MERCAZ USA Newsletter — Summer 2001

From My Vantage Point/ Evelyn Seelig, President

For many of us living in the United States, reading about Israel at this time is extremely stressful. As in all other cases of "news" from around the world, those items being reported generally deal with thesensational, and here too, we are reading about the latest round of violence in the territories and the number of Israelis and Palestinians being killed or injured. But for those who have had the opportunity to travel to Israel during the last nine months, the situation one encounters is not the same. I have been in Israel twice since the breakdown of the Oslo Peace Process and never felt threatened nor in danger.

It is against this backdrop that I would like to share with you some comments from Rabbi Eric Cytryn, spiritual leader of Congregation Bnai Amoona of St. Louis, MO, and a member of the MERCAZ USA Board of Directors. Rabbi Cytryn is on a six-month sabbatical from his pulpit and is using the time to study at the Conservative Yeshiva and the Schechter Institute. He writes: "So far, this Sabbatical has been phenomenal. Israel, through all the pains of the failed peace process and the descent into patterned violence, is a wonderful place to be. The 'terrorism and response' which is visible on the international and local news is part of the daily routine, which means that Israelis have gotten used to it and internalized certain existential issues which help us all to sit in cafes, take buses, shop, and generally live life to its fullest. It is sad, scary, demoralizing and depressing when terrorist attacks occur. But we recover relatively quickly, internalize, mourn, and get on with life."

"I'll answer the critical questions many have posed to us. Do Amy and I feel secure and safe living here? Yes. Is our daughter here on the Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim Program and having the time of her life? Yes. Do we feel that her safety is in question? Honestly, we believe that she's safer here than she is going to public High School and driving our car around St. Louis. Do we feel daily danger from the terror attacks? No. Do we feel our lives are at risk, any more than we might feel at risk in America? No."

He continues: "So, Eric, do you find time to relax and enjoy, in addition to 15 hours of classes? Yes! Amy and I have reconnected with old friends, made new friends, and had a very wonderful time together. Walking all over Jerusalem has been fun, and healthy, too! The only thing we really miss is seeing y'all. There are very few tourists, and sadly we hear of no more 'Conservative Movement Solidarity Missions' heading our way. Very few tour buses are visible; hotels, restaurants and Judaica stores are hungry for business."

I sincerely hope that many of you have planned or are planning a trip to Israel very soon with your families. If you are looking for a trip, why not consult the list of Israel Trips appearing elsewhere in this newsletter.

We have all had enough bad "news" in the past few months to last us for a long while. I sincerely hope that this summer will be filled with peace and quiet and a chance for all of us to refresh and renew ourselves.

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