Teens How Has The Aftermath Of 9-11 Changed The Way You Think And Live Jewishly? Another Life Lesson po eople react differently to terror. On the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, our country divided. Some Americans chose _to band together in support of grieving families and a nation, while others reacted only by looking for a culprit. Prior to Sept. 11, my naivete kept me from acknowledging the enormity of ignorance and hatred that lives within our own country. In the after- math of terror, the Middle East and Afghanistan became the targets for blame, overshadowing,similar senti- meats that exist within our own borders amongst fellow Americans. This summer, I attended a weeklong government simula- tion with people from all over Michigan. There, I encoun- tered anti-Semitism firsthand. Engaging discussions on worldly issues and politics could not camouflage those individuals who came with hatred and bigotry. " My friend and-I, both Jews, attended this event and were confronted several times by . •_ROB FELDMAN Special to the •Jewish News anti-Semitism. Comments like "Jews are so backwards," and "I hate Jews" surfaced. One individual, with no - idea of my religion, confessed his hatred for Jews. After I informed him that I was Jewish, he rebutted that his comment was a joke. We both knew he didn't speak in jest. He excused his prejudice jest. by minimizing the Holocaust and stating versions of bibli- cal history that would put history teachers to shame. Infuriated, I stayed calm, A False Sense Of Security T he man who was respon- sible for convincing the Sbarro's pizza corporation to rebuild the restaurant blown up by a suicide bomber in Jerusalem declined the invitation to attend its re-dedication. This unaffiliated Jewish Sbarro's " executive thanked his Israeli coun- terparts for the invitation, but explained that he would not attend because he did not want to risk his life. Tragically, this man was in the World Trade Center in New York City on the day of the Jerusalem re- dedication, Sept. 11. My-heart stings as I hear this story, but reflects on the famous saying, "When we make plans, God laughs." This year, I recognized that no matter how invinci- ble we may feel, ultimately, we are not the ones control- ling this world. With Rosh Hashanah upon us, I think of the Unetaneh Tokef prayer, in which God is depicted as a shepherd and all of humanity, his sheep, DEBORAH ANSTANDIG Special to the Jewish News walking before Him. We have no greater example than Sept. 11 to remind us that we are not omnipo- tent; we do not cause the sun to rise and set every day. As the year has gone on, I have tried to live my life more reliant on God. I rec- ognize that, as a Jew, I have a built-in obligation of thanking God for each blessing in my life — from my ability to see, to the We Must Stand Together O n Sunday, Aug. 18, 2002, I left for Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel). I will be spending the year learning at Yeshivat Hakotel. At first, with all of the terrorist events in Israel, I was reluctant to spend my first independent year in a somewhat dangerous environment; but the occurrence of Sept. 11 only strengthened my decision to spend a year in Israel. I will not alter my life 9/ 6 2002 176 out of fear! On the contrary, - I will live my life the way I have intended. I will live my life by the ways of the Torah, while continuing my Judaic studies and pur- suing my dream to become a lawyer. I will not hide who I am or what I believe in. Sept. 11 changed my life in many ways. I now have a better under- standing of what it feels like to have the country that I live in and love attacked by terrorists. I am now much more sympathetic and understanding toward our brethren in Israel. As Jews, we have survived through persecution, hatred, pogroms and the Holocaust. The events of Sept. 11 have made me more resolved to be steadfastin my Judaism and commitment to my goals, family and community. recited a quick history le s . son and asked him to leave my room. These individuals did not - confine their hatred to Jews. Sept. 11, 2001, and the months tha_t followed, have changed rile. I know now, more than ever, that I must use my knowledge and conviction to help create under- standing and tolerance among Jews and non-Jews alike. How can we expect to influence world peace when hate and ignorance are carried openly on our own soil? ❑ Rob Feldman, 17, is the son of Marla and Murray Feldman of Farmington Hills. He is a senior at North Farmington High School in Farmington Hills and a member of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. ability to go to the bathroom! I make a brachah (blessing) to remind myself that my ability to think, walk and wiggle my finger comes not out of my own greatness, but from a higher source. I pray that it will never again take a tragedy like Sept. 11 to remind us to acknowledge the daily miracle of being alive. May we all merit being written in the Book of Life. ❑ Deborah Anstandig, 17, is the daughter of Marcia and Ronald Anstandig of West Bloomfield. She is a student at the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit and a member of Congregation Beth Ahm, both in West Bloomfield. I hope and pray that the rest of the world will get a wake-up call that we cannot bend to ter- rorists. We must put our faith in HaShem and our resolve to stand together for truth, freedom and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Aubrey Beneson, 18, is the son of Marci and David AUBREY BENESON Special to the Jewish News Beneson of Southfield. He is a graduate of Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield and a member of Young Israel of Southfield.