Middle

Spirit Builder

U-M student responds to Israel's
need for help.

Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News

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August 17 2006

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Kresch said. "It's the first death I've ever
encountered that's been a sudden death.
He's my age, and I just got out of the
he conflict between Israel and army; it made me realize, `How can I be
Hezbollah struck straight at
in the States when a war is going on?'"
the heart of Frayda Kresch,
Kresch flew to Israel without any
20,of Southfield. The University of
set plan. But, as soon as she arrived,
Michigan student was studying and
she found places where assistance was
enjoying the summer in New York
needed. She has served as a hospital
when the fighting started. Suddenly,
volunteer in Haifa, helped distribute
her summer excursion no longer felt
medication to people stuck in bomb
right.
shelters in Nahariya and has even
"I found it very difficult to be away
visited shelters to entertain children
from Israel while all of this was going
and the elderly. Kresch also went along
on," Kresch said via cell phone from
with the group Israel Flying Aid to
Jerusalem. "I was
hand out air conditioners
reading the news-
and televisions.
papers, and I wasn't
"When a family mem-
sure I was getting
ber is in a state of need
the whole story. I
— you have to be there
knew the people
for them;' Kresch said. "I
needed help."
know that Israel is here
Now, Kresch, a
for me; so I have to be
member of Young
here for Israel."
Israel of Oak Park,
Kresch recalled one
is spending the
touching visit with an
remainder of her
elderly man at a bomb
summer volunteer-
shelter. To thank her
ing in bomb shel-
for her time, he wanted
ters and hospitals
to give her a token of
Frayda Kresch: "I found it
in northern Israel
his appreciation. She
very difficult to be away
— helping boost
thought he was going to
from Israel while all of this
people's spirits in
come back with a piece
was going on."
the midst of the
of candy, but instead he
bitter battle. She's
handed her a piece of
been close enough to the conflict to
metal — shrapnel from a Katyusha.
hear and feel the blasts of Hezbollah
She still has it. Kresch also has seen
rocket strikes.
firsthand how Near can bring people
"There have been days that I've been together.
more nervous about it and days where
"People are much more polite and
I've felt like, (0h yeah, that's just anoth-. caring," she said. "A soldier gets on a
er Katyusha [rocket];" she said.
bus and everybody looks at him with a
Kresch already had strong ties to
nod of gratitude."
Israel. She spent a year studying there
Kresch plans to remain in Israel,
from 2003-2004. The following year,
helping out in any way possible, until
she joined the Israel Defense Forces as
late August. Then, she'll return to the
a volunteer serving with the IDF's edu- University of Michigan to continue her
cation corps. During that time, Kresch
studies in engineering. She's reluctant
helped new immigrants adapt to the
to be in the limelight, but hopes her
army and to Israeli society. She also
story will inspire others.
made many friends along the way. One
"I'm really happy I came to Israel,"
of them, IDF soldier Refanael Muskal,
Kresch said. "I was brought up in a
21,from Mazkeret Batya was killed
family that holds Israel in very high
while fighting in Lebanon. She says
esteem, and I was also brought up with
news of his death gave her the final
Zionistic ideals. So, when the country
push to return to Israel.
is at war — how can I not be there to
"It was traumatic for me to hear," .
help?" E

