DETROIT JEWISH NEWS theJEWISHNEWS.com DETROIT JEWISH NEWS frontlines >> letters theJEWISHNEWS.com Arthur M. Horwitz F. Kevin Browett Publisher / Executive Editor ahorwitz®renmedia.us Chief Operating Officer Jackie Headapohl Managing Editor Sales Director kbrowett@renmedia.us Keith Farber kfarber@renmedia.us jheadapohl©renmedia.us Account Executives Keri Guten Cohen Story Development Editor Ann G. Abrams Jan Haskell Melissa Litvin Heidi Martin Rick Nessel kcohen@renmedia.us Gail Zimmerman Arts Editor gzimmerman@renmedia.us Senior Sales Assistant Kim Metzger Deborah Schultz Corporate Creative Director dschultz@renmedia.us BUSINESS OFFICES Customer Service Asst. EDITORIAL Senior Copy Editor Billing Coordinator Jan Shain Pamela Turner David Sachs "The Detroit Group": Frank Steinkruger, Richard Monash, Bernie Friedman, Ron Michaelson, Denise Andreski and James Andreski. dsachs©renmedia.us Sy Manello smanello@renmedia.us Senior Columnist Danny Raskin dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net Contributing Editor Robert Sklar rsklar@renmedia.us Contributing Writers Bill Carroll Suzanne Chessler Annabel Cohen Don Cohen Shelli Liebman Dorfman sdorfman©thejewishnews.com Ronelle Grier Esther Allweiss Ingber Harry Kirsbaum Lynne Konstantin Rabbi Jason Miller Allan Nahajewski Robin Schwartz Steve Stein moi l) sports@thejewishnews.com Managing Editor Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl©renmedia.us Contributing Editors Gail Zimmerman gzimmerman@renmedia.us Ken Guten Cohen kcohen@renmedia.us Pr n ed Ire Michigan 6 December 6 • 2012 Hazel Bender Production By FARAGO & ASSOCIATES Editorial Assistant RED Collections Analyst JN Detroit Volunteers Aid Israel Army On Oct. 14, five Detroiters and a friend from South Carolina ("the Detroit Group") participated in the Volunteers for Israel (Sar-El Program). The Detroit Group was designated to Bach Golani, the main training base for the famous Golani Infantry Brigade, the most highly decorated unit in the Israel Defense Forces. Uniforms were issued and separate barracks assigned to the men and women. Left behind were the luxuries of private showers, sinks and beds — this is the army. The days went fast. We rose around 6 a.m., although some got up much earlier to exercise, pray or drink coffee, a neces- sary commodity for Americans. Work commenced at 8:30 a.m. We broke for lunch from noon-1 p.m. and were back to work until 4:30. Half of our volunteers worked in the base armory cleaning/repairing equip- ment. The other half worked in a ware- house sorting, checking and packing tents, gas masks, tent stakes, clothing, ponchos and other supplies. The volun- teers performed jobs and accomplished tasks that would otherwise have been done by soldiers or Israeli civilians. We quickly came to appreciate the need for our efforts and the contribution we made to the country and its defense. It was most fulfilling. Although we worked hard and fast, we maintained a sense of humor, learned new skills and had fun — even losing a few pounds! In the evening, our madrichim (guides) had programs planned for us. We learned about the IDF, its uniforms, ranks and insignias. We heard from a Golani platoon lead- er, who answered our questions about his duties as well as life as a contempo- rary Israeli youth. Our group bonded with the land, the troops and each other. After our five days on the base, we left with a sense of accomplishment, respect for the soldiers and the army in which they serve, and a prayer in our hearts for their safety and well-being. "Volunteers for Israel-USA is associ- ated with Sar-El, a nonprofit organiza- tion in Israel, which administers the program in Israel. Volunteers typically spend two or three weeks living and working along- side Israelis at an army base or at Israeli Defense Forces warehouses. The pro- gram offers a way to contribute to the State of Israel in a very direct way. Contact Ed Kohl for information at (248) 420-3729 or michgan@vfi-usa. org; or Paul Matlin at (248) 557-0004 or prm371@yahoo.com. Visit the VFI-USA website, www.vfi-usa.org. Manager Scott Drzewiecki Designers Amy Pollard Pam Sherevan Michelle Sheridan Susan Walker PUBLISHED BY: RENAISSANCE OYCVEDIA Chairman Michael H Steinhardt President Arthur M. Horwitz ahorwitz@renmedia.us Chief Operating Officer F. Kevin Browett kbrowett@renmedia.us Controller Craig R. Phipps Corporate Creative Director Deborah Schultz dschultzrenmedia.us Signed, "The Detroit Group" FULFILLMENT Update from Ed Kohl of Volunteers for Israel: During the recent Pillar of Defense operations, and demonstrating their com- mitment, no volunteers departed early — and many extended their stay. Additional volunteers are needed for programs starting Dec. 16, Dec. 23, Jan. 6 and Jan. 27, for one or more weeks. Correction The JN Gift Guide article "Give A Little" (Nov. 15, page 40) featured a John Hardy sterling-silver men's bracelet; and the Red Thread article "Thrill Them To Pieces" featured a set of Gurhan bangles (Nov. 29, page 48). Both items are available at Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, West Bloomfield (248-932- 7700); Twelve Oaks Mall, Novi (248- 465-1800); and Somerset Collection, Troy (248-649-2000); tappers.com . circulationdesk@thejewishnews.com Customer Service Manager: Zena Davis DEPARTMENTS General Offices: 248-354-6060 Advertising: 248-351-5107 Advertising Fax: 248-304-0049 Circulation: 248-351-5174 Advertising Deadline: Monday, 2 p.m. Editorial Fax: 248-304-8885 Deadline: All public and social announcements must be typewritten and received by noon Tuesday, nine days prior to desired date of publication. 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