This Week

Teen Mission 2000

•

Journey proves a great
way to refresh the
spiritual soul.

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Jerusalem
itting on a plane, breathing _
the same damp, recycled air
for 13 hours, I began to forget
the purpose of my trip to Israel.
Why did I decide to travel so far
in the first place? Why did I choose
to spend such a large portion of my
badly needed summer vacation in a
land I'd already visited six years
before? The excitement caused by the
realization of returning to Israel for
the second time had faded, unfortu-
nately. This didn't exactly create an
enjoyable plane ride, but I managed
to keep myself busy without thinking

One of the main reasons I decided
too much about what the near future
to participate in the mission was to
held in store.
renew my spirituality and faith in
As the plane ride came to a close
Judaism.
Reflecting back on the trip,
and the tires came to a screeching
I feel compelled to say that my soul
halt, my eyes widened and the initial
definitely has been refreshed by the
excitement that originally caused me
breeze of spirituality I felt
to sign up for the Teen
throughout the Israeli atmos-
Mission to Israel once again
phere. Each piece of history I
flooded my mind. The flight
saw, each nature trail I hiked,
attendants opened the doors
-
and each ancient city I
and the aisles were immedi-
explored,
enriched
my
spirit
ately filled with passengers
with an indescribable sensa-
eager to get out into the fresh,
tion. And while most partici-
open air.
Jo SH
pants frequently complained
As I approached the door,
FEIN BERG
the bright Israeli sun shone on Specia Ito the about the poor food and •
water, I always seemed corn- .
my face, giving me a feeling of
Jewis h News forted by simply taking a
warmth and comfort that last-
deep breath of air. It was as if
ed throughout the trip. As I
I
had
inhaled
a fresh, new attitude
took that first step off the plane into
and exhaled a tired, old one.
the land of milk and honey, I took a
I'm very glad that the pride and
breath of the coolest, most refreshing
excitement I obtained during the trip
air one could ever possibly find.
became my spiritual baggage, return-
Personally, this breath of air well-
ing home permanently attached to
defines the entire meaning of the
my heart and soul. II
trip: refreshment! .

Josh Feinberg, 17, of West
Bloomfield is a member of
Congregation Beth. Ahm.
•
Last week saw 282 high school students return from Detroit's third Teen Mission to Israel, a journey designed to strengthen
Jewish identity and build Jewish camaraderie. Co-sponsors of the June 28 to July 31 mission were the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit and affiliated agencies, the Jewish News and local synagogues.

