Posted by: Wayne L. Firestone, Hillel President on 2/20/2007 4:55:00 PM

I would like to ask for your help in making the dream of a free trip to Israel a reality for unprecedented numbers of Jewish students and recent graduates. Hillel is now recruiting thousands of students to participate in new Taglit-birthright israel trips for this summer. The next two weeks are critical to our efforts.

Thanks to a $25 million grant to Taglit-birthright israel from The Adelson Family Charitable Foundation, Hillel will be able to bring thousands of students to Israel this June, July and August. The ten-day trips are a gift to Jews ages 18-26 who have never been on a peer-group trip to Israel.

Hillel will continue to offer more than 70 campus-based Explore Israel trips that provide a wide exposure to the land and people of Israel, and that build strong relationships with students from the same campus. In addition, we will offer:
- Arts and Culture (July) 
- Bilingual: American Sign Language/Spoken English (June)
- Environmental (July) 
- Explore Israel Campus-Based Trips (May, June, August)
- Graduates (June)
- Hillel Rolls for those with mobility impairments (June)
- KOACH (Conservative Movement, June, August)
- Outdoor Adventure – Land (July)
- Outdoor Adventure – Sea (August)
- Incoming Freshmen (August)
- Law Students (August)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (July)
- Wellness (Alcohol-Free) (July)

Registration began last week and we already have more than 2,000 applicants. But we invite you to spread the word among your family and friends. You can send a convenient Hillel e-card to young people who may be eligible.

Hillel has pioneered the Taglit-birthright israel program. We have brought more than 20,000 young people to Israel since the year 2000. The participants have enjoyed a safe and meaningful experience in Israel and many have made an enduring commitment to Jewish life as a result. We are proud of the many friendships, marriages, and careers that got their start on this program.

None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Hillel professionals. In the last seven years, Hillel staffers have worked tirelessly to recruit participants, shepherd them through the application process, and join them on their Israel adventures. The Taglit-birthright israel trip is a ten-day, non-stop, sleepless experience that places great demand on Hillel educators, often at the expense of time with their families. These professionals are true heroes. In order to facilitate staffing the summer trips, Hillel will seek qualified graduate students on each campus.

Taglit-birthright israel has been a boon to the Jewish people. Hillel is proud of our role in its success.

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