THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 30, 1996 TAG: 9609300037
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LYNN WALTZ, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 68 lines
The dozens of children at Congregation Beth Chaverim were unusually quiet Sunday morning, as if they knew that this day of religious schooling was not like others.
As if they realized that this day was more somber, they sat still and listened as their rabbi, Dr. Israel Zoberman, spoke to them of ``shalom,'' a Hebrew word used as a greeting that literally means ``peace.''
Zoberman told the elementary-age children that they should pray for peace for Jews and Arabs and for the whole world. Because peace had been broken.
``Violence erupted in our beloved Israel that threatens war in the Middle East,'' Zoberman told the children. ``Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians have died. Hundreds were wounded. That makes us very sad.''
Zoberman told them he cares very deeply about what was happening and hopes ``shalom'' will not be lost.
``This time is dangerous,'' he said. ``Once you start with violence, no one knows where it might end.''
Zoberman said later he decided to have the service because ``kids sense what's going on. They know. They watch TV. They hear their parents talk.''
Joan Arnold, whose daughter Sharon Arnold, 10, read a poem Sunday, said she felt the service helped increase the children's awareness. ``They don't really understand,'' she said. ``This helps them realize they need to do something to help and make a difference.''
Zoberman said he wants to make the children aware that they don't live in isolation, especially during the many fall holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
``Our holiday celebrations connect us not just to the past but the present, and they have the power to shape a future that will hopefully be so different from the painful past,'' Zoberman told the children.
During the service, Zoberman asked the children to pray for peace. ``We ask them for the sake of the children. Give peace a chance. So much has already been sacrificed for peace,'' he said. ``Let's remember the tears that have been shed for so long by children just like yourselves, by parents and grandparents. Not one day passes without tears in our beloved Israel.
``The hearts of both Jews and Arabs will be touched. You children believe in a better tomorrow where many adults have lost hope. Where shalom will be shared by all God's children.'' ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC
THE PAINT BOX
During the service, local children read poems written by
Palestinian and Israeli children. The rabbi did not tell them which
was which, he said, because the children speak in one voice.
This poem was read by Melanie Kantor, 10, of Virginia Beach. It
was written by Tali Shurek, 13, of Be'er Sheva`, Israel.
I had a paint box
Each color glowing with delight;
I had a paint box with colors
Warm and cool and bright.
I had no reds for wounds and blood,
I had no black for an orphaned child,
I had no white for the face of the dead,
I had no yellow for burning sands.
I had orange for joy and life,
I had green for buds and blooms,
I had blue for clear bright skies,
I had pink for dreams and rest.
I sat down
and painted
Peace. by CNB