January 8, 2002

OPERATION TORAH SHIELD II
Yeshiva Students to Embark on Solidarity Mission
Participants to be named Tourism Ambassadors for Israel

View photos on departure and arrival

Listen to Nachum Segal's interview with Yehuda Shmidman on JM in the AM, direct from the mission
Scroll the slider to 2:35:00. You will need RealPlayer.

(New York, NY, January 7, 2002): -- Two hundred Yeshiva University students will depart on January 13, 2002, on a weeklong Solidarity Mission to Israel with a unique component: the Tourism Ambassador Training Program. "Operation Torah Shield II," which was designed and created by students, is on its way to Israel to strengthen the people of Israel and lend support for all victims of terror.

While in Israel, the participants will focus on interacting with the people of Israel and the land of Israel. The rich curriculum of the training program will be a creative educational mix of lectures and seminars on the sites, history, culture, and people of Israel. Upon successful completion of the program, the Israel Ministry of Tourism will appoint these students as official Tourism Ambassadors of the State of Israel.

Each of the students has already committed to give press interviews and speak publicly upon their return. Collectively, the students will speak at more than one thousand venues across America. Julie Pianko, a member of the Operation Torah Shield II committee explained, "This is not a teen tour where the aim is to find free time for socializing and shopping. We are going to Israel with one purpose in mind - to support Israel and to publicly share the message that the best way to demonstrate we care is to go there."

"Every participant has committed to addressing audiences in order to promote Israel travel," said Josh Kramer, another member of the Torah Shield II committee. "Whether speaking at a shul or arranging to meet with other students, our mission does not end when we return home. In fact, that is when our real work first begins."

Consul Rami Levi, Israel Commissioner for Tourism North America commented, "The students of Yeshiva University have taken a great responsibility upon themselves by becoming Tourism Ambassadors. Their efforts to reach out to their communities and promote tourism will make a tremendous difference to us. These students should be very proud of the work they are doing."

According to the Orthodox Union's Executive Vice President, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, "This student-led mission sends a message of solidarity and action to support Israel. The Orthodox Union is pleased to serve as a means to facilitate this communal expression of ahavat Yisrael (love of Israel)."

The Solidarity Mission is being coordinated by the Orthodox Union and co-sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency and private donors.

www.TorahShield.com

www.ou.org

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Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Department of Public Relations Sharyn Perlman, Director Main Office: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212-613-8321 Fax: 212-564-9058 E-mail: media@ou.org

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