Reflecting On Sept. 11 This Shavuot We're Still God's Children SIMCHA TZIPPY COHEN Special to the Jewish News T hirty-three hundred years ago, God gave us His Torah [the holiday of Shavuot marking that began at sun- down Thursday]. At this momentous occasion in history, God also took us to be His people forever. Over the last thousands of years, and especially in the last 100 years, we, His people, have been persecuted to unfathomable dimensions. One may start to question whether God still holds us to be His people. Often, people wonder how we can be God's children and still be persecuted so. The answer to this difficult ques- tion can be found in a very unlikely place: the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America. Through all the fire, terror and horror of that day, one can see amaz- ing miracles that took place. Miracles that show that through it all, God is still watching over us. In New Simcha Tzippy Cohen York City, around me because I never know what could happen tomorrow. Of course, I've always been a Jew, but it means something different for me now Before the tragedy, being a Jew meant praying, believing in something with others, and Israel. Now, it means those things and more. Like every American teen, I have a full schedule, but a priority for me is helping other Jews. Whether it's visiting the Jewish Home for Aged and dancing with the residents, or attending community events, being with Jews has definitely become a major factor in life for me. Offering to help with little kids in daycare or bringing in food for Yad Ezra, the Berkley- based kosher bank, is something that can affect other people's lives enough for them to take a step in the Shannon Fink Torateinu relates to the theme of free- dom. Each Shavuot, the Book of Ruth is recited because it describes Ruth's decision to dedicate herself whole- heartedly to Judaism. Similarly, the strong religious alle- giance that is commemo- rated on Shavuot is depicted in the Israelites' receiving of the Torah. They show Susan Goldis they freely accept the Torah with unconditional fidelity when they proclaim, "Nakseh Veneeshmah" (We will do and we will observe.) Upon this declaration, the Israelites prove they will commit themselves entirely to God's requests. During the holiday of Shavuot, we recognize that both Ruth and the Israelites freely chose loyalty and absolute adherence to Judaism. In modern times, the issue of free choice is still a main riff between the western world and Islamic ideology. While Judaism recognizes the need for free decision, the Islamic world turns its back on this essential value. Religion is founded upon principles of morality, yet morality cannot exist without freedom. Sept. 11 was perpe- trated by a group of people who had Give To Others While You Can SHANNON FINK Special to the Jewish News INT ith Shavuot here, we remember that God gave the Torah to the Jewish people. And giving of oneself has been uppermost in my thoughts. I think since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America, selfless giving has become more important than at any other time. When the sui- cide bombings started, I learned a very valuable lesson: to take in everything Torah And Terrorism SUSAN GOLDIS Special to the Jewish News T he rights that we take for granted in America are a mere caprice to millions around the world. We are ensured _the right to practice religion, without fear of terror or threat. Yet on the morning of Sept. 11, Jews realized that freedom is not so secure. The attack on America made us wake up to the calamities that Israelis experience daily. This year, recent events parade through our minds as we celebrate receiving the Torah during the festival of Shavuot. This holiday of Matan 5/17 2002 104 there is a group of religious Jewish men who have their own ambulance net- work; 85 of these men were at the World Trade Center helping the rescue effort. They were all in different places when the towers collapsed; everyone could hear in their walkie-talkies the cries of the other men who were blind- ed by smoke and thought they weren't going to make it. In the end, every sin- gle one of these men made it out alive, each with a harrowing tale of how he made it. There were buses that traveled every day from Lakewood, N.J., to the World Trade Center. On the day of the attacks, more than one bus lost its way — thereby saving all the people inside it. On the day of the attacks, prayers in synagogue were longer than usual because it was before Yom Kippur; therefore, many men came late to work. On the morning of the attacks, there was a memorial for someone who had been killed 30 days earlier; many of his co-workers came to his memorial and didn't make it to work. These are just a few out of the thou- sands of stories like this. If you look for the miracles, you'll find them. And there is no doubt in my mind that God hasn't forgotten us. ❑ Simcha Tzippy Cohen, 17, is a senior at Beth Jacob in Oak Park and president of the student council She attends Agudas Yisroel-Mogen Abraham in Southfield. Her parents are Golda and Rabbi Avi Cohen of Southfield. right direction. Helping others is something that is so important for everyone. There are others who don't have what we do; and if we all help each other, there is a guarantee of everyone surviving through the hardest of times. Being a Jew is unique: We were the ones chosen to receive God's sacred book. We have to give of ourselves, as if there were no tomorrow. ❑ Shannon Fink, 17, daughter of Kathy and Harvey Fink, is an 11 th-grader. at Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills and a member of Temple Israel. skewed ethics under immoral leader- ship. In light of recent events, Jews must use the Torah's teachings of leading an ethical life to stand against the repression of freedom. Just as we once chose to uncondi- tionally accept the Torah, modern Jews must reinforce their choice to stand by Israel. This Shavuot, we must remember our ancestors' com- mitment of Nakseh Veneeshmah and use the same passion in our attack on terrorism. ❑ Susan Goldis, 17, is a junior at the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit. She is the daughter of Cheryl and Alex Goldis of Bloomfield Hills and a member of Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield.