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see the plum we have
and come to think,
like me, that it's a very
special place."
Rabbi Roman says
American debate over
the Jewish pluralism
issue in Israel should-
n't overshadow this
historic partnering of
kids. He sees it help-
ing all of them "find
their Jewish identity
and learn how to
express their Jewish-
ness.''
Giving Israelis who
didn't grow up Ortho-
dox an indigenous
alternative form of
Judaism would require
a lot of understand-
ing. But if it did hap-
pen, Roman says, "it
would be a positive
outgrowth of this,
Israeli teens Iva Mendenis and Adi Meirovich stayed with the family of Temple Kol Ami teen
Israel's 50th anniver-
Stephanie Fidler.
sary year."
Through Adam
Shalom Synagogue,
In addition to observing Shabbat,
tunity to spend time together — and
the family of Rachel Turbow hosted
the Israelis visited Detroit's Museum
enrich their experience."
Liron Azoulay, 15, of Nazareth Illit,
of African-American History, the
"It's a way to get our kids invested
and Bat-El Jabay, 15, of Migdal
Detroit Historical Museum, Green-
in their community and their kids
HaEmek.
field Village, Twelve Oaks Mall and
invested in our community, helping to
Azoulay attends Shabbat services
Camp Tamarack.
assure Jewish continuity in both,"
every three weeks or so. "Everywhere
Titanic served as an ice breaker the
Levin added.
you go," she said, "there is a Jewish
first day of the mifgash, since many of
Teen Mission II will get off to a
story. There's always a circle to your
the kids had seen the Academy Award- quick start because the kids will
life that reminds you you're in a Jew-
winning movie. "They really bonded
already know each other. "It'll be
ish country"
over the movie and its star, Leonardo
much more like family," said Federa-
She's not in favor of giving up land
DiCaprio," said Teen Mission II coor-
tion Executive Vice President Bob
for peace. "This is the only country
dinator Susan Levin of the
Aronson. "It won't be like a bunch of
we've got. The Palestinians have
Michigan/Israel Connection.
Americans parachuting into Israel for
Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria. If we
The visit marked the third to
the summer."
give away our land, we'll lose our
Detroit for David Bitan, who headed
The mission has attracted teens
country."
the staff accompanying the Israeli
from Reform and Conservative
Turbow, 16, noticed only minor
teens. The Migdal HaEmek resident
synagogues throughout lower Michi-
differences in dress, humor and
says he's a Traditional (Conservative)
gan.
demeanor when comparing the Israelis Jew. "I've become more Jewish because
Teen missions are invaluable, Levin
to metro Detroit teens. "Kids are kids,
of my visits here and I'm sure it's
says, because studies show going to
no matter where they are."
going to happen to these kids — their
Israel during the formative years of
The biggest difference she saw?
Jewish identity will be stronger once
religious identity "plays a major role in
"They're not used to rushing so much.
they return to Israel."
shaping the lives of our kids Jewishly
They sit back and take things easier."
In Israel, Jews often take their reli-
— in youth group, in college, in
Turbow's looking forward to her
gion for granted. "But when you're
whom they marry and in raising chil-
second trip to Israel — where "you
exposed to Jews here in Detroit, and
dren."
feel closer to your faith, to your ances-
see being religious doesn't have to be
For that reason, I'd rank travel to
tors and to everything you've been
so strict, it's easier to practice your
Israel alongside bar/bat mitzvah and
taught in Hebrew school."
faith back home," Bitan said.
confirmation as an important lifecycle
Car bombings grab headlines in
Tim Cohen, who co-chaired the
event during the highly impression-
Jerusalem but the Central Galilee is
mifgash with fellow parent Trudy
able teen years. LI
safe, Azoulay says. "I'm not afraid to
Weiss, says this kind of teen exchange
go out and my parents aren't con-
can build relationships that last forev-
To leave a message for Robert
cerned. The Arabs we live among are
er. "Whatever takes our kids to Israel,
Sklar, please dial (248) 354-6060,
very nice and I respect them as
or whatever brings the Israeli kids
ext. 258,
friends."
here," he said, "they'll have the oppor-
"