Family Time

Elizabeth Applebaum

AppleTree Editor

The Studenbergs of
West Bloomfield

Almost 30 years have
passed since Allan Studen-
t berg made his first trip to
Israel. But he still remembers
why he went, and how he
felt being there. It was, he
says, important.
The state's very exis- ±̀ 4
tence. The knowledge 2
that Jews have a place
where they will always -2
be safe, always be wel-
come. This was no
longer something he sim-
ply heard or talked
about. Now he knew.
Oh — he hasn't for-
gotten the chicken
coops, either.
He traveled with
friends, in those long-

ecilcing
rom The Hea
rt

The Studenbergs eagerly anticipate son Scott's upcoming trip to Israel.

Three local families tell what 7ionism,
and the State of Israel, means to them.

ago days when everybody thought
I you could do almost anything if all
you had were a few dollars and a
sturdy backpack. Allan says he
"talked my way" onto a kibbutz,
where he worked a volunteer.
"We were in the chicken coops;
we rotated irrigation lines; we pruned
avocado trees," he says. It was a
tough life, but fortunately we weren't
there for long."
Now Allan, an attorney, and his
wife, Sharon, a registered nurse who
works with the Bloomfield Hills
Schools, have a son, Scott, 17,
preparing for a trip to Israel. He will
leave on June 22 as part of Detroit's
third Teen Mission to Israel.
"We got the recommended duffle
[bag with the expandable sides, and

5/19
2000

104

"We want him to get
we are making list after list of things
As Zionists, the Greenbergs carry on a family
a
feel
for
the
country
and
tradition.
needed for the trip," Sharon says.
understand how impor-
"We just had a meeting at Temple
tant
it is," Allan says. "We want him
Israel with Rabbi Josh [Bennett], who
The Greenbergs of Oak Park
to know its significant history. Of
gave us packing tips. But we'll proba-
It was blind luck that brought Sandra
course, he studied it in school, but it's
bly still be packing the night before."
and Joseph Greenberg together.
one thing to read about something,
Allan and Sharon, both Detroit
He was a native of New York; she
another to experience it. And this is
natives, met 20 years ago on a rac-
was born and raised in Detroit. A
even more important because it's
quetball court. They married two
mutual friend thought they might be
Israel. It's hard to even put it in
years later at Temple Israel. In addi-
perfect together and set them up on a
words."
tion to Scott, they are the parents of
blind date.
Allan also looks forward to his son
15-year-old Lauren, and Danielle, 7.
Both Sandra and Joey were brought
having the opportunity to see Judaism
Scott has definite plans about what
up
in Orthodox homes and had fami-
lived in Israel, not just experienced as
he wants to do in Israel, the Studen-
lies deeply devoted to the State of
services or holidays, but as part of the
bergs say. He's very interested in
Israel and Zionism.
ordinary — but extraordinary this is,
scuba diving. He can't wait to see the
"My parents have always had a
after all, a country only decades old)
Dead Sea. And visiting the Kotel
great love for Israel," said Sandra,
— fabric of day-to-day existence.
(Western Wall) is a must.
who
made her first visit to Israel in
"I want him to see that Judaism is
The Studenbergs are confident he
1972. "I think for my father, a Holo-
! more than a religion," Allan says. "It's
will return from the trip with much
caust
survivor, it also provides great
a way of life."
more than souvenirs.