Why We Walk
Israel
UnBELIZEable Trip
Alternative Spring Break takes
seniors to do mitzvah work in Belize.
'4
•
ay.
"We walk together as a family to show our love and support
for Israel. We teach our children the importance of a
Jewish identity and that Israel represents redemption,
hope...and a future full of promise."
Amy & Andre Douville
"We walk for Israel to show our solidarity with the people
of Israel and our fellow Jews all over the world.
For us, the Miracle Mission was an amazing trip by
our most amazing community!"
Marta & Ben Rosenthal
For more information & to register,
please visit www.walkforisrael.org
1833810
42
May 2 • 2013
‘A,L Ir"
Brianna Dines of West Bloomfield, Zoe Yedwab of Commerce Township, Nicole
Goodman of Orchard Lake and Hannah Fine of West Bloomfield getting ready
to work in Belize
Hannah Fine and Evan Arbit
Teen2Teen Staff Writers
hat happens when 18 high
school seniors take an
adventure-driven, Central
American spring break trip? In my
experience, an unBELIZEable amount!
Choosing an alternative spring break
trip was the difference between having
an experience that I won't be able to
remember and one that I won't forget.
This one is an annual trip sponsored by
Temple Israel in West Bloomfield for its
teens and BBYO members.
From the moment we landed in Belize,
a Central American nation just south of
Mexico, we were intrigued by the culture
and jealous of their accents. Our curiosity
was furthered by an eye-opening drive
to the resort. The van was silent as we all
stared at the small, dilapidated homes
whizzing by. So this is what a Third
World country looks like.
The next day, we headed to the local
school ready to get our hands dirty. We
spent a couple of days here beautifying
the grounds and buildings. The jobs
included everything from picking up
litter ("litta" in Creole), to painting, to
making a mosaic, to shoveling 1,000
pounds of sand. While working, local
children would stop by, and we had a
great time playing with them.
The most amazing thing about the
service we performed was the fun we
had while doing it. You see, bonds that
form through heat, sweat and sunscreen
make for some incredible friendships.
Zip-lining through the jungle, snor-
keling with stingrays, hiking through
natural caverns and ancient Mayan
ruins, playing with monkeys, lying by
the pool, playing soccer with the local
kids, leading Shabbat services with
Calypso music in the background, and
so much more. This was truly a once-in-
a-lifetime experience.
Though in Belize for only a week,
we discussed the idea of transitions
throughout the trip. We spoke about our
thoughts on growing up and going off
to college, all while changing into new
and different people. It's scary to start
over, move on and become an adult, but
we feel as though in Belize all of those
fears went away. We were open with
each other, and the setting was so com-
fortable that it made us feel as though
we could share anything with these new
people in our lives.
With our amazing trip leaders, Rabbi
Jennifer Lader of Temple Israel, Daniel
Lader and Lindsey Klukas, program direc-
tor for BBYO Michigan, we were guided
with tools to help us for our futures.
Before we knew it, our week packed full
of exploration and service was coming to
an end. We knew, however, that although
the week was coming to a close, our eyes
had forever been opened.
The run-down homes from the first
day were no longer shocking, rather a
reminder of the unnecessary luxuries to
which we are accustomed. Kids walking
on the side of the road did not mean they
were alone; it meant they were safe in the
comfort of their village.
A group of 18 high school seniors did
not go on a spring break trip; we had an
unBELIZEable spring break experience.
❑
Hannah Fine and Evan Arbit are both 17
and from West Bloomfield.