Tel Aviv, July 27--Sixty-seven influential Jewish-American community leaders traveled to Israel on a solidarity mission this week.  Over the course of the trip, the group met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and regional experts to discuss Israel's current two-front conflict.  The mission traveled through affected northern communities taking time to meet with partnership region leadership and displaced families living in bomb shelters.  Mission chairperson, Jane Sherman spoke with Detroit Jewish News contributor, Jerrin Zumberg to answer questions about the latest developments in Israel and the future.  

Q:  Now that the solidarity mission is over, what do think the overall sentiment was during the trip?

A: We are amazed at the Israeli community here and the fact that they just want life to go on as normal.  There is no doubt that in the Israelis' mind they know they have 100% of the American Jewish community behind them. The feeling on the bus and among the mission leaders was we have got to raise millions of dollars to take care of people in the shelters.  There was optimistic pessimism. 

Q: Were you afraid at all to come to Israel and travel up north? 

A:  Are you kidding?  No.  Personally I am not afraid at all.   American Jews are100% behind what is going on.  We know we are on the right side this time, unlike '82, and doing the right thing to save lives.  The fact that our soldiers have gone in trying to save Lebanese civilians at their own expense was proved this week.  We are trying to save as many lives as possible.. 

Q:  Why do you think Diaspora Jews should care about this war?  

A:  Because Israel is important to Jews around the world.  I believe so goes Israel, so goes the Jewish community.

Q:  How do you explain your position to people back home that may be critical of Israel's latest war?

A:  I live in Detroit, Detroit is on the border of Canada.  If there were 5000 kaytusha rockets coming from across the border, what do you think the USA would do?

Q:  Can you describe what you saw up north and how people are coping with the violence?

A:  Many of the children are in shelters as far as Nazareth.  In Haifa the streets are empty except for a few open stores and a vegetable seller, an Arab guy we met who has to throw out all his vegetables everyday.  Everybody is staying inside and many absorption centers have been evacuated.  It is very disconcerting.  Though the morale is fabulous, because the people know we are right to stop Hizbullah.  But it can't go on like this   

Q:  What message do you now have that you would like to pass on to partnership 2000 cities in America?

A:  I think the most important thing is for people that are linked to the partnership 2000 cities, is to get active and get over here.  The most important thing is to come over here and show their solidarity.  If not, then raise money for the collective and show a true partnership.   

Q: Do you see an end to this violence? 

A:  If we can get rid of Hizbullah.  It's a long hard process, I trust no one, not international forces.  I am a perpetual optimist.  I thought there would be peace 6 months ago.  You can't kill an ideology, you can kill Hizbullah.  I am very concerned.