & OFFICE VM FCC *74 HackShoes --g Send a UNIQUE GIFT . . . LIFE LIKE SILK PLANTS 26221 SOUTHFIELD RD. Between 10 & 11 Mile Roads Call Barbara 851-7822 for orders of Studio Appt. MATTEO 557-4230 0f, SAT 10.5 HOURS: nM-F 10-6 Over THE r VALUABLE COUPON CIGAR LOVERS DAY OCT. 9 TAILOR Alterotions'for Men & Women CUSTOM MADE SUITS . 27047 Southfield Rd. Lathrup Village Mon.-Wed. & Fri. 9:30-6 Just N. of 11 Mile Rd. lhurs. 9:30-7, Sot. 9:30-5 569.2339 CHARLES DOOR CO., INC. We Specialize in Door Replacement • Custom Doors • Exterior & Interior Wood Doors • Steel Replacements • Storm Doors • Garage Doors CUESTA-REY # 1884 1VPORTED HADVADE ALL TOBACCO LO\G FILLER CIGAR 21650 W. 11 Mile, Sfld. 350-DOOR or 535-3160 SALE All Interior Doors Insurance Work Welcome 20% OFF — Specializing In Grand Entrances — Since 1942 Double your closet usage Fully Adjustable - Changeable - Removable Reg. $ 1 25 EACH SPECIAL! ''=gmat IMMO irillert73%! F-1 y $295 SALES TAX INCLUDED PLUS $100 OFF INSTANT REFUND WITH THIS (LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER) I VALUABLE COUPON Ilumidor One A Smoke Shop and MUCH Morel 20000 W. 10 Mile at Evergreen I I 356-4600 and 356-4725 Mastercard, VISA & American Express 41'; nt's • Free consultation and design • Closet/Special storage systems • Custom garage systems • Custom built in our factory • Neatly, quickly installed • Furniture-grade wood products CLOS 7 4e/te a a clidiergesze . .. • Steel chrome rods • Steel hardware • Custom sized drawers • Cabinet doors • Residential & commercial • Fully insured IIIII awe we Guild et/ Call for a free-at-home consultation or visit our showroom. 24407 Halsted Rd. FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48018 313/473-0700 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS M2=11 53