comfort knowing that the state exists."
' Joey recalls that "Israel always was
a strong focus in our home, both in
terms of education and regular visits.
My grandmother moved to Israel, and
our family had aspirations for living
there, as well."
He made his first trip when he

•

Israel of Oak Park, and they've regu-
larly participated in the community's
Walk for Israel.
"In New York, when I was little, the
Israel Day parade was very festive,"
Joey says. "That, and the Soviet Jewry
program, were the iwo events that
everyone attended. "
The family also visits
Israel whenever possi-
ble. Sandra and Joey
were among a select
group that participated
in the Klal Yisrael Mis-
sion, which comprised
Orthodox, Conservative
and Reform Jews. The
trip began in Prague
and ended in Jerusalem.
It was a tremendously
successful trip," Joey
says. "Zionism is the
common ground that
binds us all."

student at West Bloomfield High
School, and Emily, 13, who attends
Hillel Day School of Metropolitan
Detroit in Farmington Hills.
Laurie became interested in Zionism
largely thanks to her cousins, who
introduced her to B'nai Akiva, the
Orthodox-Zionist youth organization.
Laurie was active in B'nai Akiva
throughout her childhood and teen
years. She made her first trip to Israel
when she was in 1 1 th grade, travel-
ing with her family. Certain moments
of the visit are especially clear — the
Kotel, going into the Dead Sea —
but most important, Laurie says, was
simply the indescribable feeling she
had in just being there.
Robert was raised in a longtime
Zionist home; his grandmother and
mother both were active in Na'amat,
formerly called Pioneer Women.
When Laurie and Robert wed, there
was no question that Zionism would
be a part of their lives.
Last year, when Emily became bat
The Kimmels of
mitzvah,
the Kimmels traveled with
West Bloomfield
friends to Israel. Emily held her bat-
When Laurie met
Robert, it was nice a t . mitzvah ceremony at Masada.
"We'd always wanted to take her,"
first sight.
Laurie
says.
She was a college
The Kimmels recently took daughter Emily to Israel
She could see her daughter felt at
for her bat mitzvah ceremony
student in Ohio. He was
ease
in Israel, right at home.
a college student in
"She was comfortable," Laurie
Michigan.
was 7 years old. "I remember
says.
"She felt safe."
The two attended a weekend pro-
three things," he says. "It was hot,
Son Josh Kimmel "fell in love with
! gram sponsored by Hillel: The Foun-
the language was funny, and it
Israel" during his visit. Josh, who plans
1 dation for Campus .Jewish Life. When
was Jewish."
to
become a rabbi, had for years
Laurie saw Robert Kimmel, she says
The parents' commitment is contin-
been learning about the country and
she knew right away that he was
ued by the Greenbergs.
often
spoke of it. "But having the
extraordinary.
Married 1 11/2 years, their four chil-
chance to see it with his own eyes —
"He was the nicest person I'd ever
dren — Yoni, 9; Donny, 7; Maya, 6;
it's a completely different experience,"
met," she says.
and Yakir, 4 — all attend Sandra's
Laurie says.
At first, Laurie and Robert wrote
alma mater, Yeshivat Akiva in South-
After completing high school, Josh
friendly letters. Then they began long-
field.
wants to return to Israel to study.
! distance dating. In 1979, Laurie
"One of the primary reasons that
While Israel is an important part of
moved to Michigan — "the day after
we chose Akiva is because it% the
her life, Laurie admits it difficult to
I graduated college" — and three
only Zionist Orthodox alternative in
find
words to define precisely what's
years later they were married.
the ciiy," Joey explains.
in
her
heart.
Today, Robert has his own business
Additionally, Joey and Sandra have
"It's our refuge," she says, "a place
and Laurie is a clinical social worker.
helped coordinate a number of Israel
where all Jews can be safe. It's our
They are the parents of Joshua, 17, a
activities at their - congregation, Young
homeland." ❑

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