Teen Mission 2000

Meetin

meChallenge

Clockwise:

Adam Borson, 18, of Temple Israel-takes a break
in the amphitheater at Zippori National Park.

Temple Israel teens climb rocks at
Zippori National Park:
Brandon Schneider, 17, Erin Schechter, 15,
Zack Finsteeh 16, Jonathan Ran, 16,
and Rabbi Marla Hornsten.

Mission goers ride camels in the Negev at Mamshit.

Teens in Lake Kinneret at Lavnoon Beach:
left bottom, Dan Peterman, 17, of Temple Shir Shalom;
left top, Leah Weitz, 16 of Traverse City;
right bottom, Aaron Freunch 14, of Temple Shir Shalom;
right top, Michelle Rosen, 16 of Temple Shir Shalom.

Rabbi Michael Moskowitz of Temple Shir Shalom
and Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg of Congregation Shir Tikvah
ride a camel in the Negev at Mamshit.

Experiencing the Holy Land
is worth the physical and
emotional confrontations.

We stood among the stones of the Temple
Mount, which fell to the Romans. Rabbi Step
Weiss of Congregation Shaarey Z,edek comme
ed, "It is a good feeling knowing that long aft
the Romans are gone, we survived; we are still
here."
This trip not only provides emotional chal-
Jerusalem
lenges, but physical ones. Standing at the foot
hallenges are a major part of any jour-
Masada at 4 a.m. and viewing the climb ahea
ney, but they usually bring fulfillment
can be somewhat intimidating. It often is har
and rewards.
-
While the almost 300 of us com-
push ahead along the Snake Path‘ However, o
plain about having to hike in extreme summer
one reaches the top, to the sound of cheering
congratulations, there is a feeling of
heat (113 F) and being forced to live
pride for oneself and all of the others
without air conditioning fora few
who succeeded.
hours, it is hard to imagine our ances-
Keep in mind that we are in the m
tors wandering through the desert for
dle of the desert where temperatures
40 years.
ularly exceed 100 F, so what better
While Jews have been tested time
reward than getting to spend the after
and again, their constant struggle led to
our land, Israel, of which we have the
noon floating in the Dead Sea.
"Once I was in the Dead Sea, I r
privilege of becoming a part.
felt like I was in Israel," said Alana
Jerusalem is the foundation of all
JENNIFER
that Israel stands for: past, present and
Canvasser, 14, of West Bloomfield.
SCHANES
It is not an everyday experience
future. Starting our trip in Jerusalem
Special to the
drop a note into a crack at the Kotel o
made us realize the true holiness of
Jewish News
to cover oneself in the mud of the D
Israel. To many people, the Kotel
Sea. It's hard to believe that we have t
(Western Wall) is merely a spiritual
opportunity to be in such a beautiful place tha
vision that they dream of visiting one day.
However, we were able to spend numerous days
has such significance in our religious backgrou
here; we congregated outside Robinson's Arch
and personal beliefs.
along the southern edge for a beautiful service.
Just learning about Israel has had a strong
impact on our lives. After being only two week
into our trip we were already greatly affected b
Jennifer Schanes, 16, of West Bloomfield is a
the land. ❑
member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

C