bargain with merchants. "You never
take the first offer," he said.
Sadoff is looking forward to rap-
pelling, camel riding, visiting the
Western Wall and hiking up to
Masada to watch the sun set.
In April, the teens embarked on the
first leg of their educational tour dur-
J ing a week-long mifgash (get-acquaint-
ed encounter) in Michigan with 47
teens from Central Galilee; 32 will
reunite with them in Israel.
"We wanted to create relationships
before they got to Israel," explained
Levin. "Part of the Israel experience is
not just to show them the land, but to
show them the dynamics of the peo-
ple. It's important to show the living
Israel, the real people."
So with a spirit of camaraderie, the
Detroit teens became acquainted with
their Israeli counterparts while sharing
meals, Shabbat programs, home hospi-
tality, museum tours, an evening of
bowling and a Pistons game.
"It gives them a whole different
perspective on Jewish identity," said
Nevins. "For American kids, Judaism
is a religion and not so much a people.
For Israelis, it's the opposite. They can
learn on both sides."
Brian Sturman, 17, booked the trip
to experience the places he's only seen
in pictures. He's also looking forward
to spending more time with his rabbi.
The Temple Israel congregant, who is
anxious to ride the camels, found that
conversations with the Israeli teens
provided insight for his upcoming
trip. "They said that Masada is not
that bad a hike as everyone says it is.
And they talked to us about shopping,
restaurants and how Americanized it
is. There's even a Hard Rock Cafe in
Jerusalem."
Yael Waxman, community shaliach
and director of the Michigan/Israel
Connection, insists that the Israeli
experience decreases assimilation and
strengthens Jewish continuity at home
and abroad.
"We believe that the relationship
between Israel and the Diaspora for
many years was Israel asking for
money. But that has now changed to a
partnership," said Waxman, an Israeli
native. 'American Jewry needs Israel.
If ever again something happens to the
Jews in the world, Israel is their home.
"Losing this community would be
like losing part of the family. It's a
two-way partnership based on love,
friendship and contributions. If we
have only 12 million Jews today in the
world, we can't afford the luxury of
losing any one Jew." E]
IF YOU THINK TALKING TO YOUR
MOM ABOUT DEATH IS HARD NOW,
TRY DOING 11 LATER.
les a conversation no one wants to have.
And no one should postpone. We can make it
easier with information on hospice and home
care, pain management, wills and trusts, call us.
Every person's life deserves a good ending.
Michigan Circle of Life Information Center
Call toll free
1-877-224-2727
DEIMOIT
=WI= NEWS
Get Results... Advertise in our new Entertainment Section!
Can The Sales Department (248) 3544123 Eq. 209
5/1
1998
161