Donation offsets travel costs

An anonymous donation to a Jewish group on campus will be used to relieve the financial burdens of traveling to Israel.

Israel has a special place in the hearts of many in the University Jewish community. Some students were born there, some have relatives in the country and still others long to travel there to explore their religious heritage.

"There's a private donor giving money and Chazak is the liaison to distribute the money to the students," said Wiener (senior-elementary education).

The upcoming summer trip to Israel would be in conjunction with two Jewish educational programs called the Jerusalem Fellowships of Aish HaTorah and the Jewish Learning Exchange of Ohr Somayach, said Josh Silverman, president of Chazak. The group will hold informational meetings on the trip at 6:30 p.m. both tomorrow and Wednesday in 102 McAllister.

Students who wish to make the trip to Israel must first apply to one or both of the programs, said Silverman (junior-international politics). The Jerusalem Fellowships last 4 weeks and the Jewish Learning Exchange may last up to 8 weeks. Both programs are looking to recruit University students, offering substantial funding to offset the cost of room, board and travel costs in Israel, he added.

The anonymous donor will then screen those accepted into the programs, selecting 15 to 20 students to receive the private funding. For those students, the donor is willing to cover all but $250 of their remaining costs, Silverman said. Between the private donations and the exchange program funding, those selected can attend the summer programs for as little as $250, Silverman said.

"Basically, they have the opportunity to travel Israel, meet Jewish leaders and explore their Jewish heritage for a crazy low price," he said.

Jeffrey Mintzes (senior-chemical engineering) travelled to Israel with the Jerusalem Fellowships following his freshman year. Since that time, his involvement with the University Jewish community has blossomed, he said.

"I went not really having a strong identity in Judaism," he said. "The strength of (the trip) made me very aware and proud of my religion."

Mintzes added that his time on the trip was divided among Jewish educational classes, numerous meetings with top Israeli leaders and visits to many historical landmarks in the nation, aspects that will carry over to the upcoming Jerusalem Fellowships.

Meanwhile, students on the Jewish Learning Exchange can expect to spend time touring the country and studying Israeli politics and Jewish history, among other subjects, Wiener said.

"It's an amazing opportunity for anyone into Jewish history and studying their roots to see Israel firsthand," Wiener said.