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SPECIALTY TRIPS
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THESIS RESEARCH IN ISRAEL |
January 30, 2017
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I am so grateful to CJP for helping me get to Israel for thesis research! I visited the Central Zionist Archive and the Ben Zvi Institute in Jerusalem, both of which contain troves of documents related to Jewish migration from Yemen to Israel. My thesis at Brown University explores relations between the American, Israeli, and Yemeni Jewish communities during Operation On Eagles’ Wings, the joint project to airlift tens of thousands of Jewish refugees to the fledgling Jewish state between 1949 and 1950. This trip helped me access Yemeni Jewish voices that are underrepresented in the historiography of this period and that are hard to find in the United States. In the Central Zionist Archive and at the Ben Zvi Institute, I found letters, advertisements, memoirs, and other key documents that I will study over the course of the coming semester to gain a more thorough understanding of this complex historical moment. Beyond that, however, I learned so much just by being in Israel. For example, I was able to find books, from a collection of Shalom Shabazi poetry to the memoir of a Jewish Agency emissary to Yemen, that I had tried and failed to access in the United States. Even the street signs weave a narrative of Jewish and Israeli history. This trip helped me gain a new appreciation for Israel as a keeper of Jewish history and as a site for the coming together of the global Jewish community, and it also gave me invaluable resources to deepen my understanding of the Yemeni Jewish refugee experience for my thesis and for future research. |
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Benjamin Gladstone, Brown University '18, is conducting research on relations between the Israeli, American, and Yemeni Jewish communities. He is a co-founder of SIACH International and a contributor to various Jewish publications.
THE GOLAN HEIGHTS
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January 18, 2017
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I recently visited the Golan Heights. When I arrived at the peak of Mount Bental, I was astounded by the surrounding area’s beauty. Looking down the mountain towards Israel sat Kibbutz Merom Golan, the first Israeli settlement in the Golan after the Six Days War. Looking out towards the west was the Syrian border, which blended almost seamlessly into Israel. The border was being closely monitored by the United Nations Disinterment Observer Force, whose two watchmen were incredibly friendly to the tourists wanting to talk with them. It is hard to imagine that for the first 19 years of Israeli independence, Syria had control over the strategic Golan Heights. Syria would shoot rockets and mortar shells at nearby Israeli communities and due to the advantageous altitude, put these communities at constant threat. Israeli children in the area gained the name “Bunker Children” because they were forced to sleep in protective shelters every night. In June of 1967, Syria joined Egypt in an attempt to destroy their Jewish neighbors. Israel not only survived this, but won over the small but important area of the Golan Heights, creating quieter nights for the Israeli children. Now, in present day, it was surreal to stand there, looking out towards one of the most unstable, conflict saturated countries in the world, and yet feel incredibly calm. My friend’s coworker met us at Mount Bental and shared with us information on the area. She told us that some days you are able to see the modern conflict in Syria, smoke rising from a nearby town or even debris landing on the Israeli side. Her daughter attends the regional school located in Kibbutz Merom Golan and said that sometimes loud bombing can be heard during the school day; her daughter later told us the sound no longer bothers her. The people who live in the area are not afraid, “they’re not trying to hit us”, the coworker assured us many times. The Golan Heights act as natural protection. She also explained that the Druze who live in the Golan on the Israeli side are permitted to go across the border visit family, and that refugees are brought across into Israel for medical treatment, staying as long as needed for proper care. Down the mountain and close to the border sits an old Syrian government and intelligence building. People are free to roam the large building’s 4 floors and roof. The windows are all gone, in some rooms walls are half destroyed and riddled with bullet holes in others. Graffiti transports life back into the building through political messages and works of art, with new pieces always appearing. It felt almost impossible to wrap my head around the fact that I was walking around a building that stands in what used to be Syria, what was a war zone, and what is now on land so important to the protection of Israel. Although the border felt peaceful at the time, I was reminded how uncertain the future of both Syria and Israel is. I am so thankful that my friend’s coworker brought us to this place were Birthright trips don’t go, but where curious young adults can visit the next time they are in Israel. With my curiosity peaked about the Middle East and its complex relationship with Israel, I go forward now inspired to educate myself and others on the topics. |
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Maggie Kuck, Worcester Polytechnic Institute '19, participated on Birthright and is interning this summer with Carmel Olefins as a Boston Onward Israel Haifa 2017 participant.
EMPOWERMENT BY AIPAC |
March 30, 2017
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I started the morning feeling empowered hearing Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech. Although I am only one person, I felt that I was making a difference in this world, and that myself being there was building a stronger bond between Israel and the U.S. I then went to a breakout session on Women and the Struggle for Human Rights, which I thought to be very interesting, because I am plan on being a human rights lawyer, and I also took a class last semester about women and gender studies, which gave me a lot of insight into this breakout session.
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Afterward, we went to the campus delegate meeting at the Verizon Center. It was fascinating to see how many campus delegates were there, and just knowing that we are the future generation, and that it is up to us to continue to build strong bonds between Israel and the U.S. I also found the South African speaker fascinating. She spoke about the South African Apartheid, and how it is discredits that horrible time in history when people accuse Israel of anything similar. I go to an extremely liberal school, and I hear that quite often on campus. I am not a confrontational person, and do not like to get into heated debates, but now I know how to respond to those people in an effective way, that will hopefully make them reflect about the false statements they are making. Between the campus delegate meeting and the general session, I explored D.C. with my cousin and friends, which was really neat. At the general session in the evening, the speakers again were captivating. My favorite speaker of the whole conference, other than Yannick, was Nikki Haley. She was incredible - I get the chills just thinking about her speech. It is incredible the way that she is challenging the United Nations, and how she says they should not support a country who in return, will not follow the guidelines set by the UN. After she spoke, I leaned over to my friend and told her that Nikki Haley should be our president. |
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Later that night, I went to dinner with family friends, and it was crazy because they were all saying Nikki Haley should be president. I think I probably heard that about one thousand times after the general session ended, and I hope that one day we see her on the ballot.
Macy Golman, Clark University '17, attended the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC.
INNOVATIVE ISRAELI COMMUNITIES |
January 13, 2017
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I really loved visiting Aleh Negev, and was incredibly impressed by their state of the art facilities and caring, compassionate staff and programming. Aleh Negev is a beautiful, open community where both adults and children with special needs are able to reside and experience the highest quality of life. We toured the community and had the opportunity to see their swimming pool, music garden, petting zoo and advanced technology, providing nonverbal residents an alternative form of communication. |
What stood out the most to me, though, is the great care and compassion displayed by the staff and volunteers, and the trust and appreciation displayed by the residents. It's clear that the residents at Aleh Negev genuinely feel safe and cared for. I think the US would greatly benefit from exposure to this approach towards people with special needs; I know I was extremely inspired by it.
Rachel Krause, Brandeis University '17, participated on the Jewish National Fund Alternative Winter Break program.
LEARNING AT THE TECHNION |
August 6, 2016
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Israel! After much practice of the Hebrew language and participation in Jewish immersion programs, I finally got to see much of what I had imagined for so long! Thanks to the stipend from the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, I am studying at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology for the summer in medicine and entrepreneurship. I am learning much about the classes and engaging with the “start-up” aspect of the nation, as I get to culminate my projects in the classes with a pitch for a startup idea. I got the time to appreciate the visual beauty; pristine beaches, bustling markets, and amazing food (hummus is an addiction for me). I also am able to practice and refine my Hebrew in about every interaction I have with the locals. People told me before my trip that I would have a difficult time navigating Israel because it would be too dangerous, but I did not feel uncomfortable at any time. The Technion program has many social events and short trips that were very worthwhile, like the Dead Sea and the Golan Heights; they were very helpful getting me settled in.
I hope to come back to this country again. I do feel inclined to continue with my studies regarding the Jewish culture; I never knew before how dynamic and crucial it is for Judaism to thrive. At my college, I hope to promote Judaic Studies, because there is a very low demographic doing so there. I am not Jewish; I am a son of Caribbean immigrants. However, I do recommend this destination for anybody wanting to see a place that has many levels of complexity. Thank you, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. |
Trent Shillingford, Dartmouth College '19, interned at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. A co-founder a campus chapter of TAMID - Israel Investment Group, he is interested in science and sociology.
VISITING JERUSALEM |
March 17, 2016
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This past spring break I attended a volunteer trip through Volunteers Through Israel that specifically volunteered at an IDF base. I was raised in a Christian household and was not taught about any other religions in depth during my childhood. My mom was very nervous about me going on this trip and I was equally nervous to tell her about it. With my safety and well being in mind, I knew she would assume it would have been too dangerous and wouldn’t want me to go.
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Taking the opportunity to travel to Israel was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only did I learn first hand about the Jewish and Israeli culture and people, but I personally experienced the palpable spirit and pride everyone had. It was amazing to give back through the IDF during the volunteer days. It was so fulfilling to help a country who is in great need and to see the impact we made on the base and the soldiers. Engaging with the soldiers was one of my favorite aspects of the trip. Since everyone in Israel has to join the IDF for at least 3 years, they all had an extremely different perspective than we as Americans had. Even though they live such different lives, ultimately they were just teenagers too and had the same hopes and aspirations we do.
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Visiting the historical locations in Jerusalem was absolutely moving. I loved seeing all of the places with so much history and submerged myself in what happened there. Everything was so beautiful and memorable and I want to stay active in the Jewish community to keep making a difference!
Erin Burchfield, Northeastern University '19, traveled to Israel with the Volunteers for Israel program in conjunction with Northeastern University Hillel.
THINKING ABOUT ISRAEL |
March 16, 2016
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My ten-day experience in Israel, though very short to get a full understanding of what the country has to offer, was an eye-opener. We spent two days in Tel Aviv, four days in an IDF base, and then two days in Jerusalem. The two days spent in Tel Aviv mostly consisted of relaxing and resting from the long trip. We did get the chance to go out and look around the city, and it was more of an adjustment period. Everyone was new to each other so it was a time to get to know other people and make friends. After the two days were over, we were divided into groups and sent to different bases. My base was the Beit Lid base, and my group was assigned to two madrichas, guides, who were in charge of giving us tasks and making sure everything was alright. Our everyday jobs varied: cleaning the rooms, washrooms, warehouses, or kitchen, weeding, sorting and packing boxes in the warehouse, cooking or helping in the kitchen, folding maps, etc. The day consisted of having three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at 8:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00 pm, respectively, and working in between those timings. At 7:00 pm, everyone was supposed to gather up and talk bout their day and perform one activity as a group. The activities mostly consisted of giving us an exposure of what a life in the army looks like. After those few days in the base, we spent two days in Jerusalem. By that time, everyone had bonded pretty well and we were a bit more comfortable with each other. We had the opportunity to go around the Old City or Jerusalem and experience the purity and holiness of the land.
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The most beautiful part of the trip was that I got to experience the life of people of my age leading a whole different life from mine in a whole different part of the world. In those four days, I met and shared so much with several soldiers, one of them being Nicole, who became truly special to me. My friends usually refer to me as one of the most mature person they know, but I experienced what maturity truly looks like at our age when I met these soldiers. They were similar to us in many ways, such as all of them had dreams, aspirations, goals, and ambitions they wished to accomplish someday in their lives. Their army experience had given their life a sense of purpose, that most of us lack even at a further age. They knew the importance of living life to the fullest and they valued the importance of family. Their way of looking at life was completely different than ours. I remember when Nicole introduced me to one of her closest friend on the base, she told me that the friend was punished for violating a rule. The friend was supposed to go to another base for 28 days and could not return home until after she finishes her 28-day service. I felt bad for her, but Nicole hugged her friend and held her tight and said to me, “don’t worry, I have backed and packed many cookies for her to take, she will be fine”. It was such a simple and beautiful gesture. I felt so safe and good about the fact that they were not alone, they have people like Nicole around them to take care of them. In general, the soldiers were all very hospitable and nice. I do not know exactly why, but I do have a love and admiration for people in the army from early childhood. I have grown to have immense respect for them in my heart, and now, even more. It was truly a wonderful experience that will stay with me forever. It is true that I did not plan this trip, but the best things come unexpectedly.
Mansi Lakhyani, Northeastern '19, traveled to Israel for the first time on the Volunteers for Israel Mission.
UNDERSTANDING
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March 15, 2016
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When I first found out that I had been chosen to go to Israel as part of Northeastern’s Volunteers for Israel trip I was so excited since traveling to the cradle of modern Judaism, Christianity, and Islam has always been a dream of mine. I am not Jewish and had never been to Israel before, but had heard only good things from all of my Jewish friends about Birthright trips spent exploring the Negev on the back of a camel or summers in Haifa lounging on the beach. Israel seemed like some sort of magical adventure and I could not wait to step foot in this land.
After returning to Boston, I was surprised to realize that the thing I missed most about our amazing ten days was not the beach in Tel Aviv but the magical time we spent volunteering on an Israel Defense Forces base. We wore some very ill-fitting uniforms, spent eight hours a day weeding under the hot sun, and mourned over the loss of our cell phone data plans. It was much less fantastical than my daydreams of the trip had been, but it was much more meaningful. My entire perspective changed with the chance to live and volunteer alongside Israelis, so many of whom were exactly my age. The Israelis we volunteered with were incredibly appreciative of our willingness to not go on Spring Break to Miami or to Las Vegas, but rather to come to Israel and volunteer. Seeing first-hand the connection that these Israelis felt with the land they stood on was eye-opening, and helped me to cut through the fog of negative media coverage about Israel that is so persistent at home. I didn’t want to leave our community service work because I felt at home with the Israelis; they had transformed from nameless figures on a TV screen into real people that I could empathize and connect with, not unlike my connection with my friends back home. After our time volunteering, our VFI group traveled to Jerusalem for our final weekend. We spent a very full Friday touring the Old City, including a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Walking through two of the holiest sites in the Christian faith, surrounded by hundreds of people from Christian traditions across the globe, was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Not only was it moving to be there with hundreds of Christians, but to go there together with the Jews and people of diverse backgrounds on my VFI trip made the experience all that more meaningful. It also taught me an important lesson about the Jewish state; this country is not only a place for Jews, but is a tolerant democratic country where people of all faiths, ethnicities, and sexual orientations are respected. Later that evening, our group gathered at the Western Wall to say Shabbat prayers just as the sun was setting. As the Jewish members of our group sang out the prayers, other worshipers began to gather around our circle to listen and join in. As the crowd grew, a larger circle of IDF soldiers formed, linked arms, and began to sing “Am Yisrael Chai” with us at a truly astounding decibel. After such a spiritually charged day, it felt absolutely surreal to be standing at Israel’s heart, sharing a song with people who put their lives on the line to protect a place that is so clearly central to their identity. I felt privileged to be a part of that, and I felt like I also finally understood why Israel and its status as the Jewish national homeland are so terribly important; the Jewish people were once again free in control of their own destiny in their ancestral Jewish homeland after 2,000 years. My whimsical pre-departure impressions were nothing compared to the weight that Israel really carries with it as a place where millions come to belong in the only Jewish state in the world. |
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VFI showed me that Israel is so much more than its misconceptions and its critics. Israel is a culture, a tradition, a home, and will forever have a place in my heart.
Katie Brown, Northeastern '18, is a Catholic Center member who traveled to Israel for the first time on the Volunteers for Israel Mission 2016 with 30 student participants.
VOLUNTEERING IN ETHIOPIA |
March 1, 2016
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Yesterday began the main part of our visit here, restoring the Jewish cemetery in Azezu. There, the tombstones are decayed or missing entirely, the land is overrun with vegetation, and the wall surrounding the property is crumbling. The cemetery and its plight was discovered over a year by a local member of the community who brought it to attention of the Project TEN Israeli volunteers, who then made plans to do restoration work, and recruited us to help. While we originally expected to be working alone, we did outreach to the local Jewish community to inform them of our plans, and their response was overwhelming. Thus, the worksite is filled with Brown RISD Hillel volunteers, Israelis from Project TEN, the local Jewish community, and even residents around the site and passers by who take interest in our work. We have also spent time with a number of young children from the community who come out to watch us working the site, shake our hands, follow us around, call out to us, and even try to pitch in.
The chazan of the synagogue, Gashow, is the foreman of the project. He has chosen to start by building up the wall surrounding the site, first repairing a crumbling section downhill, and then constructing a new section of wall uphill. Without powertools or construction vehicles, this is highly labor intensive. First hired labor breaks up large stones delivered to the site. Then, we move the stones from the top of the hill to the wall down below, throwing them part of the way, and passing them along chains of volunteers for the rest. At the bottom, hired workers pour mortar and arrange the stones in the wall. We are excited that the lower wall is nearly complete, and we will hopefully begin the top section shortly. Meanwhile, we have also been cutting vegetation with the limited number of shears we have, and are planning to improve signage at the location: restoring an existing sign with names some of those buried, and designing a new sign to designate the place as a burial site that should be respected.
The chazan of the synagogue, Gashow, is the foreman of the project. He has chosen to start by building up the wall surrounding the site, first repairing a crumbling section downhill, and then constructing a new section of wall uphill. Without powertools or construction vehicles, this is highly labor intensive. First hired labor breaks up large stones delivered to the site. Then, we move the stones from the top of the hill to the wall down below, throwing them part of the way, and passing them along chains of volunteers for the rest. At the bottom, hired workers pour mortar and arrange the stones in the wall. We are excited that the lower wall is nearly complete, and we will hopefully begin the top section shortly. Meanwhile, we have also been cutting vegetation with the limited number of shears we have, and are planning to improve signage at the location: restoring an existing sign with names some of those buried, and designing a new sign to designate the place as a burial site that should be respected.
Sam Rubinstein, Brown University '17, traveled with Brown-RISD Hillel on ASB in Ethiopia.
AMAZING RACE CHANUKKAH |
December 15, 2015
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I recently got back from Israel and wanted to share some of the amazing experiences I had. Fortunately, this trip was made affordable thanks to the Amazing Israel Race in which I took part. Aside from the generous prize, I had a great time at the race and enjoyed learning more about Israel, Boston and the connection between the two. I was excited to visit Israel after a year of absence. Hugging my parents, brothers and best friends shortly after landing was probably the best part of the trip. I was extremely happy when I discovered the dinner table at my parents house was full with homemade Israeli food I missed so much! The craving for Israeli food didn’t stop there and I was enjoying Falafel, Shawarma and Sabich (the last is practically impossible to find in Boston) on an almost daily basis.
The switch from the Northeastern freeze to the mild Israeli “winter” was a welcomed change and I spent most of my time at the beaches of Netanya, Herzlyia and Tel Aviv surfing the warm waters of the Mediterranean. I was fortunate to arrive at the time of Hanukkah which meant every dinner eventually turned into a party with friends and family singing holiday songs and having a good time. |
I had a great time in Israel and am already looking forward to my next visit. Thank you to CJP and the Israel Campus Roundtable for helping to make this trip possible!
Adam Scharf is a graduate student at Boston University, where he participated in the Amazing Israel Race and came in second place, earning him $350 toward a flight to Israel!
RECOVERING HISTORY: A SERVICE TRIP TO REMEMBER POLAND'S JEWS |
November 15, 2015
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I had the opportunity to take a five-day journey through more than 1,000 years of Polish and Jewish history on CJP’s “Together, Restoring Their Names” service trip to Poland. Time traveling between my Wellesley College student life and the events that took place throughout the Holocaust has inspired me to reflect.
When I landed in the bone-chilling cold of Poland with our group of eight students, I felt uneasy. How could I be here and walk in the streets where millions of our people, the Jewish people, and so many others had been murdered? The answer: our group’s mission was to recover the history, preserve the stories, hear personal narratives, and educate both ourselves and others about Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust. As I am still processing the Poland trip and everything that I experienced, here are some of my takeaways: 1) It is important to educate everyone, Jews and non-Jews alike, about the Holocaust. Something that was so special and unique about this trip was that half of the students were Jewish and half were not. Our different backgrounds and cultures allowed us to learn from one another. We witnessed first-hand the experiences of the Jews: we walked in their footsteps in the old Warsaw ghetto, pausing at two of the only remaining original walls with their barbed wire. That night, we had an “Active Memory” vigil with more than 200 Jewish and non-Jewish people, including four busloads of Israeli students, local Polish activists, and others from around the world. No matter where we all come from, this is everyone’s history, and we need to learn from one another. 2) The preservation and restoration of stolen matzevas (tombstones) to Jewish cemeteries is crucial. Jonny Daniels, the founder and executive director of From the Depths, showed us stolen and misused matzevas in the Warsaw Zoo. They were being used as building material, and they needed to be returned to their appropriate place in a Jewish cemetery. We saw more and more matzevas in various cities, all over Poland. Tombstones are eternal memories of someone’s life. By reading Hebrew and looking at carved images, it is incredible to learn so much about a person. By recovering and restoring the matzevas, we are actively demonstrating that small acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world) matter, and if we care so much, the Polish society and world will care and help as well. 3) Survivors and “righteous gentiles” have incredible stories that need to be heard, everywhere. As we trekked up a mountainous path, darkness surrounded us. Far away from any city, Jonny told us about the second known hiding place that is still in existence in Poland. We squeezed through a small tunnel which ended in a cramped cave-like bunker: the hiding place. I teared up as I thought to myself that this could have been me and my family. Imagine spending two years in a completely dark, small, enclosed underground cave. For Anna, who lived there from ages two to four, not feeling fresh air or seeing sunshine was her life. Their savior, Jozeph, was 14 years old at the time when he smuggled food to Anna and her family and enabled them to survive the war. This was not only dangerous for her and her family, but this also put him and his family at risk; if they were caught by the Nazis, both families would have been killed immediately. It was emotional and jaw-dropping to be inside the hiding place; furthermore, we sat down and had dinner with Anna and Jozeph in an adjacent town. We listened to their stories, asked questions, and learned what it means to simply be a decent human being and care about those whose lives could have been lost. We are the last generation that will know Holocaust survivors personally, and their stories need to be preserved and remembered for generations to come. We must be their witnesses. 4) Jewish life still exists in Poland and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, and this is fundamental to understanding post-war culture. While the Nazis successfully wiped out the vast majority of the Jewish population and culture in Eastern Europe as a result of the Holocaust, they did not succeed in fully wiping out the Jewish population as a whole. I enjoyed going to the Jewish Community Center in Krakow; there are a few hundred people, Jewish and non-Jewish, that participate. Most people today focus on the lasting effects of the Holocaust and the absence of a big Jewish community in Europe, especially Poland. It is important to recognize that the Jewish communities across that region have grown in the last 70 years. 5) It is vital to acknowledge that the Holocaust could have happened to anyone. When we toured Auschwitz-Birkenau, I felt an overwhelming sense of horror at the fact that so many people were not able to simply be themselves and continue their Jewish lives under Nazi rule. My emotions finally hit me when we walked into the Holocaust/Shoah room in Auschwitz, sponsored by the Israeli government, where we heard music and watched videos of European Jewry before the war started. They all looked happy and like they were enjoying life, and suddenly, within months, their lives changed forever. For me, it was empowering to wear my Star of David necklace in and out of the gates of the camps. It symbolizes that Judaism and its legacy, history, and culture live on, despite the Nazis’ attempt to annihilate the Jewish people. |
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The mission of our “Together, Restoring Their Names” trip was to preserve the names and memories of Holocaust victims in Poland and understand the aftermath of the Holocaust. I truly believe that we met and exceeded these goals. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go to Poland with Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ IACT Initiative and From the Depths. I highly encourage all of us to become more aware of and responsible for what happens in this world, and also to become active members of society to prevent genocide from occurring in the future. As Hillel the Elder wrote: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”
Chelsea Roston, Wellesley College '19, traveled to Poland with CJP's Restoring Their Names mission.
AIPAC PROGRESSIVE RETREAT TAKE-AWAYS |
November 7, 2015
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I learned so much at AIPAC Progressive Retreat. I witnessed people give their firsthand perspectives on Israel, the importance of a Jewish State, and politics in the Middle East. I learned about some of the many different definitions people have of Zionism.
It was also fascinating to learn about Israel’s role as a leading global tech innovator, protector of LGBTQ rights, and progressive democracy in the Middle East. Though people have different opinions supporting or condemning Israeli leadership or policies; I now understand how that is separate from condemning Israel as a whole and the idea of a Jewish State. It is this blanket condemnation, usually stemming from ignorance, of everything Israeli and Jewish that leads to extremism and anti-Semitism. My biggest takeaway from AIPAC would be the importance of actively maintaining a strong, bi-partisan US-Israel relationship, as it is key both to strong Israeli security and US relations in the Middle East. |
Marissa Menzel, Wellesley College '18, participated in the AIPAC Progressive Retreat in Washington, DC.
A PLACE TO ENGAGE WITH |
October 4, 2015
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Northern Israel as photographed by Zach Lefenfeld
At Tel Aviv U Graduation
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I have just completed my year in Israel where I was pursuing a Master's degree in Global Migration and Policy at Tel Aviv University. As a secular American Jew relatively removed from the Jewish community, I had never felt a particular affinity towards Israel nor considered it my homeland. I had toyed with the idea of Birthright now and again throughout my twenties, but somehow I never managed to go through with it, making this past year my first time in Israel at the ripe age of twenty nine.
I did not know what to expect. Before I left, several friends who had never given me a particularly dramatic sendoff before any of my other travels were now calling me with heartfelt goodbyes and a strange tone of permanency in their voices. It didn't take me long to realize that these friends were wishing me what they thought might be their final farewell to me; that I may, in fact, perish in the madness of the Middle East. After dozens of drawn out battles with research papers, heated arguments with my Israeli girlfriend, violent struggles with the Hebrew language, and ultimately, a war against the passing of my short time in Israel, it seems I survived to tell the story. In Israel I discovered a vibrant country as diverse in people, culture, and political opinion as it is in landscape. I was visited by family and close friends, and as we conversed over hummus in Acco, inhabited dimly lit Tel Aviv bars, or camped on the northern shores of the Galilee, together we deciphered the complexities of this unique little country, and why it matters for a people to have a homeland. While I still do not consider Israel my personal homeland, I consider it my home, a place I can always come back to, a place where everyday was a lesson in how to listen, how to engage, how to challenge and be challenged, how to live. |
Zach Lefenfeld, Boston University '08, completed a Master's in Migration Studies at Tel Aviv University after receiving a stipend from the Israel Campus Roundtable.
ISRAEL IS A GOOD THING |
April 13, 2015
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Five months ago I was in Boston, Massachusetts. I had just finished my BA in Management from the School of Isenberg at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For two semesters I lived in the Hillel House (Shout out to Rabbi Yosi), and might I say (Best.Choice.Ever).
I took part in a Maimonides Leader Fellowship program while at UMass and my interest in marrying Jewish ideals into my everyday life blossomed not unlike a Malcolmia Chia. Fast forward a few months -- what have I done since being in Israel? 1. Completed ulpan (and passed!) 2. Made life-long friends 3. Went to more dance parties than I can count 4. Took part in a Jewish Agency Volunteer Program called "At Home Together" Led by Asya Chairsky from the Jewish Agency and won an award 5. Met an adopted family (Shout out to the Schwartzs)! oh and 6. Started a MA degree in National Security Studies at the University of Haifa. |
Like the activities five months before my Aliyah and five months since- the progress in my life emanates from a 'Do' attitude. Taking action I impregnate myself into the vast opportunity network open to Jewish professionals like myself.
Soon I will be enlisting in the IDF and continuing my Israeli saga. Israel has everything I need and everything I could ever want!
Eitan Yariv Sneider, UMass-Amherst '14, is spending his first year out of college attaining a Master's Degree at the University of Haifa.
WELCOME TO ISRAEL! |
November 1, 2014
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Shalom! I have just arrived in Tel Aviv to start my internship in the Office of the Chief Scientist in the Israeli Ministry of the Economy. After 6 weeks of ulpan, and orientation seminars on the history of Judaism and the modern Jewish State, I have finally settled in my Ramat Aviv home for the next eight and half months.
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For the past six weeks I have been participating in the orientation portion of the Israel Government Fellows (IGF), a Masa program run through the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem that provides Jewish young adults with the opportunity to work in Israeli Government positions over the course of 10 months. The program allows participants to explore their connection to the Jewish State through this work experience, educational seminars, and tiyulim (trips) around the country. |
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Our seminars have consisted of hour-long lecture periods by scholars and experts in a wide variety of fields. They have all been chosen by IGF staff because of their specializations in various disciplines, such as the history of Zionism, modern Israeli Economics, and the intersections of modern news media and technology on the wider Middle East. Lectures are followed by question and answer discussions in which opinions are challenged, perspectives are widened, and confusing points are clarified. |
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So far, I have embarked on two tiyulim. The first was part of our planned IGF programming, taking our entire group to the Negev Desert. The trip was organized by Masa Israeli to help us develop a vision for the rest of the year for ourselves as a group and as individuals. For four days, we explored the Israeli desert and discussed our goals and expectations for our upcoming journey.
Daniel Spector, UMass-Amherst '14, is spending his first year out of college interning at the Israeli Ministry of the Economy through the Israel Government Fellows program with the Menahem Begin Heritage Center.
A SEMESTER AT TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY |
July 1, 2014
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During the second semester of my sophomore year at Simmons College in Boston, I decided to study abroad at Tel Aviv University in Israel. I wanted to better understand the Israeli culture and my Jewish heritage by living there for a longer period of time. All of the classes provided by the Tel Aviv University Overseas Program had some sort of connection to either Judaism or Israel. I took classes on the sociology of religion, modern Jewish history, the architectural history of Tel Aviv, the history of Israel through cinema, and the history of Zionism. I also took a month-long intensive Hebrew class. I studied with Jewish students from around the world. One of the great things about this experience was meeting people from all over the world and learning about why they wanted to be in Israel.
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One of the highlights of living in Tel Aviv included celebrating the many Jewish and Israeli holidays. During every major holiday, Rabin Square, the center of Tel Aviv, was shut down for parades and celebrations. When Israel’s basketball team, Macabbi Tel Aviv, won the Euro League Championship, Rabin Square was filled with thousands of Israelis, singing and dancing in celebration. When I wasn’t in class, I spent my days exploring Tel Aviv and the rest of Israel. I visited Jerusalem often, quickly mastering the layout of the Old City. Every Friday I welcomed the Sabbath at a big dinner with my relatives and friends. Saturdays were days of relaxation and catching up with friends, old and new. In the five months that I spent in Israel, I really embraced the Israeli culture and celebrated more Jewish holidays than I knew about! |
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My most memorable session as part of a program called StandWithUs Ambassadors Club was the strategic tour of the security barrier around Jerusalem with its Chief Architect, Danny Tirza. On our first stop in the tour, Tirza began explaining details about the security barrier. He told us why the barrier was built closer into the West Bank rather than pre-1967 Israel. Someone can always find a way to get past the barrier. If it were built closer to Israel, then there would be less time to stop an intruder if they got past the actual barrier. By building it closer to the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli Authority could stop an intruder before they reached homes and civilians. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has a goal of 5 minutes to get to any call of an intruder. All of these security measures help to stop 5 to 20 terrorists from trying to harm Israel each and every night. In the past year, this security barrier has helped stop 80 terror attacks on the way to Israel. Since the fence and security system is so effective, it is used as the model for a security measure at Buckingham Palace.
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The tour made me think about the thousands of soldiers serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, and how lucky I was to be able to comfortably travel and live in Israel because of their service and this security barrier. If it weren’t for the IDF, I would not be able to study abroad safely in Israel. Although there are many misconceptions in the media about Israel, I traveled to Israel on my own, lived there for six months, and felt completely safe and comfortable.
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I was blessed to be able to study in Israel. Living there for five months made me even more passionate about the country. I came back to America with a better understanding of my religion and heritage. Israel is a country filled with loving and warm citizens, and is a place I call my second home. I urge people to go to Israel and see this beautiful country for themselves.
Allison Moldoff, Simmons College '16, spent her spring semester at Tel Aviv University.
SUMMER CLERKSHIP AT ISRAEL'S SUPREME COURT |
May 1, 2014
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Although I have visited Israel many times, this past summer I had the great privilege of viewing the country through a most intriguing and enlightening lens. As a foreign law clerk, I discovered and played an active role in the inner workings of Israel’s Supreme Court, the Beit HaMishpat HaElyon.
The Court typically enlists foreign law clerks to research the analogous laws of their home countries for matters of first impression or cases that are otherwise particularly significant. The legal approach of foreign countries that have addressed the issue in question are then taken into consideration by the Court and frequently are included in a designated section of the Court’s written opinion.
The Court typically enlists foreign law clerks to research the analogous laws of their home countries for matters of first impression or cases that are otherwise particularly significant. The legal approach of foreign countries that have addressed the issue in question are then taken into consideration by the Court and frequently are included in a designated section of the Court’s written opinion.
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I joined a diverse group of nine foreign law clerks, hailing from Canada, England, France, Germany, and the US. Each of us clerked for a specific justice. I was assigned to Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, whom I had met during his visit to Harvard Law School a few months earlier. Among the many fascinating cases for which I provided research, drafted sections of opinions, and observed court proceedings were issues involving free speech, African refugees, same-sex surrogacy, release of 104 Arab prisoners, settlements, and military draft exemptions for yeshiva students.
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I was immediately struck by the informality and camaraderie at the Court. When they are not sporting their robes, several of the justices dress as if they are headed to a family picnic. A stroll through the elegant (but somehow familiar and inviting) “U”-shaped chambers hall reveals that the doors to most of the justices’ personal offices are wide open at any given time. On several occasions, I would be walking down the hall when a justice invited me in for a friendly chat. At other times, while conversing with one justice about a legal matter another would drop in for a casual exchange about a pending case, a recent newspaper article, or their weekend plans.
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Overall, my time at the Court was uniquely enriching and gratifying. In the months that followed, I have remained in touch with the very talented and fascinating group of fellow clerks whom I worked with. I have also maintained contact with several of the justices, and they have invited me to return for a full-year clerkship at some time in the future. I will forever cherish the learning experiences, relationships, and memories that I developed over the summer.
Elliot Schwab, Harvard Law School '14, spent the summer interning at the Israeli Supreme Court.
BABSON STUDENTS IMMERSE IN START-UP NATION |
March 26, 2014
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Over Spring Break, along with 23 other Babson students, I had the unique opportunity to visit Israel and learn what really makes it the “Startup Nation.” Although this was my second time in Israel, it was the first time for many of my classmates.
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We began our trip at an IDF training camp, where high school students train to gain acceptance into the most elite units of the military. These high school students certainly put us to shame in running up and down sand dunes carrying tires, but we were able to show off our leadership skills when it came to the mental challenges and team building exercises. It was interesting to see how the military plays such an important role in the day to day lives of Israeli citizens and establishing a culture of teamwork, entrepreneurship and innovation in Israel. |
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Our trip included visits to Microsoft, Google, Imperva, BrightSource, Cedar Ventures, Lool Ventures (for whom we are currently consulting), Dead Sea Works, the Knesset, the Weizmann Institute, and the Chief Scientist’s Office. We heard from industry leaders how Israel became the entrepreneurial powerhouse it is today, and what their next steps may be. A major takeaway from these talks was how Israel turns threats into opportunities. For example, the need for military technology for defense purposes forced the country to develop military technologies which found their way into commercial use.
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We also got to ride camels, swim in the Dead Sea, sleep in a Bedouin tent, climb Masada, visit Yad Vashem, see the Western Wall, and have a Shabbat dinner with a Jerusalem family. Besides the dinner being delicious, it was truly incredible to be immersed in the culture, share the experience and interact with such a welcoming family. The entire trip was such a great time and I learned so much and none of this would be possible without the support of CJP. It’s clear how every aspect of Israeli culture, politics, and environment plays a role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, making it the number two hub for startups in the world. Perhaps we may soon see it as #1.
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Ryan Narod, Babson College '16, is a business student who helped to oversee the Babson Start-Up Strategy Course with Professor Peter Cohan and fellow classmates.
THE START OF BRANDEIS BRIDGES |
January 9, 2014
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The five Black and five Jewish Fellows from Brandeis University arrived in Israel eager to begin our educational journey and excited to spend time absorbing the culture, the land, and gaining insight from our guide and each other.
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Most of the day was spent in the midst of the Old City of Jerusalem. We were able to trace the border of the city on the Rampart’s Walk, looking down at churches dotting the landscape and even sitting down to enjoy lunch in the Christian quarter with the sound of the Muezzin — the Muslim call to prayer — in the background. As we walked around the city we were able to look at and touch walls that marked where Jordanians ruled before 1967. The tour concluded at the Jaffa gate where one of our very own Fellows joined a street corner group in some a capella to top off an already amazing night!
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Sunday morning began early, as we prepared for our trip to the Ethiopian Absorption Center. At this center we were able to meet and fortunately speak with one of the many Ethiopian communities in Israel. We learned about the plethora of resources provided to them to help with their assimilation process and how many of the members of this community are given opportunities to use computers, experience Israeli grocery shopping, and we had the pleasure of viewing beautiful pieces of handmade art reminiscent of the Ethiopian culture.
From there, we went to the Temple Mount, and subsequently the Kotel, and toured the tunnels underneath. We ended the night with a session with Palestinian journalist Khaled Abu Toameh, who commented on Palestinian and Israeli affairs. |
Amanda Anderson, Brandeis University '17, and Alex Thomson, Brandeis' 15, are two members of the first delegation of Brandeis Bridges Fellows - dedicated to learning about each other's heritage through a joint trip to the Holy Land, aimed at increasing engagement between the Jewish and Black communities back on campus.
BRANDEIS STUDENT EXPERIENCES TAMID |
August 7, 2013
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TAMID connects American business-minded students with the Israeli economy. TAMID’s student-run programs include consulting projects, investing, and the summer fellowship program. This past year TAMID was started at Brandeis. I participated in consulting with two start-up apps over the course of two semesters.
I am currently participating in the fellowship program, which consists of a two month long internship in Tel Aviv as well as weekly TAMID-run trips, events, and business lectures. My internship has been with an organization called Ashoka. Ashoka is an international NGO that invests and supports in social entrepreneurs. Ashoka has offices all over the world. |
Danielle (L) on the beach in Israel
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Danielle (L) listens intently during an information session
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Although it is a well-established organization in many places, the office in Israel was only established five years ago. I discovered the Israel office after Googling “social entrepreneurship Israel” and was so excited with what I found. Israel embodies the idea of Tikkun Olam, a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world," and it was so fitting for Ashoka to be in the start-up nation. I have truly enjoyed working with my incredible, motivated, and passionate supervisor here and am so thankful TAMID was able to partner me with them.
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In addition to being one of the most unbelievable professional experiences, TAMID has exposed me to so many intelligent students from all over the United States. We all have an interest in the business world of Israel and have enjoyed hearing lectures from Israeli venture capitalists, visiting business and technology related places, and attending networking events. TAMID has also scheduled such fun events for the group such as: going to the Dead Sea, hiking Masada, visiting the Druze and the Bedouins, karaoke night, comedy night, going on a wine tour, and of course bringing us to the all-you-can-eat restaurants.
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TAMID group shot in Jerusalem
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Some free time to check out the zoo
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It is so hard for me to believe that I will be leaving Israel in a week and a half. This has been a truly extraordinary experience for me in so many ways. I am so sad to be leaving my Israeli family here, my friends on the program, my internship, and of course the country that is in the best way like no other place in the world. I truly owe CJP a huge thank you for providing me with what I needed to be able to attend this trip. I do not know what I would have done this summer without it, but I know it would not have been as great as this.
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Danielle Mizrachi, Brandeis University '15, is participating in the TAMID Israel Investments Fellows program, which pairs American college students with Israeli companies for summer internships.
THE HOLY LAND MEETS CURIOUS GEORGE |
April 2, 2013
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Although this was my sixth time in Israel, I recently explored a new perspective of our tiny homeland.
Along with 25 other Babson students, I had the opportunity to visit with startup companies, venture capitalists, and accelerator programs through the "Israeli Startup Strategy" class offered by Babson College. Jews and non-Jews alike, we packed our Spring Break with visits to Israeli business centers, along with the regular sight-seeing any tourist in Israel must see. We learned about some of the factors that make Israel a hi-tech hub of global importance. All Israelis must enter the Israel Defense Forces at the young age of 18, which places upon them tremendous responsibility. Many start-ups are based off of innovative technology that they had worked on during their time in the army. |
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My girlfriend, Juliette, and I brought along our favorite friend to experience Israel firsthand with us: Curious George.
Naturally, because of how curious he is, he joined us everywhere we went with a view right from my shirt pocket. While some students found the pace at which we toured quite tiring, Curious George always had his smile on and was eager to learn more about Israel. A few months ago, Juliette had made Curious George a custom kippah to fit his small head. At Babson, Curious George likes to wear his kippah on Shabbat and had decided that while in Israel he would wear it everywhere. He looks forward to going back soon! |
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Alan Klipper, Babson University '14, is taking the "Israeli Startup Strategy" course offered through Babson College. 26 students visited Israel over Spring Break to meet with venture capitalists and start-up companies.
BIPAC at AIPAC |
March 4, 2013
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The Brandeis student delegation had a very exciting day at the annual AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC. The members of the Brandeis Israel Public Affairs Committee (BIPAC) heard from many exciting speakers and attended fascinating breakout sessions about the Islamist Hamas movement and Iran's suspected attempt to obtain nuclear weapons. BIPAC sent a delegation of over 15 students including the two co-presidents of the club, Alex Thomson and Ryan Yuffe, and the Brandeis University Student Union President, Todd Kirkland. In total, over 12,000 people from across the United States were present for the first full day of the conference. The keynote speaker was Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The BIPAC members are looking forward to seeing Vice President Joe Biden address the conference on Monday. The most exciting part of the day was the LGBTQ Reception attended by Alex Thomson, Ryan Yuffe, and J.V. Souffrant. Alex, Ryan, and J.V. had the pleasure of meeting Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren, the first openly gay Asian Congressman Mark Takano, and the man who saved Representative Gabrielle Giffords' life, Daniel Hernandez. BIPAC is very grateful to the ICR and CJP for their generous sponsorship that allowed so many pro-Israel Brandeis students to attend AIPAC policy conference! |
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Alex Thomson, Brandeis University' 15, studies Political Science and is the Co-President of BIPAC, the Brandeis Israel Public Affairs Committee, organizing around Zionism and its future.
