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THE CENTER'S New* from the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, Inc. Is Israel in Your Teenager’s Future? According to the recent Atlanta Jewish Popula tion Study conducted by the Atlanta Jewish Feder ation, over 3,000 Jewish teenagers live in the Metro area. This figure should grow over the next decade due to the rapid growth of the Atlanta Jewish community specifically, and the general Metro Atlanta area over all. It is estimated that 20 percent of our Jewish teens will have visited Israel in their teen years; of course, the down side of this figure is that 80 percent will not visit as teens, and most of them will perhaps never visit. These statistics are dramatic and they raise the question: “Why not?” Some answers to the question are: Many fami lies cannot afford it”; “My teenager will not enjoy being so far away from all the comforts of his/her home”; “We’re concerned about safety”; “My son/- daughter is not mature enough”; etc. etc. etc. While there is perhaps some small grain of truth in these and other answers to the question (notwith standing that there are many families that truly cannot afford it), Israel and what it has to offer, more than makes up for any doubts and uncertain ties which parents (and teens) may have. I have been the leader of two extended trips (eight and nine weeks respectively) with teens to Israel and can vouch for the “miracles” that took place. A few of these teens (a total of 68) came back determined to make Aliyah; many of them vowed that they would return again and again; some of them “adopted” Israeli families; All of them came back with an enriched Jewish identity, an enhanced sense of self- worth, and a commitment, which I firmly believe is a lifetime commitment, to the state of Israel and the Jewish people. Atlanta offers many fine opportunities for teens to experience Israel. Included in these are: the High School in Israel” program offered by the Atlanta Bureau of Jewish Education, BBYO and Young Judaea programs, Synagogue and Temple Youth programs, and programs organized by the Ameri can Zionist Youth Foundation. The AJCC now offers two youth programs to Israel; Kesher, sponsored by the AJECOMCE committee, and the Yehud Exchange Program. Kesher was started during the summer of 1986 and provided a wonderful six weeks for our teens including extensive touring, camping and living for short periods with Israeli families. The outstanding leader appointed by the AJCC was a decided factor in the success of the Kesher program. The Yehud Exchange Program is unique, and has become a model for other communities to emu late. Last summer, after four successful years, the program did not take place, however, the summer of 1987 will be the fifth year of the exchange. Aside from touring Israel, the uniqueness of the exchange program lies in the fact that our teens live with Israeli families in Yehud (Yehud teens live with families in Atlanta), and thus really experience what it is like to live in Israel. They become a part of their “adopted” family’s life, doing what the family does and becoming a regular family member. Over 350 Atlantans and 350 from Yehud (Atlan ta’s sister city in Israel) have developed deep bonds of love and friendship through the Yehud Exchange Program. The Center is proud to offer Kesher and the Yehud Exchange program for our teens; we hope that you will consider these or any of the other fine programs for your teenager this summer. It’s an investment in the future of our Jewish community and an experience for which your son / daughter will be eternally grateful. * * * The AJCC Special Events Department and the Israel Program Center are pleased to present the 1986-1987 Jewish Film Series. The series will include: Nov. 2 — The Dybbuk (1970 version) Dec. 7 — Amos Oz’s, “My Michael” (In Hebrew with English subtitles) Jan. 4 — The Jazz Singer (original A1 Jolson 1928 film, refurbished) Jan. 8 — West of Hester Street (the settling of Jews in America) All films to be shown at the Peachtree Building at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door: $3 a person; students and seniors, $2. For information about a Film Club Plan at reduced rates call Chana or Itzhak, 875-7881. The Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta How come we^re so good at kosher catering? "Vtfe know how to observe the laws tastefully. If only it were enough to be Atlanta’s only hotel with a completely kosher kitchen! After all, ours is sanctioned by Orthodox rabbinic authority. And a mashgiach oversees every superb is so well, we can follow them faithfully and still prepare exciting dishes that will be the envy of all your friends. Our catering department at 659-1400, extension 2458, can tell you all about our kosher catering. They can also tell you about our excellent facilities for bar mitzvahs, bas mitzvahs, weddings, receptions, fund raisers —whatever. You could simply make your next event a kosher one. Then again, you could make it kosher and have it at The Vfcstin Peachtree Plaza. AGE 13 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE October 10, 1986