A group of 6 Israeli teens from the town of Beit Shemesh and the rural area of Mateh Yehuda will arrive on January 30 to Washington. Their mission is to talk about what it is like being a teen today in Israel. They will each speak about themselves and their families, growing up and attending high school, their community and what makes it special, and how they have been influenced by the current situation - their fears, their hopes, their feelings before entering the army and their daily lives in Israel.

The Israelis will make presentations at a variety of settings. A primary target is the high schools of the area so that American teens, both Jewish and non-Jewish, can begin to understand the reality of life for an Israeli teen. The Israelis will speak at Yorktown High School, Hilton High School, Jeb Stuart High School, Montgomery Blair High School, Madison High School, JDS High School, and the Hebrew Academy.

Another target is the afternoon schools of the local synagogues. Opening their doors to the visit are Temple Emanuel, Shaare Torah, Beth Emeth, Temple Sinai, Shaare Tefila, Beth El, Or Kodesh, and Tifereth Israel. The teens will also be meeting with senior citizens in the JCCGW, meeting Washington area teens in a social setting, and attending parlor meetings of NOVA, and a reception organized by the Washington Jewish Federation.

The teens were selected for their English speaking ability, their ability to express themselves, their knowledge of Israel, their activism, and their personalities. The interests and backgrounds of the teens reflect the region from which they come. Albert Grinshpun, a 12th grader, is an oleh from Moldova who came to Israel in 1992, volunteers in Magen David Adom, and helped establish the Betar youth group in Beit Shemesh. Yael Katorza, 12th grade, is the vice president of her high school student council and editor of the school newspaper. Talia Sofer, 11th grade, is a singer in the school choir and a dancer as well. She participated in the Ambassadors For Tolerence program in 2001. Ganit Pinto, 11th grade, came to Washington in the AFT program and volunteers in a special needs day care center. She plays guitar, composes music, and writes plays. Mor Issac, 10th grade, is from Kibbutz Tzora, is a counselor in the Hanoar Haoved V'Lomade youth group, and performs in a representative dance group. Tania Schlesinger, 11th grade, was born in the United States and now lives in Beit Shemesh. She goes to the local religious high school, is active in the Zionist Youth Council and participated last year in the AFT program.

All of the teens passed an intensive program to prepare them to speak knowledgeably in public, be proper guests with families, and engage individuals and groups. While many Americans worry about visiting Israel today, a number of the Israeli parents raised similar issues regarding the safety of their children in Washington. Were there Palestinians in the public high schools? Could there be attacks on the Israeli teens in the high schools? Who would defend them if such an attack took place? Would there be demonstrations against the prescence of Israelis at the schools? What would happen if the demonstrations turned violent? Despite the questions and concerns of their parents, the Israeli teens were excited about their visits and bringing their view of life and the "matzav" to the Washington Jewish community.

Adar Aleph 5763 - February 2003