KIDS'
ART

These cartoons were
done at a local
Hebrew school for
Israel Independence
Day.

healthy:' said Dr. Weiss.
"And if they identify with the
Palestinians as the victim, it means
they don't recognize the other side's
position. Such an image of Israel as
the mean aggressor lacks a compas-
sion or feeling for Israel. So either
way it isn't good."
Difficult as it is to interpret the
childrens' perceptions of violence on
the West Bank and Gaza, Dr. Weiss of-
fers the following analysis:
"Developmentally, these kids are
beginning to feel pre-adolescent stir-
rings. They may feel bigger and
stronger and begin to rebel against
their parents, They feel they're big
children now. Their reactions may
come out of this rebelliousness and
antagonism toward their parents —
all of which are power and control
issues. But at least there's a compas-
sion there. They do show feelings,
deep feelings:'
It is possible, Dr. Weiss said, that
children see the soldiers as adult
figures and might therefore be iden-
tifying with the Palestinian teens.
If something is going to be done

to counteract these negative images
of Israel, parents, psychiatrists, rab-
bis and even children agree it must
happen in the religious schools.
"We should talk about it in Sun-
day school so kids understand what's
going on," said Ryan. "But we never
talk about it in Sunday school:'
"I'll have to do some work as a
parent, but I'm also disappointed that
it wasn't discussed in school," said
Wendy Fields, who recommends
holding an open forum for parents,
children and educators to discuss cur-
rent events. "I think Sunday school is
missing the boat."
"It's not easy for parents to ex-
plain all this," Dr. Weiss said. "But
you can't counteract these powerful
images with a pamphlet or a lecture.
It's got to be done with group discus-
sions with a lot of give-and-take."
Dr. Weiss suggested a sort of
group therapy. "When something
traumatic happens, accidents,
suicides, the best way to approach it
is in an organized group led by those
who understand the sensibilities of

children and are sympathetic to their
feelings of compassion and injustice.
It must involve a real emotional ex-
change!'
While Dr. Weiss does not believe
the next generation is lost, he said it
is crucial to respond to children's new
perceptions of Israel.
Having only now been informed
that the problem exists, Detroit
religious school leaders are vowing to
combat the powerful media images in
their curriculum next fall.
"It's already the end of the year,"
said Joseph Poisson, educational
director of Temple Israel. "But we will
get together with faculty and super-
visors and think of measures to undo
the harm of the media psychological-
ly and emotionally?'
While religious school leaders say
they are willing to accept the respon-
sibility to counter the mass media im-
ages the children have, they are not
ready to do all the work.
"It's the responsiblity of the
parents as well;' said Ofra Fisher, ex-
ecutive director of the United Hebrew
Schools. "When children watch TV,

parents have the responsibility to talk
to them, especially when they see it's
so awful. Parents should explain on
the level of the children that the
Israeli soldier is not Rambo. He is a
child who happened to be born in
Israel and has to protect Israel?'

Fisher vows that the UHS will
teach more about Israel in the corn-
ing year. To insure this, one instruc-
tor will go to Israel this summer for
a special course on how to teach Israel
on all levels.
"There should be some kind of
task force sent out to let teachers
know about these pictures:' suggested
Rabbi Lopin, who is least alarmed by
the young peoples' reactions.
"But the effect of all this will on-
ly be a positive one," he added. "(The
children) will see that the Israelis
were defending themselves and the
right steps were taken. This violent
perception is not a true portrayal. It
will have no permanent effect. It's go-
ing to end up the right way. I look at
it and I'm upset, but God's direction
will solve this."

❑

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

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