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DEA FARRAH MSW, ACSW, CSW CALL 647-5540 • Weight Control • Individual Counseling • Eating Disorder Specialty HEALTHY OPTIONS, INC, BIRMINGHAM Feeling Depressed? Family Problems? No One To Talk To? 855-5444 Call for AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT • Adults • Adolescents • Children PROGRESSIVE COUNSELING Where Your Progress Is Our #1 Priority Fine Catering Flowers, Decor Table Settings Complete Planning Jerusalem Experience Turns Teens On To Israel MARNI AARONSON ERICA WATNICK Special to The Jewish News H ear 0 Israel, Hashem is our God ; Hashem the One and Only." This prayer signifies the essence of Judaism. Until our group participated in "The Jerusalem Experience," we had no understanding of this prayer. After spending eight days in Israel, however, it became more meaningful. Twenty specially selected teens from Detroit par- ticipated in the Jerusalem Experience, sponsored by the Central East Region of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth and led by Rabbi Mark Cohn, regional director. The Orthodox men and women we had come across since leaving the United States symbolized the total Jewish existence we would be living for the next eight days. A tour through King David's Tomb and a small Holocaust exhibit yielded many pictures, but mostly a better understanding and an unforgettable impression. We spent time learning about the Six-Day War. We ac- tually walked through tren- ches and climbed on tanks used during the war. It was hard to believe that a war took place in this renovated children's park, perhaps under our very feet. Later that night, the group gathered for songs and stories in a bomb shelter. Three soldiers joined in and told of their experiences in various divisions of the army. The next days, proving to be very emotional, included a visit to Yad Vashem, par- ticularly the Children's Memorial. Soothing music greeted us with voices of men and women reciting names of the deceased. About 1.5 million flames surrounded us, all reflecting from the light of one single candle. This was our first moment to think, as we walked in requested silence, and those of us who weren't crying were deep in thought. The reality of the whole ordeal hit hard, and we were given a chance to say a prayer, in which most of us Marni Aaronson and Erica Watnick are members of the Central East Region of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth. 92 FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989 Scaling Masada are, from left: Marcy Levine, Allysia Maltzman, Aaron Goch, adviser David Winter, Brian Feldman, Mike Zerkel and Stacy Bloch. took part, for those children in a special room. We later met with a group of teenage schoolgirls and found that their lives differed little from ours, and that we all had a lot in common. Our day ended after a scribe demonstrated the art of mez- zuzah making. Shabbat was the most in- spiring day of our trip. We spent Friday shopping for various cakes, candies, fruits and nuts. The streets became flooded with people rushing to buy last minute items before sundown. After sunset, the streets were mellow and peaceful. The next morning, as we ap- proached the Western Wall, a daily morning ritual for us, smiling faces wished us Shab- bat Shalom. That afternoon, we experienced a midday Shabbat meal with various host families where we were given a true taste of Jewish culture. As Shabbat faded, the city streets once again became crowded by night life. We joined the festivities, eating falafel and socializing with the Israelis. When we went to Masada, we learned of the palace that once existed there and walk- ed through its ruins. We discussed how the Jews lived and died for their religion [there] and now: we would do the same. Our next stop was Ein Gedi. Some played in the water, the others soaked up the scor- ching rays. The Dead Sea, the last experience of the day, was definitely a highlight. The teens performed the ritual of caking on mud, floating in the salty water and shower- ing the remains from burning skin. On the morning of the last day, bar and bat mitzvah ser- vices for Joel Glass and Mar- cy Levin, respectively were held at the Western Wall. This brightened our other- wise gloomy spirits, as none of us were ready to leave. After eating, we returned to the Wall for a tour of its hid- den underlayer. The group was the first of its age to enter the Knesset. Heavy security greeted the group as it walked toward the Parliament Building. Harry Horowitz talked to the group and answered questions. A special banquet at a Kosher Chinese restaurant preceded the long flight home. Leaving the beautiful Holy Land brought tears, but the teens did not say goodbye. Israel is a home away from home. The teens would all be back. ❑ Summer Travel Sessions Set Nacel Cultural Exchanges is accepting applications for programs in France, Ger- many, Spain and the Ivory Coast. Students must be age 13-18, and have completed two years of language study. First ses- sion for France, Spain and Germany will depart July 3 and returns July 31. Ivory Coast departure is June 7 and returns July 1. Second ses- sion runs July 24 through August 21. A three-week summer pro- gram in Paris for beginning French students, who have completed grades seven, eight or nine, is also available. For information, call Evelyn Prince, 626-6641.