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Tightening The Bond

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Interfaith Mission participants: Jonathan Schwartz, Stacy Trosell Schwartz, Sherri Gerber-Somers, David Somers, Rachel Robinson, Michael Rosen, Carol Friedman, Mona Chapman,
Anna Morris, Glenn Greenfield, Barry Friedman, Naomi Miller-Rockowitz, Steven Lin, Laura Segal, Kelli Saperstein Anderson, Kyle Anderson, Andrea LaFontaine and Sam Madorsky

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rom June 26-July 3, a diverse set of
in a “shark-tank” format. Kelli Saperstein
couples traveled through Israel as part Anderson pitched the Interfaith Mission
of the community’s first interfaith
concept, which was selected as a winner.
couples mission to Israel, which was spon-
From the beginning, the trip earned
sored by the Jewish Federation
the enthusiastic support of the
of Metropolitan Detroit’s Nora &
Barrons and other community
Guy Barron Mission Lab.
leaders, including Federation CEO
During this unforgettable
Scott Kaufman, Chief Development
trip of a lifetime, participants
Officer Miryam Rosenzweig, and
formed bonds with each other
Israel and Overseas Department
and with Israelis, engaged in fun
Director Jennifer Levine.
and meaningful experiences and
Saperstein Anderson and her
gained firsthand exposure to
husband, Kyle Anderson, along
important Federation-supported Jonathan H.
with me and my wife, Stacy Trosell
programs. Importantly, the trip Schwartz
Schwartz, were named mission
Special to the
deepened the Jewish partici-
co-chairs. With significant plan-
Jewish News
pants’ connection to Judaism
ning, the Mission Lab staff and
and Israel, helped non-Jewish
co-chairs developed a trip itinerary
partners develop their own affinity toward to immerse participants in Israeli history,
the country and its people, created a moti- culture and religion and to take part in
vated and unique group of advocates for
impactful, memorable activities.
Israel and encouraged couples to take an
Participating couples covered the spec-
active role in Detroit’s Jewish community.
trum of age, marital status, country of
The Interfaith Mission should serve as a origin, political affiliation, religion and
model in Detroit, across the country and
race. They included Barry and Carol
beyond for creating a “bigger tent” Jewish
Friedman, Glenn Greenfield and Mona
community that welcomes, encourages the Chapman, Steven Lin and Laura Segal,
participation of, and provides program-
Sam Madorsky and Andrea LaFontaine,
ming and resources for interfaith couples
Michael Rosen and Anna Morris, and
and their families.
David Somers and Sherri Gerber-Somers.
The trip was heavily subsidized by the
MISSION PLANNING
Mission Lab. A reunion is being planned
In 2015, philanthropists Nora and Guy
for early August.
Barron generously established Federation’s
Federation’s Israel-based Director of
Mission Lab, a community think-tank
Missions Naomi Miller-Rockowitz and
with the goal of formulating and launch-
Associate Director of Special Projects
ing innovative trips to Israel. Ideas are
Rachel Robinson as well as Israeli-based
pitched and compete against each other
Rabbi Peretz Rodman facilitated the trip-

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
Some highlights in Tel Aviv included
learning to surf with HaGal Sheli, a
Federation-supported program that pro-
vides at-risk youth with personal develop-
ment and advancement via surfing. In the
evening, the couples joined with Detroiters
Brian Blondy and Hannah Farkas, who
made aliyah, and their spouses for dinner
at the Sarona Market. Despite a deadly ter-
rorist attack at the market on June 8, the
participants agreed not to cancel the activ-
ity in a show of solidarity.
On day three, the group departed for
Northern Israel to visit the Central Galilee
Partnership2Gether Region (composed
of Migdal HaEmek, Nazareth Illit and the
Jezreel Valley, which have partnered with
Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand
Rapids since 1994). There, the couples
visited Nazareth and the beautiful Church
of the Annunciation before traveling to
the Federation-supported Kfar Tikvah, an
inspiring and creative center for adults
with disabilities. Lunch followed at the
nearby Tulip Winery, which employs many
Kfar Tikvah residents. The couples later
took part in an electric bike ride in the
Jezreel Valley and a kibbutz tour.
The group also met with teen partici-
pants of the Israeli Camper Program who
shared the impact of their time at Camp
Tamarack in Ortonville, their apprecia-
tion for the Detroit Jewish community
and their plans for the future, including
military service. The couples then split up
for a wonderful dinner hosted by the teens
and their families in their homes.

On day four, the group gained a deeper
understanding of Israel’s political system
and current events through a discussion
led by prominent former AP journalist
Matti Friedman. He explained Israeli’s
difficult security situation, living in a
dangerous neighborhood, and his insider
perspective on the media’s unfair fixation
on Israel. Afterward, Israeli Col. (ret.) Ron
Schatzberg led a security tour of Israel’s
borders, explained the necessity of Israel’s
self-defense measures and discussed ongo-
ing efforts to achieve peace.
The couples later toured the Old City,
focusing on Jerusalem as the center for
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with
stops at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
and the Stations of the Cross, lunch in the
Muslim Quarter and time for reflection at

Stacy Trosell Schwartz and Jonathan
Schwartz

continued on page 12

10 July 21 • 2016