For the second year in a row, NCSY’s “The Jerusalem Journey” (TJJ), a four-week summer program that is open to public high school students from grades 9-12 across North America, has received a grant from the Harry H. Beren Foundation. The grant, The Jerusalem Fellows Program, will allow NCSY to give four scholarships of $1,000 each to TJJ participants in need of financial aid. For details and to view scholarship aid qualifications, visit www.ncsysummer.com/summer/ncsy_reg/C1328.
This year’s TJJ program will take place from July 7-August 4.
NCSY is the international youth organization of the Orthodox Union. TJJ, now in its eleventh year, is a four-week all-inclusive trip to Israel that allows public school students with little or no familiarity with Judaism the chance to explore and experience their heritage. The Harry H. Beren Foundation of Lakewood, NJ, in memory of Mr. Harry H. Beren, zt”l, was created in accordance with Mr. Beren’s lifelong belief in supporting Jewish education. The Jerusalem Fellows Program will ensure that four exceptional public high school students will be able to participate in a summer program as Fellows that will show them the beauty of Torah Judaism and the land of Israel.
TJJ program highlights include visits to archeological digs; experiencing a magical Shabbat in Tzfat; visits to the Kotel and the Dead Sea; and daily multimedia presentations teaching the basics of Judaism and about the different sites visited in Israel. What they learn from their trip in Israel will hopefully be utilized to inspire other Jewish teens and allow them to take on further leadership roles in their home communities.
The discounted price of the program, $2,799, originally offered only until January 31, will be extended through February 17. The price includes flights, trips, all meals and accommodations. After February 17, the price is expected go up several hundreds of dollars, so potential program participants and those who need financial help are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applicants will be notified by May 1 if they have been selected for the scholarship.
David Cutler, NCSY Director of Finance and Summer Programs, declared, “Scholarships grants such as the Jerusalem Fellows Program allow teens in public schools to experience what is often their first taste of Judaism. The teens are able to have their first Jewish experience occur in Israel, which is really an incredible opportunity that NCSY is grateful to be able to offer to them.”
To apply to be a Jerusalem Fellow, applicants must submit an essay up to 1,000 words that will explain how they intend to use their summer experience to impact their home communities and public school classmates, and how they have already demonstrated leadership capabilities and dedication to Jewish community activism. Essays should be sent to Mr. Cutler at cutlerd@ou.org by March 15.
For more information, contact David Cutler at cutlerd@ou.org or 212-613-8317.