As we all know, creating summers of fun are just a fraction of what we do. Read how we offer a variety of entry points for youth and young adults to begin their sacred journey of discovery and connection to Israel. We hope you enjoy their powerful stories, reflections and descriptions.
Israel, Up Close and Personal
NFTY in Israel
Shortly after arriving in Israel a few weeks back, URJ President-Elect, Rabbi Richard Jacobs, had the privilege of welcoming a few busloads of NFTY in Israel teens to Jerusalem. Read what he has to say about being a part of these groups’ discovery of Jerusalem, and how he describes them as “not mere tourists, but rather young Jews on a sacred journey of discovery and connection.” Read more »
The Negev Desert’s Power & Awe
NFTY in Israel
Israel’s Negev desert is an awesome place, in the literal sense of the word. It inspires awe in its serenity, while imposing its heat and barrenness on the human body. At the same time, it always seems to provide a setting for deep and meaningful reflection. NFTY in Israel’s Group 10 took advantage of this during their four days camping out. Here are some of the thoughts shared by four of the group’s participants. Read more »
The NFTY-EIE Experience: In Their Own Words…
NFTY-EIE
We talk a lot about how important and life-changing we think EIE and the rest of our Israel programs are for our participants. But more often than not, the best way to share the significance of these programs is to let the participants’ stories speak for themselves. Read here the reflections on learning and living in Israel from alumni of the Spring 2011 semester of EIE. Read more »
A Crash Course in Israel
Taglit-Birthright Israel URJ-KESHER Trip
Discovering Israel on a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip can be an overwhelming experience, and difficult to describe to others, to boot. KESHER Birthright participant and writer Celeste Kaufman from Brooklyn funneled her experiences and emotions into an inspiring blog that covers her trip. As she puts it, “No story based in the birthplace of the human race and some of its most practiced religions can be told without a little explanation.” Read more »
The Unique Global Experience of Netzer Year
Netzer Year
On Netzer Year, participants get the unique opportunity to take part in an international exchange with peers from around the world while learning and volunteering in Israel. The program is also a stimulating way for recent high school graduates to spend a year in Israel. Alumni return home with an expanded worldview, an appreciation of pluralism and an enriched background in Reform Judaism and Zionism. Read more »
What Will it Take to Green Israel’s Cities?
Kibbutz Lotan Green Apprenticeship
Read the Ha’aretz article on the groundbreaking Jewish environmental education that is taking place at Kibbutz Lotan, one of the Reform Movement’s two kibbutzim in Israel, and an active laboratory of sustainable living. Read more »
Cast Your Vote: UN Vote on Palestinian Statehood
ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America), on behalf of all the arms of our Movement, is circulating a petition in response to the UN resolution that would grant Palestinian statehood. Our Movement has always supported a just and secure peace for our people as well as for the Palestinian people; and also believe that what is needed are negotiations, not unilateral actions. Read the petition and share it too! Sign the petition »
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