41.1111116.

411F,

Operation Cast Lead

Sparkle Of Jerusalem

Detroiter experiences the joy of Shabbat in Israel.

Jerusalem

I

t is almost Shabbat in the holy city
of Jerusalem and while I have yet
to leave seminary this morning, I
already know what it is like outside. The
streets are packed with people who all
seem to be an hour late to wherever it is
they were going
(which is prob-
ably only home for
Shabbat).
Every house I
walk past smells
heavily of sim-
mering meat or
spicy turmeric.
I will soon go to
the center of town
to meet up with a
friend as we head
off to Hertzeliah
for Shabbos; I will most likely run into 50
peers in the supermarket because we are
all buying bottles of wine or candy dishes
for our hosts who are housing us for the
weekend.
Traffic is heavy; people are screaming;
horns are beeping and it is hardly even
noon yet. Despite all of this chaos, you can
bet every person you pass will wish you a
Shabbat Shalom whether you know them
or not.
That is why Jerusalem is my favorite

city in the world. Admittedly, I am not a
world traveler (despite what my parents
might say!), so I can only compare the
chaos of Jerusalem with that of New York
City, Detroit and Cleveland — at least for
now! But after living in this city for a little
more than five months, I admit that I am
truly homesick when I leave.
True, there is lots of screaming and
honking; and certain neighborhoods
are infamous for their rock throwing.
Jerusalem can be grimy and filled with
stenches resembling that of a rotting
corpse. And yet when the sun starts to
set and Shabbat comes in, the whole city
experiences a type of serene tranquility as
the Jerusalem stone sparkles in the light of
the Shabbat candles.

with a few girls in my school and we had a
Chanukah party with the residents. I have
done a lot of volunteer work before, but I
have never in my life seen such gratitude
as I did when I was in Sderot. Every single
day, these people worry about whether
or not a rocket made of street signs and
compost waste will fall into their bed-
rooms. Children are afraid to walk outside
and often spend most of their free time
in a miklat (shelter) playing with old toys
amidst stark white walls. It's enough to
make anyone go crazy.
In school, we have a established a 24-
hour learning program, making sure
someone is always learning in the merit of
our brave soldiers and we also say Tehilim
(special prayers) every day.

Shabbat's Wonder
Everybody's prayer from all the differ-
ent shuls drift into one terrific voice. The
spark that begins in Jerusalem shines
throughout the country giving everyone
from Mitzpeh Rimon to Be'er Sheva a
little taste of the divinity and holiness of
Jerusalem. Shabbat in Jerusalem lasts for a
week and just as that spark begins to fade,
it is time for Shabbat again and everything
is peaceful.
Despite what the news might be say-
ing in America (I tend to only read Israeli
news now!), Israel is safe; and so am I.
Two weeks ago, I traveled down to Sderot

War's Effects
This is my first real experience with war,
since it has been centuries since a war
was fought on American soil. Everyone
in school deals with it in different ways;
some girls want to go home; others won't
take buses or go to public places. Of
course, I am by no means a true Israeli,
but I feel that restricting travel not only
limits my adventures of my year in Israel;
but is also a small victory for terrorists.
I understand the extremity of my state-
ment, but living in Israel has made me so
proud of my heritage and my people that
I can't bring myself to let terrorism scare

me to the point where I have to live in fear
(especially in Jerusalem where rockets
aren't a threat).
Israel is the land of the Jewish people
and it shows: Every stone in the soil has a
story that can be traced back to our bibli-
cal ancestors. The smell of Jewish cooking
seeps out of window cracks; and the spark
from Shabbat illuminates the country,
bringing a sense of unity and peace to
all the political chaos.
Every day, my love for learning, Judaism
and Israel increases. And I am ever
thankful that I had the opportunity to
spend this year in Israel continuing my
path of Jewish education. From Tanach
to Israel advocacy, my classes and my
experiences are leading me on a path of
discovery.
Please continue to think and pray for
our brave soldiers in Gaza and for security
in Israel. And as I prepare to head out for
Shabbat, I will think of them as well, in
combination with all of the other brave
people throughout time who have fought
for this land and enabled us to sing Am
Yisrael Chai — the People of Israel Live.

Elizabeth Traison, 18, of West Bloomfield is a
2008 graduate of the Frankel Jewish Academy
of Metropolitan Detroit. She is spending a

gap-year in Israel, studying at Midreshet
Lindenbaum in Jerusalem. She has plans to

attend the University of Michigan next year.

Security Check

Reassess procedures, experts urge.

Washington/JTA

ewish organizations must be
review security procedures
and be prepared in light of the
unrest in the Middle East, warn security
experts.
The Secure Community Network, which
coordinates security for North American
Jewish institutions, has alerted more than
500 Jewish organizations, including syna-
gogues, JCCs and federations.
Paul Goldenberg, SCN's national direc-
tor, said organizations were advised to
reassess their security with a particular

j

for anti-Semitic rhetoric to
emphasis on counter-surveil-
be on the rise as are anti-
lance. Representatives of the
Israel and anti-Semitic inci-
Department of Homeland
dents," said Betsy Kellman,
Security have assisted
executive director of the
Goldenberg.
Bloomfield Township-based
At this point, there is noth-
Anti-Defamation league-
ing eminent or specific as far as
Michigan Region office.
threats against American Jewish
"ADL stands as a resource
institutions, said Goldenberg.
Betsy Ke Ilman
for the local community,"
But organizations are advised to
test their security systems and procedures she said. "As of now, there are no credible
threats to the Metro Detroit community.
by running simulations to ensure every-
ADL is in touch with the FBI and local
one fully understands them.
law enforcement on a regular basis, and
"You should be aware that during this
we remain calm and ever vigilant."
time of war in Israel that it is not unusual

.

She reiterated Goldenberg's recommen-
dation to review security procedures with
staff and make sure all security equip-
ment is in top operating order. "Every
employee should be aware of their sur-
roundings and should be the first line of
defense about anything unusual or out of
order," she said.
SCN is tracking and collecting informa-
tion on any kinds of attacks or vandalism
directed at Jewish targets across the coun-
try and sharing it with the Department of
Homeland Security. To report incidents,
the SCN hot-line is (877) 265-3337. ❑

January 22 2009

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