Special Report
WE ARE FAMILY
"Even though it was not my first time in Israel, it was the first time
it occurred to me that Israel is the only nation/state in the world
that I can go to and not be a religious or 'heritage' minority. It is a
refreshing and liberating feeling, not just because I am free to make
Jewish jokes without any hesitation, but also through a shared his-
torical background and cultural similarities despite being on the
other side of the world.
"We're in the 'same boat, so to speak, which allowed me to let
down my guard with the locals unlike anywhere else I have traveled
in the world. Israel does not feel like home for me, but the people do
not feel like strangers either:'
— Aaron Bass, Birmingham
"Day 2: We met with Israeli military expert Kobi Marom in the
Golan Heights. We visited a memorial commemorating 73 soldiers
who died during a training exercise before the 2006 Lebanon War.
Kobi knew each man and his family personally. While tragic, this
event played a major part
in changing Israeli policy
on the war. We learned
everything the Israelis do
amidst their challenges
"Thirteen years ago I had the
privilege of going on a family
for survival is done with
vacation to Israel. At 14, I didn't
a priority on preservation
appreciate Israel for its incred-
of Jewish life.
ible history and its importance
"As emerging lead-
to the Jewish people. To be hon-
ers in the Detroit Jewish
est, to me it was just another
community, our takeaway
country where waiting in lines
from this experience is
didn't exist, manners were
the importance of help-
unknown and cars didn't stop
ing our own. I think we've
for pedestrians.
been given that opportu-
"Now, at 27, I was fortunate
nity and I am so excited
enough to be chosen to go
for the good we have yet
on this leadership mission. I
to accomplish."
thought it was a great oppor-
— Josh Levine,
tunity to experience Israel at
Huntington Woods
an age where it could mean
something to me. Seeing the
connection between Detroit
and Israel is unreal. Also, since
"When we arrived at
a majority of young adults in
Masada at 5:30 a.m.
the Detroit area have moved out
after a long bus ride
of Michigan, it was also a great
through the darkness, it
chance to meet new people."
was already 90 degrees.
— Jamie Trager,
We stretched briefly and
West Bloomfield
then started our journey
upward. As I hiked along
the snake path, I thought
about the last time I was
at Masada — I was 16
and with my family celebrating my brother's bar mitzvah. This
time I was with my husband and a group of dynamic young adults
— future leaders — from our community.
"We supported each other along the way; and 45 grueling min-
utes or so later, we reached the top and watched the sun appear. I
was so proud of myself and our whole amazing group for making
it to the top; and watching the sunrise made the 2:30 a.m. wake-
up call worth it. At the top, we all did yoga together as a way to
stretch, reflect and laugh together. It was definitely an experience I
will never forget!"
— Lindsey Maddin, Huntington Woods
14
September 9 • 2010
Becker All-Star
"As a leader, one of the most significant things we can do
Mission participants
for our community here in Detroit is spread the word of
take a Segway tour
the importance of Israel, and how important it is to give
through Jerusalem.
to and support our country. If Israel isn't there, we do not
get to have the same experiences that millions of other
Jews and our ancestors did — like going to the Western
Wall or climbing Masada.
"For me, I really felt most connected at the Kotel on Shabbat, Friday night. You're
always told about it, the feeling you might get and you see the pictures. But when you're
there, it's surreal. Think about it: Jews have been praying at that exact spot and been
praying towards the direction of that Wall for so many years. I'm not a particularly reli-
gious person, but standing in a circle singing songs for Shabbat really meant something
to me.
"Now that I'm home, I feel a responsibility to talk to young adults in Detroit about
what I saw and learned. I hope I can send the message of how important it is to go to
Israel yourself; take the chance if you have the opportunity to go."
— Jared Goldman, Royal Oak
"One word comes closest to summarizing my experience in Israel: connected. When we
choose to do so, it is remarkable how quickly and powerfully we can connect with our
peers, our community and our history.
Our trip to Israel is littered with
evidence of such connectivity.
"After only a little more than a
week, a group of relative strangers was
transformed into a cohesive group of
friends and young leaders poised to
contribute to our Jewish community.
"During the trip, we connected with
our Partnership 2000 region, Ethiopian
Jews, a Holocaust survivor, the his-
tory of Israel and the contributions
Detroiters have made to Israel. It is
clearer than ever that we are all con-
nected, and that what we do really does
matter. Having reconnected with our
peers, our community and our history,
Shayna Levine, Lindsey Maddin, Jodi Satovsky
we choose to make a difference!"
and Leah Bold cook up delicious sangrias for a
— Marty Maddin,
Friday night "Shuk & Cook" in Jerusalem.
Huntington Woods
The 2010 Adorn p,nd Jodi Becker All-Star Mission
Aaron Bass
Leah Bold, co-chair
Jared Goldman
Rachel Lachover
Josh Levine, co-chair
Shayna Levine
Lindsey Maddin
Marty Maddin
Scott Mitnick
Matt Ran
Jodi Satovsky
Bryan Schon
Kim Schon
Jamie Trager
Jaimee Wine
Federation staff: Jessica Goodwin, campaign associate; Jennifer Levine, YAD director.
Special thanks to Adam and Jodi Becker of Bloomfield Hills.