BUILDING FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Israel Apprehensions, Video Tape Discussed JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER W hen Henry and Susan Shevitz of West Bloom- field heard about the Oct. 19 bombing of a Tel Aviv bus, their thoughts imme- diately turned to their son Loren, who is spending the year in Is- rael. They were particularly con- cerned because Loren, 21, was supposed to take a bus to Tel Aviv to pick up the graduate school applications they had sent with friends. "We did not know what day he was going," Mr. Shevitz said. "Naturally, we were worried." A phone call from their son eased their minds. The minds of other Detroit. area parents, whose children are in Israel as participants in Pro- ject Otzma, were also put to rest with similar calls. Project Otzma is a 10-month program offering young adults 20-24 the opportunity to learn and volunteer in Israel. Volun- teer work includes activities like working on a kibbutz, tutoring students and performing urban renewal work. By coincidence, exactly one week after the bus bombing, par- ents were invited to watch two video tapes of their children in Is- rael. The tapes were brought Hills, to watch their son's plea on video: "Send my ski magazines and don't forget about the law school applications." "His hair is longer and he looks a little scruffier, but he looks good," Ms. Ephraim said. As for their feelings about •Scott being in Israel right now: "We are concerned, not wor- "He is not in a place that is inherently dangerous." Henry Shevitz ried but concerned," Ms. Ephraim said. "He feels comfortable and he is really enjoying it. We talked to him (tonight) and he is doing great." During that conversation, Scott told his parents about how, during an excursion, they were close enough to the Israel/Jordan treaty signing that they saw the balloons released during the cer- emony. Loren's parents also are not too concerned about their son's safe- ty• "He is not in the West Bank or TODAY, TOMORROW & BEYOND For the home or the office, Quality Construction lives up to its name, time after time. For all your business or residential construction needs, be sure to call us first because great design takes Quality Construction. 1-800-421-4141 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ME 1.0061.3 INDUSTRY Design • Remodeling • Renovation • Barrier Free Before Asking Her To Spend A Lifetime With You... Spend A Few Informative Minutes With Us! Otzma participants, top, Rebecca Cook, Ronit Hoffer, and, bottom, Greg Goldfeder, Adam Goldsmith, Scott Ephraim, Oren Golan, Carrie Newton, Loren Shevitz. back by Renee Himelhock, the as- sistant director of the Michi- gan/Israel Connection, who just returned from Israel. The two tapes played back greetings to families and talk of the Detroiters' first few months on a kibbutz, just outside Ne- tanya. None of the eight Detroi- ters mentioned any of the terrorist attacks. Scott Ephraim's parents, Michael and Barbara Ephraim, were on-hand at the Max M. Fisher Building, in Bloomfield a place that is inherently dan- gerous," said Mr. Shevitz, who watched as his son held up the graduate school applications he picked up in Tel Aviv. Nina Goldsmith of Birming- ham said seeing her son, Adam, on video was very emotional but she was glad to have the oppor- tunity. Like the other parents, she is a little apprehensive. "Terrorists are not looking for me," Adam told his mother in a recent phone conversation. "They are looking for Israelis." ❑ At Tapper's every purchase is backed by 18 years of experience. We consistently provide you with the quality you want and the professional service you deserve. At Tapper's your satis- faction is always guaranteed. 0, 0) CC LU 2 Diamonds and Fine Jewelry I 26400 W. 12 Mile Road • Southfield, MI 48034 • (810) 357-5578 10