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 Let us know when your party is and we might catch you on film or send us your pictures at partypages@thejewishnews.com images must not exceed 5mb, images will be edited by the T2T staff This section is sponsored by Party Layne® Party Pagesm, You've been SpottedIm and Partyrazzi'm are trademarks of Party Layne , 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. 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