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NEW
MERCHANDISE
ARRIVING
DAILY
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Sam Madorsky and Andrea LaFontaine
STONE'S
the Western Wall.
On the final day of the trip, the
couples ascended Masada to hear the
story of Jewish resistance to oppres-
sion. After a dip in the Dead Sea, they
traveled back to Jerusalem to reflect
on the trip’s impact on them and their
relationship with Israel and the Jewish
community.
JEWELRY
6881 Orchard Lake Rd. on the Boardwalk
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Benefits of
Cryotherapy
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TAKEAWAYS
The participant couples unanimously
agreed the mission was an eye-open-
ing, deeply moving experience they
will never forget. Some of the most
significant takeaways:
• Among the Jewish participants, the
trip deepened their connection to
Judaism, Israel and their partner.
• The non-Jewish partners were able
to understand the Jewish people’s
strong historical, emotional and
spiritual connection to Israel while
forming their own relationship with
and respect for Israel and its people.
• The trip further committed non-
Jewish participants to ensuring their
children are exposed to Jewish his-
tory, religion and culture.
• Participants gained a clearer under-
standing of Israel and its relationship
with its neighbors by cutting through
the misinformation often presented
by the media. Several non-Jewish
participants expressed their inten-
tion to become advocates for Israel
in their respective faith, political,
business and social communities.
• The couples hope to deepen their
involvement with Federation and
encourage their families (includ-
ing children) to do the same. Group
participants — who work in politics,
law, medicine and business — are
committed to dedicating their time
and talent for the benefit of the
Jewish community and Israel.
• There is a need for Jewish organiza-
tions to provide programming and
resources for interfaith couples,
individuals and their families. A
new interfaith couples’ affinity group
forming through NEXTGen Detroit
is a step in the right direction.
The phenomenal success of the
Interfaith Mission and the profound
effect on both Jewish and non-Jewish
participants shows the importance and
significant potential of welcoming and
embracing interfaith couples and their
families.
Detroit’s Jewish community should
capitalize on this momentum and
increase its outreach efforts. While
alarmist views on intermarriage
abound, the reality is that intermar-
riage is nothing new (remember
Queen Esther?), and interfaith couples
and people should not be marginalized
or ignored. Rather, they should be wel-
comed as valued and respected com-
munity members. There is certainly
more than enough room under the big
Jewish tent for all of us.
*
Jonathan H. Schwartz of Plymouth is a business
litigation attorney. He serves on the NEXTGen
Detroit board and is the co-founder and vice pres-
ident of the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan.
248.862.2405
www.boostcryospa.com
6253 Orchard Lake Rd.
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Open 7 Days a Week
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA
12 July 21 • 2016
Mona Chapman and Glenn Greenfield