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Dr. Robert Goodman and Dr. David Rosenberg, both of West Bloomfield, enjoy the

medicinal effect of floating in the Dead Sea.

Sisters Reva Berman, 17, and Hannah Berman, 14, of
Farmington Hills stand in front of an Israeli flag at

Mission from page 21

Independence Hall with Becca Leider, 13, (center) on
"Teens to Tel Aviy Day."

Creating The 'Ruach'

"People are always hyped by the missions, and we
want to keep them energized," said Howard Dembs,
director of marketing and communications for
Federation. "We will try to connect people to volun-
teer opportunities in the community, whether it be
with the Federation, synagogues or organizations. We
also want to be sure they understand the Federation's
role in the community and contribute to meeting
community needs."
To organize these efforts, Marianne Bloomberg
recently joined the Federation staff as director of mis-
sions, outreach and development.
"I was delighted with how well everything went:'
said Peter Alter, president of Federation. "The rabbis
deserve a lot of the credit for creating the ruach (spir-
it) — especially the memorable erev Shabbat service

in Eilat — and recruiting a lot of their congregants."
Noting the contribution of the Mission chairs and
Federation staff, he continued, "I truly believe that no
other federation in America could have pulled this off
the way Detroit did and with Detroit's numbers.
Federation created much good will, much respect, and
a great sense of community.
Lis agreed. "The mission gave everyone a chance to
see how our Federation and our entire Jewish com-
munity are real partners with Israel in building a
bright and vibrant Jewish community," he said.

The Right Time

"The Mission created a level of excitement that it is
the right time to go to Israel," said Rabbi Harold Loss
of-Temple Israel, who was in Israel with both early
and late groups. "People are talking about looking for-
ward to going on the next family mission."

George Blum of Southfield, and Elyse Cantor, 15,
of West Bloomfield enjoying belly dancing at the

Nokdim Bedouin Camp in the Negev Desert.

Paul and Carolyn Tisdale of West Bloomfield and Deborah Tyner of

Jonah Newman, 9, of West Bloomfield riding a donkey at the Nokdim Bedouin Camp in the

Franklin lend a hand at the Federation-sponsored PACT (Parents and

Negev Desert.

Children Together) program in Netanya.

22

January 12 2006