Gittel and Aron
Moshe at Masada
south ofJerusalem.
lence and hatred, let them suffer the
consequences.
No longer just an outsider, a tourist,
but a father of an Israeli soldier, I also
urge the government to strengthen and
beautify the entire country, including
our "settlements" and holy sites. Any
self-respecting nation would seek to pre-
serve its own time-hallowed and hon-
ored treasures.
It was heartbreaking for Gittel and me
to learn firsthand about the archeological
destruction done by the Arabs on top of
the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It seems
that this is another one of their attempts
to rewrite history and destroy historical
proof of a Jewish connection to Israel.
When the Taliban destroyed the cen-
turies-old statues of Buddha, the entire
free world was up in arms. I keep listen-
ing, but I simply don't hear the same
forceful protests concerning the Temple
Mount travesty.
When we asked about visiting the
tomb of Joseph, we were equally sad-
dened to hear that this area is now
under Palestinian control and off-limits
to Jews. In fact, after Israel gave this
piece of real estate to the Arabs, another
"peace" deal after more rioting and vio-
lence on their part, they quickly pro-
ceeded to destroy the place, including a
nearby Torah center, build a mosque
there and not allow Jews to enter!
The Palestine Liberation
Organization and company have shown
their true colors. In reality, they are not
peace" partners, but "piece" partners.
They simply want more and more
pieces of a pie that both historically and
"
militarily is not theirs to begin with.
Finally, I urge all of you to visit this
incredible country for yourselves. Bring
some extra water and climb Masada. Pray
at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Stroll .
through the neat shops on Ben Yehuda.
When I left Israel this time, I bent
down once again to kiss the ground
and make a promise. Thirty years?
Not a chance. It's gonna be tough to
wait 30 days. ❑
BLEWETT from page 21
with several people responsible for.
North American affairs, I commented
about that consistency of gratitude
from the first letter of inquiry sent
several months ago to the actual meet-
ings in Israel. I said that it had
impressed on me how very alone and
isolated Israelis must feel. NCLCI's
longtime friend Barukh Binah, head
of the international affairs depart-
ment's Center for Public Policy, inter-
rupted and rightly suggested that
"under siege" would be a better way of
describing the feelings of most Israelis.
And yet, despite all the terrible
things that Israel and Israelis are
going through, all of us were
impressed with how Israel continues
to be a remarkable resource to devel-
oping nations, especially in Africa.
We spent several hours at the
Technion learning about some of the
mind-boggling research in areas such
as water reclamation, stem cell
research, and innovative food produc-
tion that uses a minimal amount of
David Blewett is the Southfield-based
executive director of the Ecumenical
Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies
and president and national director of
the National Christian Leadership
Conference for Israel. To schedule him to
speak before a synagogue or communal
group about his trip, call the Ecumenical
Institute: (248) 557-4540.
resources in order to better meet the
needs of the world's growing number
of starving people.
Later in the week, we spent half a
day with the Foreign Ministry's
Center for International Cooperation
(MASHAV) and learned how Israel's
international development program
has helped a number of countries,
140 so far, develop means of rapid
and sustainable development.
Although the MASHAV program
includes areas such as immigrant
absorption, individual and public
health, desertification, education and
community development, our expo-
sure to MASHAV focused on how
Israelis are helping to increase food
production in Sierra Leone and in
Southeast Asia, including innovative
and affordable means of food storage
and marketing techniques.
As I ended most of our meetings, I
often asked our guests or hosts if
there was anything they wanted us to
tell people in the United States. The
most common answer we heard was:
"Tell them to come to Israel; most of
the country is very safe; it's not
crowded and, because of our lousy
economy, it's a good deal for
Americans." And, often coupled with
that answer, they also said, "Tell them
we are not going away. We will be
here when they come — and we will
make sure that everyone who comes
will have a safe and fantastic time
here in Israel." ❑
Where are you?
Israel is calling.
Our homeland
is hurting.
Our brothers and
sisters are waiting for
you with open arms.
Travel to Israel has
never been more
important.
More rewarding.
You'll do things and
meet people that will
inspire you.
Amaze you.
Co-sponsored by
'TN
Byrum r mourn
This is our third
Solidarity Mission in
recent months.
Ask anyone who has
gone and they'll tell you
the same story.
This is a trip you will
never forget.
ISRAEL
NEEDS
US
PLEASE JOIN US
SOLIDARITY
MISSION
TO ISRAEL
May 19-24, 2002
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
in conjunction with the Jewish Community Council and
the Detroit Jewish News, is joining with other Federations
from across America to stand with Israel in Israel.
$1,230 per person
includes airfare: Detroit-NY-Tel Aviv on El AI, hotel (dbl. occupancy),
most meals and transportation in Israel
T his is federation
Visit us online: www.thisisfederation.org
MEM
1/25
2002
23