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Hours of Operation: Mon.-Thurs.: 11 am — 9:30pm Friday: 1 lam — 10pm Saturday: Noon — lOpm Sunday: Noon — 9pm at 12 Mile • Next to CVS Farmington Hills 1890560 10 % OFF TOTAL BILL (with ad only) through 2/20/14 SUSHI a Beer & Wine now vailable S Ph: 248-737-4408 ) Innat muclichicamilrai rnm • Catering and Carry-out Available • Gift Certificates Available Pontiac Trail 9 *SUSHI sl.,^^2210 1 Business Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am - 10:00pm Sunday 4:30 - 9:00pm Lone Pine (17 mile) *********************************************** 6646 TELEGRAPH AT MAPLE • BLOOMFIELD PLAZA • 248-932-0800 *********************************************** Log on to JNonline.us giveaways • forums • calendars Visit JNonline.us 36 January 23 • 2014 New ZOA group makes it fun to stand up for Israel. T Japanese Restaurant Fax: 248-737-5032 Teen Advocacy Stephanie Persin Erez Special to the Jewish News MUIR, 4143 Orchard Lake Road Orchard Lake, MI 48323 About 30 young people attended the inaugural event of ZOA's Teens 4 Israel. JN his winter break, 30 young Jewish Detroiters gathered for an eye-opening evening. Teens 4 Israel — the new youth division of the Zionist Organization of America's Michigan Region — hosted its first event on Dec. 22 titled "Anchorman 2: Israel in the Media:' High school students came together over pizza to learn about the ways Israel is falsely represented in the news and on camera; then the group took a bus to see Anchorman 2, a comedy about misrepresenting news. ZOA-MI Executive Director Kobi Erez gave an interactive, multimedia presentation showing the shocking ways news reporters falsify real stories about Israelis and Palestinians and distort the truth in photographs and videos. "We learned just how easy it is for a photojournalist to manipulate a photo:' said Sam Kole, a sophomore at Frankel Jewish Academy (FJA) in West Bloomfield. "The battle between Israel and its enemies is not exclusive to the battlefield; it extends to every personal computer across the globe:' Challenging negative attitudes toward Israel, particularly at American univer- sities, is a large part of ZOA's mission. The organization is always searching for ways to prepare teens to face anti-Israel sentiment on campus. When Isaac Wolfe, a junior at Akiva Hebrew Day School in Southfield, con- tacted ZOA about getting involved, both he and Erez saw an opportunity to cre- ate an effective and meaningful group. "I realized many of us have been to Israel and are motivated to make a dif- ference here in Michigan:' Wolfe said. "Kobi and I decided to start a group that would bring together Jewish teens from across the Jewish spectrum, some- thing that would teach Israel advocacy and would be educational and fun:' Teens 4 Israel, powered by ZOA, was created as a way to combat nega- tive perceptions of Israel. The group promotes Israel advocacy and Jewish awareness through innovative program- ing created by teens, for teens. "Our goal is to inspire young Jewish Detroiters to strengthen their connec- tion to Israel and their Jewish identi- ties," Erez said. "When teens not only participate in these programs, but also help plan and execute them, it really reinforces their commitment:' Jacob Edelson, a freshman at Groves High School in Beverly Hills, said, "Teens 4 Israel is so important because it brings together young Jews, the future leaders of our community, to support and learn how to advocate for Israel:' Stephanie Schulman, a senior at FJA, said, "At our first event, surrounded by fellow teens from public and private schools, from all levels of religiosity, I realized how critical it is to have a group like this:' After its first successful program, Teens 4 Israel is planning several more exciting ways to engage youth in Israel education, including such programs as "Krav Maga: Physical and Mental Empowerment:' "Paintball: IDF Style" and an upcoming Israel video PR contest. "The students are excited to have such a hands-on role in their Israel education," Erez said. "I have been extremely impressed with these young people, and I believe they can have a real impact on Israel advocacy in the future:' Erez's goal is to have student repre- sentatives from all schools in the area serve on a Teens 4 Israel leadership board. Students will choose topics that interest them and design programs for their peers. To get involved or for more informa- tion, visit the ZOA website: www.mizoa. org or contact Kobi Erez at (248) 661- 6000 or kobi@mizoa.org . ❑ Stephanie Persin Erez is a freelance writer based in Oak Park and the wife of ZOA-Ml Executive Director Kobi Erez.