For area teens, summertime in Israel becomes a lesson in crisis management

by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

Several Monmouth County teens were in Israel at the start of the recent hostilities, but all were kept safe and relocated to other parts of the country when the violence began in the northern region.

Abraham Stanway, 16, son of Rabbi Cy and Stella Stanway of Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon, was part of a North American Federation of Temple Youth travel group that arrived in Israel on July 8. The Stanway family, of Ocean Township, was able to keep in touch with their son through NFTY, and Abraham was also able to phone his family on several occasions.

Stanway said the NFTY group, which included 550 other young adults from the United States and Canada, landed in Haifa before the violence erupted. When the troubles began, however, the group was immediately moved to other parts of the country, including Arad and other places in the Negev.

“Of course we were worried about his safety, but we trusted NFTY and their experience and leadership,” Stanway said. “All the kids were well protected, and Abraham telephoned us several times to let us know he was okay. That meant a great deal to us.”

During their journey, which ended on Aug. 6, the travel group participants met with Israeli army personnel, political leaders, and scholars, Stanway said, adding that they also had intense discussions with Israeli teens about the current political situation.

“When he got back home, our son was an expert in geopolitics and terrorism and what Israelis go through day after day,” said Stanway. “I’m glad he’s mature enough to understand all this.”

But Stanway said his son, who will enter the 11th grade at Ocean Township High School in September, had a lot to process upon his return.

“My wife and I are astute observers of the Israeli situation, and we will help him process his feelings,” Stanway said. “This experience will stay with him for the rest of his life, and he has gained an understanding of the world that goes way beyond what any class or coursework could provide.”

Jeremy Gross, 17, son of Deborah and Eric Gross of Freehold, arrived in Israel on June 26 through the Young Judaea Machon program. He and 900 other group members, 450 of whom are from the United States, were in Haifa when the first rockets struck the city, and the trip was immediately rerouted and moved from the northern areas, Deborah Gross said.

“He was always perfectly safe, and we have nothing but good things to say about his trip,” she said. “But we were relieved when he returned home on Aug. 1. It was nice to have him home.”

The Grosses said Young Judaea sent a constant stream of e-mail messages to the parents of the youngsters on the trip. They also spoke to their son via cell phone on a regular basis.

“He called whenever something was happening, just to let us know he was safe and okay,” Deborah Gross said. “He told us he knew we would want to hear his voice.”

After leaving the north of Israel, Jeremy and the Young Judaea group traveled to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the Negev, among other destinations. Although they were not in harm’s way, they were well aware of the political situation. They were exposed to Israeli newspaper and television reports on a daily basis, his mother said.

And Jeremy plans to return to Israel after he completes his senior year at Freehold Borough High School, she added.

“It’s important to support Israel financially and emotionally,” she said. “Jeremy wants to find a college program that will allow him to spend his freshman year in Israel. We totally support his enthusiasm.”

Tara Perchuk, 16, of Manalapan, was in Israel from June 25 to July 23 on a tour with the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. Although her journey began in the Haifa region, she was in the southern part of the country when hostilities broke out in the north, said her parents, Linda and David Perchuk.

Ironically, the Perchuks were also in Israel from July 8 to July 19 and were able to cross paths with their daughter, who will be a senior at Manalapan High School this fall, in Jerusalem.

“She said she felt safe and told us she wasn’t worried and that we shouldn’t worry either,” Linda Perchuk said. “I’ve always felt that bringing kids to Israel is a good idea; this is my third trip and my first was when I was 18 years old. We’re glad Tara had a chance to go there and develop a love for Israel. She already told us she wants to make a return trip.”