commentary
teen opportunity
by Laura Katsnelson
Gilaci dilemma
BackStagePass!
1 Israeli soldier for 1,000 Palestinians?
Gilad Shalit
W
hen this issue of Teen2Teen is published, it will be Gilad
Shalit's 1,362th day in captivity. That's 1,362 days since he
was captured by Palestinian militants while defending his
country at an Israel Defense Forces post near Gaza. Or 1,362 days his
absence has been felt throughout Israel and publicized internationally
via the news media, protest demonstrations and even a plan to remem-
ber him at seder tables. That's 1,362 days — almost four years — since
Shalit has had any direct contact with his family or the outside world,
aside from three letters, a voice recording and one video.
The recent events surrounding this video, released last October, have
created much controversy. Now, with proof Shalit is still alive, Israel seems
to be negotiating with Hamas: a prisoner swap in which Israel would release
up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Gilad Shalit.
Israel faces a quandary. Should its government release 1,000 suspected
terrorists and endanger Israeli civilians to save the life of one solider? Which
is morally and ethically correct? There is no simple answer. Yet as a Jewish
American teen, I believe Israel should negotiate to bring Shalit home.
As a 17-year-old, the issue hits close to home. For all you teenagers read-
ing this, just think: You are around the age to begin preparation for the army
in Israel. In exchange for protecting your country, wouldn't you expect your
country would do everything in its power to protect you? The relationship
between the IDF and its soldiers is a two-way street and must remain that
way for soldiers to have faith in their military and their government. Israel
needs to fulfill its duties and work towards Shalit's safety.
And though the release of 1,000 prisoners would be dangerous indeed, it
is not new. In 2008, Israel exchanged five Hezbollah-affiliated prisoners for
the bodies of two Israeli soldiers. Though on a smaller scale, Israel has es-
tablished a precedent that it is obligated to continue. Especially in the case
of Gilad Shalit, whom the government would get back alive!
Finally, I believe Gilad has grown to become a symbol representing the
Israeli cause and the fight for Israel's security. If the opportunity to save
his life is not taken and he is killed, it would destroy the faith and spirit of
Israelis and lead to the discouragement of soldiers and their families.
Yes, the endangerment of civilians cannot be denied. But one cannot
equally compare the possibility of death with the certainty of life. Israel
must not let the fear of terrorism get in the way of saving Gilad Shalit's life.
To stay informed, check www.haaretz.com or www.ynetnews.com . { )
Laura Katsnelson, 17, is a senior at Walled Lake Western High School.
New community program launched for high school juniors.
ackStagePass (BSP), an exclu- and offer them resources and profes-
sive four-year program tar- sional opportunities they could not
geting incoming high school otherwise access," said Jordan Wolfe,
juniors, is being launched by Com- CommunityNEXT director. "There is
munityNEXT (CNEXT), a division no more exciting place in the country
of the Jewish Federation of Metro- than Detroit for young, talented indi-
politan Detroit.
viduals to create significant change.
BSP is dedicated to developing
"BSP will be a unique, dynamic,
the next generation of Jewish lead- fun, innovative program with a long-
ers, influencers and "change agents" lasting impact on our community."
in the Metro Detroit community. BSP
Programs may include an over-
is looking for Jewish students with di- night at BBYO's Bittker Center in
verse backgrounds and the leadership Ortonville, direct interaction with top
ability to make real change within and Jewish business and government lead-
outside of the local community.
ers and an exclusive tour of a profes-
BSP will expose high school ju- sional sports arena.
niors to elements of the Jewish and
BackStagePass grew out of the vi-
larger Detroit communities through sion of Arthur Siegal, an attorney at
a series of social, cultural and profes- Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss in South-
sional events normally not accessible field, who saw a need to engage Jew-
to the participants.
ish youth and expose them to exciting
Eighteen high school juniors will aspects of Metro Detroit they other-
meet artists, government offi-
wise would not have the
cials and prominent business
chance to experience.
leaders, and experience busi-
"It's time we show our
nesses and organizations that
teens the best Detroit has
are at the forefront of trans-
to offer, rather than letting
forming the region.
them hear only bad news,"
The BSP experience ends
Siegal said.
with a unique internship op-
The BSP application pro-
portunity tailored to students'
cess begins April 15. Appli-
specific interests the summer
cations will be accepted on a
after their sophomore college year.
rolling basis until the 18 positions are
Each year, a new class of 18 stu- filled. The first class of participants
dents will be accepted, creating a will start in January 2011.
core group of 50+ over the next three
For more info or to apply, go to
years. "We are looking to create a www.backstagepassmi.com or contact
movement of young Jewish leaders Jordan Wolfe, (248) 203-1467. }
teen2teen staff •
Teens,
we want you in
the party pages!
hotline: (248) 351-5144 • kcohen@thejewishnews.com
Reporters I Eryn Fox, Molly Goldmeier, Molly Grossman, Elizabeth Kirshner, Ruthie Lehmann, Avi Mendelson, Avielle Movsas,
Stephanie Schulman, Yona Isaacs (Akiva Hebrew Day School, Southfield); Gabriella Ring, Erica Sachse (Berkley); Nechama Tawil
(Beth Jacob, Oak Park); Teddi Cantor, Alexa Eisenberg, Rachel Gorosh, Lauren Lewis, Sara Smoler, Carly Sternberg. Rachael Vettese,
Rachel Wein (Bloomfield Hills Andover); Abby Hyman (Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood); Emily Zussman (Detroit Country Day,
Beverly Hills); Adina Applebaum, Rachel Brown, Tamar Brown, Carly Cykiert, Hillary Dorman, Polina Fradkin, Emily Goodman,
Helene Glickman, Rachel Goutman, Dan Hacker, Jessica Kahn, Michelle Kappy, Atara Lakritz, Rachel Margolin, Andrew Milgrom,
Blake Orman, Maddy Soltz, Samantha Zwick (Frankel Jewish Academy, West Bloomfield); Mayer Schneider (home schooled);
Robert Axelrod (Huron, Ann Arbor); Bassie Rabin (Lubavitch Seminary/Montreal); Sam Gringlas, Nate Strauss (North Farmington); Lily
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TT4 teen2teen April 15.2010
Grier (Orchard Lake Middle School, West Bloomfield); Laura Katsnelson (Walled Lake Western); Ben Eilender, Jennifer Finkel, Bridget
Labe (West Bloomfield); Mackenzie Coden (West Bloomfield Walnut Creek)
Photographers I Jessica Polk (Frankel), Colton Graub (Cranbrook-Kingswood )
supervising staff
Chief Operating Officer I F. Kevin Browett
Editorial Director I Robert Sklar
Executive Editor I Keri Guten Cohen
Creative Director I Deborah Schultz
IT Director I Deanna Spivey
Teen Consultant I Jon Layne
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