Spring Break
UConn Students Travel To Israel For Free
Rachel Madariaga
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Focus
"It was the greatest trip of my life," remarked 5th-semester economics major, Andrew Loewith.? Last Winter, Andrew traveled with group of about forty UConn students on a free trip to Israel as part of the Taglit-birthright Israel trip.
In a world where nothing is free, it might see hard to believe that this trip actually exists. Where is the catch? As Edy Fink, assistant director of the Hillel program said, "There is no catch."
Students interested in the trip must be of Jewish background, between the ages of 18 and 26 and never have been on a peer group trip to Israel. Students must apply online, after which they will go through an interview process.? The only cost is a $250 desposit that is returned upon arrival back in the United States.? The deadline for applications is Oct. 1.?Students that refer others to register are put into drawings for iTune gift certificates and a free Nintendo Wii system.? If selected for the trip students go through orientation so that they get to know their fellow travelers before they head over.? Beyond that "we meet at the airport and go," Fink explains. Once students return home, there is no further obligation though Fink adds that many can't wait for school to start back up so they can see the friends that they made on the trip.
This ten day trip takes students to the West Wall, Holocaust museums, through deserts and even swimming in the Dead Sea.? Though students travel as a UConn group, they team up with other colleges such as University of Florida and University of Maryland while in Israel.? Not only does the trip create friendships with other American students, it also forges bonds with local young adults, some of whom serve in the Israeli army and come on the trip for three to five days in order to experience Israel through the American eyes.? Fink comments that the short time can develop life-long friendships; students come home to multiple friend requests of Facebook from their Israeli friends.
The trip is sponsored in conjunction with the Israeli government, United Jewish Communities (of North America) and private philanthropists. To date, 145,000 young adults from 52 countries have traveled to Israel through Taglit-birthright.? According to Taglit-birthright's Web site, the trip was established in order to "diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people."
Fink discusses that college is a place where students come in order to find themselves.? This trip helps them "find a connection to Israel and/or Jewish life." Fink, who has been over to Israel eleven times, remarks that, "I couldn't ask for a better job, helping them on this huge part of the path to finding themselves."
More information can be found on the UConn Hillel Web page which will provide the links to registration and more detailed trip information. Students can also stop by the Hillel house if they have any further questions.? Fink claims that the trip fosters "a new love for Israel and Jewish culture." Loweith reminisced that "the ability to see Jeruselum was incredible, you couldn't believe what you had done until you left."
In a world where nothing is free, it might see hard to believe that this trip actually exists. Where is the catch? As Edy Fink, assistant director of the Hillel program said, "There is no catch."
Students interested in the trip must be of Jewish background, between the ages of 18 and 26 and never have been on a peer group trip to Israel. Students must apply online, after which they will go through an interview process.? The only cost is a $250 desposit that is returned upon arrival back in the United States.? The deadline for applications is Oct. 1.?Students that refer others to register are put into drawings for iTune gift certificates and a free Nintendo Wii system.? If selected for the trip students go through orientation so that they get to know their fellow travelers before they head over.? Beyond that "we meet at the airport and go," Fink explains. Once students return home, there is no further obligation though Fink adds that many can't wait for school to start back up so they can see the friends that they made on the trip.
This ten day trip takes students to the West Wall, Holocaust museums, through deserts and even swimming in the Dead Sea.? Though students travel as a UConn group, they team up with other colleges such as University of Florida and University of Maryland while in Israel.? Not only does the trip create friendships with other American students, it also forges bonds with local young adults, some of whom serve in the Israeli army and come on the trip for three to five days in order to experience Israel through the American eyes.? Fink comments that the short time can develop life-long friendships; students come home to multiple friend requests of Facebook from their Israeli friends.
The trip is sponsored in conjunction with the Israeli government, United Jewish Communities (of North America) and private philanthropists. To date, 145,000 young adults from 52 countries have traveled to Israel through Taglit-birthright.? According to Taglit-birthright's Web site, the trip was established in order to "diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people."
Fink discusses that college is a place where students come in order to find themselves.? This trip helps them "find a connection to Israel and/or Jewish life." Fink, who has been over to Israel eleven times, remarks that, "I couldn't ask for a better job, helping them on this huge part of the path to finding themselves."
More information can be found on the UConn Hillel Web page which will provide the links to registration and more detailed trip information. Students can also stop by the Hillel house if they have any further questions.? Fink claims that the trip fosters "a new love for Israel and Jewish culture." Loweith reminisced that "the ability to see Jeruselum was incredible, you couldn't believe what you had done until you left."
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