Berkley School District
is the Oakland County
school district where

personal

excellence

is achieved through
a powerful
community, a true
culture of caring,
and

Young Zionisvz

Instilling a pioneering spirit.

"It's in the interest of all Jews and
Israelis that our country flourishes
everywhere, not just Tel Aviv," Knoller
said. "The TV and film industry is in
he American Zionist
Tel Aviv so most TV shows and movies
Movement (AZM) wants
are set there and you only hear about
you to know that Zionism is
life
there. Most Knesset members and
about more than politics, peace talks
government
people live in Tel Aviv.
and controversy. And it's bringing
They
don't
understand
the obstacles
programming to Detroit to highlight
you
are
facing
outside
of
there. It's chal-
young Israelis who exemplify today's
lenging,
but
has
so
much
potential!'
Zionism through their personal and
Arbel
started
professional lives.
-1
the
first
movie
"Zionism gives
A house in Dimona.
lots of challenges
Knoller wants
and you've got
if-
to
bring a creative
to accept them;
community
of
you've got to roll
film
and
theater
from one to the
people to live
next," said Ohad
there.
"We can
Knoller, a 33-year
develop
an alter-
old Israeli
native
cultural
actor who has
life he said. "We
garnered raves
want to build a
for his roles in
unique theater
Israeli films and Israelis Karmit Arbel and Ohad
that is artistic and
Knoller speak about pioneering
television.
not commercial."
Knoller and
Zionist programs in Dimona.
Arbel believes
Karmit Arbel, 33,
that
young
a leader of the
Israelis
are
looking
for
such
oppor-
Ayalim movement that settles groups
tunities.
The
program
is
growing
and
of young Israeli students in the Negev
now
receives
almost
70
percent
of
its
Desert in the south and the Galilee
funding
from
the
government.
in the north, spoke to more than 70
"People are looking for spiritual-
people at the Franklin Athletic Club on
ity!'
said Arbel. "They go to India;
Aug. 25 at an AZM-sponsored Israeli
they
are looking to Kabbalah. There
Cafe.
is
a
search
for connection. They don't
Based in New York, AZM is a nation-
want
to
betray
what their parents
al umbrella organization of Jewish
taught
them
[about
being a pioneer
Zionist organizations and an affiliate
and
building
the
state]."
of the World Zionist Organization that
But it's not all sacrifice. Not by a
advocates and educates on behalf of
long
shot. "Being a Zionist is a chal-
its member organizations, which span
lenge,
but not so hard!' Arbel told
the political spectrum.
the
audience
with a smile. "I have a
The challenges Knoller and Arbel
big
apartment.
We don't have to fight
came to talk about concern the devel-
malaria
or
drain
swamps. We attract
opment of underserved areas and
cool
people,
do
good
work, and we
populations in Israel as well as provid-
have
the
best
parties
in the middle of
ing young Israelis with a way to apply
the
desert!'
the Zionist ethos of pioneering and
"What they are doing is very
nation-building to modern Israel.
exciting
and very interesting!' said
Arbel lived in an Ayalim Student
Jacqueline
Fox of Farmington Hills,
Village near Dimona for four years
who
attended
with her husband,
before going to work for the group.
Frank
Hoffman,
who was a member
Knoller moved to Dimona last
of
the
local
planning
committee.
year with his wife and young child.
"I
enjoyed
the
informality;
that
Known internationally for its nuclear
we
got
to
chit-chat
with
them
both
reactor, in Israel Dimona is known
before
and
after
they
spoke.
They
as a struggling backwater away from
were good listeners as well as good
the excitement, services and oppor-
speakers. We need more young peo-
tunities of the coastal cities and
ple to hear what they have to say." Li
Jerusalem.

Don Cohen

extraordinary
resource

Special to the Jewish News

T

•

•
•

Berkley High School rated
7th best in Michigan by Newsweek.
95% of the class of 2010 enrolled in college.
81 % acceptance rate to the University of
Michigan (53 Berkley Schools applicants:

4 9.9% national average acceptance rate in 2009)

.

•

•

Berkley School District offers 21 Advanced
Placement courses.
2010 BHS graduates accepted to: Case
Western, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins,
Miami, Mt. Holyoke, Northwestern, Penn,
Rutgers, University of Chicago, U.S.
Naval Academy, West Point, and
Yale - to name just a few.

BERKLEY
S C H 0 0 I. S

rt

ative Offices
14700 W Lincoln
Oak Park, Michigan 48237
248.837.8000
www.BerkleySchools.org

Acirn

1611400 .

5570Moneoe Street
www.vin rs.Com

36 mo. lease, 10,000 mi/yr. allowed with 250 over limit. $4143 total due at signing plus tax & fees. On approved credit.

151°

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September 9 • 2010

JN

17