DETROIT
JEWISH NEM

JN

February 18, 2010 / 4 Adar 577

tbt

for teens by teens

a helping hand

Jewish principles spur swift action to respond in Haiti's time of need.

by Atara Lakritz

•

OJ

§

e were all long-distance
witnesses to the devas-
tating events following
the earthquake that hit Haiti on
Jan. 12. The destruction directly af-
fects 3 million people, who suffer
deaths, casualties and lack of neces-
sities such as food, water, medical
aid and shelter.
In response to the crisis, the Jewish
community has exhibited a tremen-
dous outpouring of aid to Haiti. From
raising money at day schools like Ald-
va Hebrew Day School in Southfield
and Frankel Jewish Academy in West

Bloomfield, to bake sales at public
schools like Birmingham Groves High
School, to synagogues banding togeth-
er to muster donations, the reaction
from the local Jewish community has
been a desire to help — even in these
difficult economic times.
It pays to ponder for a moment:
Why are Jews in Detroit and around
the world so willing to extend a hand?
Why have Jewish federations and
groups worldwide jumped to organize
fundraising efforts? Why were Israel
Defense Forces troops there to help
right away, setting up a makeshift hos-

pital and distributing aid? What does mentary, interprets this to mean "the
this have to do with us? Why do we, as Jewish people are unique among the
nations, a nation that does not exist for
Jews, feel so obligated?
The answer is simple. It is our natu- its own fame, greatness or glory, but
ral response, our internal instinct and, rather the glorification of the kingdom
foremost, our responsibility as a peo- of God on Earth."
This is a message that can be univer-
ple. In Parshat Yitro, which we recent-
sally
appreciated by all Jews no matter
ly read, when the Jews are camped at
Mt. Sinai before the giving of the To- their level of observance. We exist to be
rah, God, through Moshe, tells Israel, a light unto the nations ("or la-goyim"),
"ve-atem tiheyu li mamlechet kohanim an example to the rest of the world of
ve-goy kadosh," translated as "and you how to act and react to our daily lives
shall be to Me a kingdom of priests — a as well as to world events.
An essential Jewish principle that
holy nation" (Exodus 19:4-6).
Rabbi S. R. Hirsch, in his corn-
continued on page 77'4

teen2teen February 18 • 2010 TT1