Safety A High Priority Despite cancellation in 2002, Federation's Teen Mission is a go in 2004. RONELLE GRIER Special to the Jewish News am Langberg says traveling to Israel is the fulfillment of a longtime dream. "I have a passion for Israel," said the 18-year-old from Bloomfield Hills, who will participate in the 2004 Federation Teen Mission this summer. "It always seemed like the birthplace of my soul, my homeland. I'm not at all nervous about safety. I feel like I'm meant to be there and that everything will be OK." Sam's parents, Lois and Mark Langberg, are enthusiastic about their son's upcoming trip. "Going to Israel will never be as magical as it is now, with other teens," Lois Langberg said. "Am I worried? I'm nervous every time he gets into a car, but he has such passion, how can I say no? I'm excited for him. I think he'll have a wonderful time." To date, 52 teens have signed up for the mission set for June 30-Aug. 2, said Amy Neistein, associate director of Israel and Overseas Services for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Applications are still being accepted. In the last Federation-sponsored teen mission in 2000, 280 teens participated. The 2002 mission was canceled because of much apprehension about safety at that time. The intifada (uprising) that raised concern then now is 3 1 /2 years old. But this mission is going, Neistein said with determination. "We are not dismissing the concerns of the parents," she said. "We want to reassure them that we are very security conscious." "We need to give this generation of teenagers the opportunity for a taste of Israel," said Nancy Schostak, who serves as mission chair. "If we don't make this available to them, then we should ask each other the question, 'Who will teach our next generation to love Israel?'" The mission is open to all Jewish teens currently in grades 9-12. The cost of the trip is $3,995, thanks to a subsidy from Federation's Annual Campaign and a $250,000 gift from Sam and Jean Frankel of Bloomfield Hills. The Detroit Jewish News is also a co-sponsor. The 1/23 2004 22 actual cost of the trip is $6,925, accord- ing to Neistein, and families who are able to pay more than the subsidized amount are encouraged to do so. Many local synagogues and other organizations are offering financial assis- tance to those who need it, and a brochure listing various scholarship resources is included in each application packet. "Federation is committed to making this trip go," Neistein said. "We don't want financial need to keep anyone a tour of Yad Vashem, and visits to the Knesset and the Supreme Court. With Israeli Teens Above: Sam Langberg Left: Scott and Marissa Lowen. from going. We have a close partnership with our metro-area rabbis. They're a big part of our recruiting effort." Security Concerns This will be the fourth Teen Mission for Rabbi Michael Moskowitz of Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. "I love going with the teens; seeing Israel through their eyes is really incredible," he said. "Every time I go, I find new things to see and do. "We understand the parents' concerns about safety, but we know we can create a safe and wonderful trip," Rabbi Moskowitz said. "Believe me, my wife wouldn't let me go if she thought it was dangerous." This year's trip has been carefully planned to ensure maximum security for all of the travelers, according to Neistein. The teens will not visit open markets or other places that have been common targets of terrorist attacks, and private, not public, buses will be used exclusively. Each bus will transport 40 . teens and seven staff members; con- sisting of a rabbi, a tour guide, a medic and four counselors. Every bus will have a phone, and trip updates will be posted on a Web site and by e mail. "Safety is our main priority," Neistein said. "The teen mission is one of the best ways possible to see Israel," said Rabbi Daniel Nevins of Adat Shalom Synagogue. "With over a month of tour ing, we have the chance to go off the beaten path and to discover some truly beautiful, exciting and inspiring places. I am confident that any teen who goes to Israel this summer will return not only safely, but with a whole new apprecia- tion of the gift of their Jewish heritage." The itinerary focuses on a different educational aspect each week: the histo- ry of the Jewish people in the land of Israel, the development of modern Israel challenges to the State of Israel and a final summation of the topics covered during the trip. Some of the highlights include dig- ging and exploring in the Beit Guvrin caves, swimming in the Dead Sea, a camel ride followed by an overnight in a Bedouin tent, an early morning ascent to Masada, snorkeling off the beaches of Eilat, an overnight desert "Adventure and Survival" program, a meeting with soldiers at Ramat David Air Force Base, In addition, the group will visit several kibbutzim, where they will experience kibbutz life by participating in activi- ties with the resident teens. The group also will spend time traveling with Israeli teens from Detroit Jewry's Federation Partnership 2000 Region in the Central Galilee. Alan Lowen of Farmington Hills had such a wonderful time visiting Israel as a teenager that he is thrilled to see his children carry on the tradi- tion. Marissa, 18, a freshman at Eastern Michigan University, went on the 2000 teen mission, and Scott, 16, is signed up for this year's trip. "It was an awesome experience, proba- bly the best summer of my life," said Marissa Lowen. "To this day, she hasn't stopped talk- ing about that trip," said her mother, Karen Lowen. "She made lasting friend- ships and she experienced a lot of growth. I have no reservations about safety. I trust them, and I know they won't take the kids anywhere that's dan- gerous." Alan Lowen added, "Hopefully, this trip will spark his Judaism for years to come." Said mission chair Schostak, "My hus- band and I have sent all three of our children on youth missions to Israel since 1966, and I can say without ques- tion that this is the single greatest gift that we, as parents, can give them." ❑ An informational meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Max M. Fisher Building, 6735 Telegraph, Bloomfield Township. Eran Applebaum of the Jewish Agency in Israel will be present to answer questions about the trip, including itinerary and security issues. This meeting is open to cur- rent applicants as well as anyone interested in learning more about the Teen Mission. Applications are still being accepted. For more infor- mation or an application packet, contact Amy Neistein at (248) 205- 2543.