Have you been to Israel on Birthright or an organized trip and want to go back?
Israel is an beautiful country to travel to, but there are many communities there who need assistance.
The UMass Amherst Hillel is partnering with an organization called Yahel to bring students to Israel for 10 days for a community service and learning trip.
Yahel is centered on collaborative partnerships with local grassroots Israeli and minority communities – all for empowerment, engagement, and education.
This winter, the trip is to a Druze community in Mrar, in northern Israel, to help them renovate an olive press to make it into a tourist hub. Students will be doing home stays with Druze families and the group will also go to main cities to do some site-seeing. Staying with families allows students to experience home life, traditional foods, and cultural aspects that are hard to find anywhere else. It’s a fantastic cultural-exchange and learning opportunity.
“I am excited for this trip to learn more about Israel from an insider’s perspective and to understand that there is more to Israel than politics,” said senior Evan Sheinhait who is already signed up for the trip.
This is a more in-depth program than Birthright. Birthright program is focused sightseeing and getting to know Israel. This program is about making connections with the people and the communities. It’s a more intimate setting to really grasp Israeli culture.
Logistically, there will be three orientation sessions beforehand, so that the group can bond before departing and to learn about the Druze community and about the Jewish approach to community service. After the trip, the group will be getting together to reflect and learn.
[All photos by Karen Podorefsky on her Birthright trip January 2012]
There are still spots available! The trip runs from December 29 to January 8. The price is $650 plus the flight fee, but thanks to a generous subsidy from Hillel’s Ride to Provide fundraiser, the fee is down to $350.
For more information, contact Dori Robinson at: dori.umasshillel@gmail.com.