later, is the heart of the intervention.
Participants travel overseas for a week-
long program, hosted by a local Jewish
community, that combines group
workshops with leisure activities. Six
weeks after the overseas trip, the group
reunites for a final follow-up day of
workshops. Additional treatment is
available for those still in need.
Beginning Sunday, April 29, Beth
Shalom will host 16 veterans, their com-
mander and two therapists for a week.
In addition to daily workshops, the
participants will enjoy social activities,
induding a visit to The Henry Ford, a
Detroit Tigers game, bowling and sight-
seeing around Detroit. They also will
meet with local young people at Hillel
of Metropolitan Detroit, Moishe House
residents and Frankel Jewish Academy
students. The former soldiers and
therapists will stay with volunteer host
families from the congregation.
The veterans also will learn about
American Jewish identity and how
important Israel — and their defense of
the Jewish homeland — is to American
Jews. They will join the congregation
for Shabbat dinner and luncheon at the
synagogue. On their last day, Sunday,
May 6, the group will participate in the
community's Walk for Israel in West
Bloomfield before they leave the Detroit
area.
Shim Shapiro leads the committee
that is coordinating the week's events.
"Disconnecting from the daily rou-
tine in Israel and receiving a warm wel-
come from the hosting community do
wonders to boost the therapeutic inter-
vention," said Zieva Konvisser, a Beth
Shalom congregant and member of the
ICTP international board. "Participants
say it helps them to open up. Enabling
the soldiers to share their experiences
and feelings helps prevent future mental
distress:'
The soldiers' week here is funded
by donations. "The generosity of the
Detroit Jewish community has been
heartwarming," said Beth Shalom
President Mandy Garver. "Everyone who
hears about the program wants to be
part of it in some way"
Further donations are needed. The
entire three-month program costs
$55,000. A gift of $36 will cover one
day of a veterans stay in Detroit.
Sponsorships and recognition are avail-
able with a donation of $252, the cost
for one veteran for the week in Detroit.
Checks can be made out to American
Friends of Herzog Hospital/ICTP and
mailed to Congregation Beth Shalom,
14601 W. Lincoln Road, Oak Park, MI,
48237.
For more information, call Beth
Shalom at (248) 547-7970. ❑
Veronica Fiegel is the public relations
intern at Congregation Beth Shalom.
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April 12 • 2012 15