Jewish National Fund Offers Students an Opportunity to Encounter Eco-Zionism™ and Have an Israel Experience

Jewish National Fund
Wednesday, 13 June 2001

Despite the Current Climate in Israel, JNF's College Activist Department Offers A Safe and Affordable Program for Dedicated Students this Summer

Jewish National Fund's (JNF) College Activists Department - the student arm of JNF - is offering an exciting and affordable way for college students to visit Israel from July 24, 2001 through August 10, 2001. Even as many other organizations are canceling their planned trips to Israel, JNF is standing firm behind its commitment to make its Israel programs available to those eager to visit their homeland. JNF feels that it is always important for Jewish people to visit Israel, but during this time it is critical to be there, standing in solidarity with Israelis.

As JNF prepares to celebrate its 100th Anniversary as caretaker of the land of Israel, the organization is able to offer a unique perspective on Israel's natural resources and raw beauty that is unique to the Israel Experience Encounter Eco-Zionism™ Tour. Its strong connection with Israel also offers JNF the ability to provide a more secure trip for participants, due to the organizations incredible knowledge of Israel. "JNF has not been immune to the increased reluctance to visit Israel," says Mara Baylis, director, College Activists Department. "However, we remain committed to the importance of supporting Israel in this time of crisis." Baylis also notes that this year's group of students is smaller in number than previous years, but she emphasizes the dedication among this year's group of participants.

This year's group will be given the opportunity through the Eco-Zionism Tour, to travel and experience first-hand the beauty and power of Israel while meeting with experts on water conservation, afforestation and land development. Participants will study Jewish environmental texts with educators and religious leaders, and will also participate in exciting outdoor adventure programs such as mountain biking and hiking. In addition, planned workshops will give students both the leadership training and the information they will need to implement environmental and Jewish programs on their college campus. "We are dedicated to ensuring that the campus community develops a growing understanding of the Jewish connection to the natural world and Israel and also to helping them understand that as individuals, each of them is the future of Israel," says Baylis.

In addition to this summer tour, JNF College Activists Department has a variety of programs that bring the connection between Israel, Judaism and the environment to life for college students. The annual Eco-Zionism™ Conference encourages students to brainstorm and strategize about solutions to the ecological issues confronting Israel's environment. The conference brings upwards of 100 students from all parts of the country together to discuss Jewish issues and ways to promote Jewish and environmental programs on campus. Among the speakers at this year's conference were Adam Werbach, former president of the Sierra Club and host of the environmental news magazine, "Thin Green Line."

JNF's College Activist Department also implements JNF's "signature program" of planting trees in Israel. Every tree purchased through the on campus tree drives as part of the "Plant Your Roots in Israel Campaign" is planted on Campus Hill, an area within American Independence Park in Jerusalem. The JNF Campus Hill project allows students to become personally involved with JNF's mission by planting trees and working the land. In 1999, the "Just Add Water" program became a part of the tree drive campaign, allowing students to support JNF's most crucial goal - raising money to assist Israel with its current devastating water crisis.

For more information, or to contact Jewish National Fund, see their website at: www.jnf.org