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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/20131/full/20131/teen-trips-to-israel-are-vital/ <br /><br /> <b>Teen trips to Israel are vital</b> <br /> Friday, June 20, 2003 | by <br /><br /><p>For years, Bay Area federations have sent more teens to Israel each summer than other communities throughout the country. Jewish leaders here felt it was important to expose as many young people as possible to their Jewish roots in the hope of keeping them committed to Judaism in the future.<br /><br /> But because of the intifada the number of teens making that journey has sharply dropped from here and elsewhere.<br /><br /> Nevertheless, we should be proud that 13 local teenagers are planning to go on a trip next week that was put together by the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay.<br /><br /> The federation has managed to design a visit that avoids the more dangerous cities where terrorists have repeatedly struck. Unfortunately, that means the group won't see Tel Aviv or even Jerusalem.<br /><br /> It's a pity local youth won't be able to touch the Wall, venture through the Old City and shop on Ben-Yehudah. Those are experiences any Israeli visitor treasures for years.<br /><br /> But at the same time it is far better that these teenagers are exposed to Israel, its people and its countryside rather than stay at home. Hopefully they will want to return and see all the sites that are off-limits to them this year.<br /><br /> But what about all the other teens this year and in the past couple years who avoided the important confirmation trip because of Mideast terrorism?<br /><br /> It is critical they make a visit as soon as tensions calm down. Our community and synagogues should keep track of those who didn't go on the teen trips and urge that they go to Israel during their college years.<br /><br /> The Birthright for Israel program offers free trips to college students who have never been to Israel.<br /><br /> We can't expect the next generation of American Jews to continue to support Israel unless they experience it. There is no better way to forge that connection than a trip there during everyone's formative years.<br /><br /> In the meantime, let's hope that by next summer the terrorism stops and more local teens are able to make that all-important confirmation trip.</p> <p> </p>

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