3,500 Spend Winter Break In Israel

December 17, 2007
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Students help to paint refugee shelter.

This winter Hillel brought 3,500 students to Israel through the Taglit-Birthright Israel program, the Charles Schusterman International Leaders Assembly, and an alternative break program emphasizing social justice. In addition, the Israel on Campus Coalition, a partnership of Hillel and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, brought 43 students selected by the umbrella group's 31 ideologically-diverse member organizations to the country on an Israel@60 mission.

The trips underscore Hillel's new emphasis on immersive Jewish experiences and their ability to bring about long-term impact in students' Jewish identity. The groups converged for a Shabbaton at Kibbutz Ein Gev and met with philanthropist Lynn Schusterman.

Hillel wishes to thank the following foundations and individuals who made these trips possible:

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
The Samuel Bronfman Foundation
The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation
Jane and Alan Cornell
Sherry and Larry Kalish

Taglit-Birthright Israel: Hillel

Hillel provided 3,000 young people with their first trip to Israel through the Taglit-Birthright Israel program. Hillel has participated in the Taglit program since its inception in 1999 and has brought nearly 30,000 to Israel. The program helps young people with limited involvement in the Jewish life make connections to their campus Jewish community, the global Jewish community, and the State of Israel.

Charles Schusterman International Student Leaders Assembly: Jewish Citizenship in a Global World

For the first time, Hillel conducted its annual Charles Schusterman International Student Leaders Assembly in Israel. The conference brouhgt 186 Jewish student leaders from North America, Latin America and the former Soviet Union for 10 days of immersive experiences in the areas of service, dialogue, activism, and social entrepreneurship.

Tzedek Alternative Break in Israel

Hillel's Weinberg Tzedek Hillel program brought over 150 students to Israel to perform tzedek, social justice, activities across the country.

Israel on Campus Coalition Israel@60 Mission

The the Israel on Campus Coalition Israel@60 Mission united a unique cross-section of Jewish students from across a broad ideological spectrum. During their trip they met with a variety of Israeli leaders, including Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.