Teen Mission 2008

Expectations for Israel trip include excitement, fear and awe.

Counselor Justin Benson celebrates Teen Mission 2008 arrival at Ben-Gurion
Airport.

Brett Kline
Special to the Jewish News

I

packed today after watching Paul
Newman in Exodus last night. The
fact that I leave tomorrow still hasn't
settled. Nervous? A little. Last year's fam-
ily vacation to Israel gives something to
expect, though I know this will be entirely
different.
Relatives and friends envy my trip to
the Holy Land. They say being on my own
for this long with few people I previously
knew is a "right of passage into adult-
hood" and that "I will be more prepared
for college life." I agree, but this trip to me
means more.
Regardless of how conventionally reli-
gious one is, Israel's rich history makes it
a fascinating place for anyone. I remember
driving through the countryside with our
tour guide as she casually pointed to an
empty field, saying, "That's where David
killed Goliath ..."
To me, modern Israel is the most mean-
ingful. The recent history of war and
treaties make its importance seem all the
more real. Israel is now a place where no
matter what oppression or holocaust may
come upon us as Jews, we always have a
place to turn. The powerful experience of
Yad Vashem shows why Israel is so impor-
tant. After watching the documented hor-
ror of the Holocaust, the exit is a balcony

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July 10 • 2008

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overlooking Israel — as if to say here we
are today in this land and never again will
we be turned away.
When actually visiting Israel, instead
of hearing about it in the news or watch-
ing a movie about it, I further realized
how important Israel's existence is. Our
existence has hung on a thread many
times, yet this country that is smaller
than Michigan has been strong for over
60 years now. Peace with the surrounding
Arab countries and Palestinian citizens is
essential.
I have to admit that when I first went
to Israel, I was afraid of Palestinians. I
thought they were terrorists who hated
all Jews, Israel and America. When I was
there, I met some and learned they are like
any people: There are good ones and there
are bad ones. The fear I had is the same
fear that causes intolerance and judgment
of an entire people, which ultimately leads
to conflict.
One part of the trip I am most looking
forward to is meeting the Israeli teens who
will travel with us. They are at a point in
their lives when they will soon have to join
the military. Here in America, joining the
military is something uncommon, feared
and respected, but in Israel it is part of life.
If I am at all nervous about going to Israel
for a month, I feel emasculated compared
to these kids who have to join the Israel
Defense Forces for a few years.

Emily Sherbin of Farmington Hills struggles to lift her suitcase onto a truck at Ben-
Gurion Airport.

Training at Gadna will give me insight
to army life. I didn't choose army training
over the Sea-to-Sea Hike or Tikkun Olam
for fours days because I thought it would
be more fun. I don't expect fun to be a
factor; I think this will give me a deeper
understanding of Israeli citizenship.
Right now, any fear I have of going to
Israel is overshadowed with excitement.
When people from Teen Mission '06 talk
about their trip, they say they made many
close friendships and connected with
Israel. While in Israel, my mission is to
make new friendships, become closer to

More About TMO8:

•This year is the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit's sixth teen
mission.
•120 teens with three buses (106
Michigan teens,14 Israeli teens)
•48 female; 58 male
•First time to Israel: 84 of 106 teens
•Teens represent the following
Reform and Conservative congrega-
tions: Adat Shalom, Beth Ahm, B'nai
Moshe, Shaarey Zedek, Shir Shalom,
Shir Tikvah, Temple Beth El, Temple
Emanu-El, Temple Israel, Temple Kol

Judaism and become more involved in the
Detroit Jewish community. ❑

Brett Kline, 17, of
Clarkston, attends
Temple Shir Shalom In
West Bloomfield.

Ami, the Shul and congregations in
Flint and Windsor.
•33-day educational itinerary
includes travel to Jerusalem, the
south, north and Detroit's Partnership
2000 region (including home hospital-
ity), social action projects and visits
to JFMD-funded programs
•Suzan Curhan, TMO8 chair
•Sponsored by the Sherman Family
Israel Experience Fund and co-spon-
sored by the Detroit Jewish News in
partnership with Metro Detroit con-
gregations and Tamarack Camps.

Watch for teen 2 teen in next week's Jewish News