January 2009

Israel's Current Challenge

Posted Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:55 by Adam Stewart

While we don't intend to overload you with news every month, there is a lot going on at the moment (some good, some not) that we thought you would like to know. Americans and Israelis to gether at Gadna - Summer 2008 Israel is at war on its southern border as Shorashim safely continues to operate its Taglit-Birthright Israel programs. We successfully brought to a safe conclusion our partner programs with JNF (Alternative Winter Break) and JUF (KOLOT: The Israel-Centered Teen Giving Circle). The conflict, however, has a deep impact on the lives of our Israeli alumni and staff. In particular, Yakki and Yossi Samet - brothers who have been participants and staff on countless Shorashim trips - are currently serving in and around Gaza. Yakki who is a surgeon and who also served in Lebanon in the Summer of 2006, is now one of Shorashim's medical consultants. Just recently, he was seeing sick participants in his living room in Jerusalem. Yossi was the lead staff person for one of our JNF Alternative Winter Break trips when he was called to reserve duty. These are just two of the many alumni, their fathers, brothers, husbands, and friends, who have been called to duty. We all pray for their safe return.

Udi Krauss to Perform in Chicago

Posted Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:55 by Adam Stewart

Udi Krauss performing for a Taglit-Birthright Israel group. Udi Krauss is a rock star in every sense of the word! To hundreds of participants on the CCP/Shorashim High School and Taglit-Birthright Israel programs, he is the person who made their trip to Israel amazing and their connection to Israel deep. To thousands of screaming fans in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, he is the songwriter, producer, and percussionist for Israel's top singer/songwriter, Eric Berman. And now he is coming to Chicago not just to visit, but to perform his chart-topping songs and explain how life in Israel influences his craft. Udi, who has performed for numerous Taglit-Birthright Israel groups, will perform at:

Subterranean (2011 W. North Ave, Chicago) in Bucktown on Saturday, January 17 at 7pm.

See below to reserve space (tickets are free!)

 

Shorashim Partners with KOACH on a Special-Needs Program

Posted Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:55 by Sharna Marcus

As Shorashim finishes its nineteenth season as a Taglit-Birthright Israel provider, a unique and special-needs group of participants with Aspergers Syndrome will not soon forget their first experience in Israel. Participants on the program - which was in partnership with KOACH - traveled with a group of soldiers for whom assisting with special needs is a passion. They also met Israelis with Aspergers Syndrome who study at the Jerusalem branch of Beit Eckstein, a vocational training center for students with the syndrome. The group saw a play at the center headlined with an actor with Aspergers Syndrome. "I was very moved by the participant who said that his visit here was the highlight of his trip to Israel," said Nomi Venkert of Beit Eckstein. The mifgash included mixers and singing, led by Eli Aizner, one of four IDF soldiers who accompanied the group on its journey throughout Israel. "They were having so much fun, that we had a hard time getting them out of there," said Rose Sharon, special education teacher and KOACH's coordinator of the trip. This special trip required significant planning by Taglit-Birthright Israel, Shorashim, KOACH, and Israeli Guide Dror Kidron (who worked tirelessly before and during the trip to ensure a meaningful experience). The time and effort to make this trip and ensure Shorashim's mission of mifgash was well worth the extra effort, said Adam Stewart, Director of Shorashim.

Parent Reception to Highlight Shorashim

Posted Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:54 by Gabe Axler

Shorashim will be holding its first parent reception to introduce new families to Shorashim and this life-changing experience. CCP/Shorashim 2008 Participants in Poland with Holocaust Survivor Ruth Usrad Alumni parents are encouraged to invite friends and relatives to share in this evening featuring a live acoustic performance of Israeli songs by musicians and Shorashim staff Udi Krauss and Miriam Brosseau. Other Israeli staff, including Shahar Gal, will also be in attendance!

At the home of Jerrold & Naomi Senser:

55 S. Deere Park Drive, Highland Park (map)

Tuesday, January 20th 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP to miriam@shorashim.org as soon as possible.

Please include expected number of guests. You may also use the link below to "Invite a friend" to the reception (be sure to include a personal note). Thank you for your continued support and dedication!

Thanks for Giving back

Posted Fri, 01/09/2009 - 13:50 by Adam Stewart

Thanks to all of our alumni who responded to Josh Cohen's ('88) call for support of Shorashim's program. As we continue through turbulent economic times, Alumni support will enable us to: provide more scholarships to Israeli and American families so that they can participate on a Shorashim program, continue Israeli cultural programming for high school students in Chicago, and a variety of special projects and programs aimed at making the lives of Israelis and Americans that much closer.

If you didn't have time to make a donation last month, we hope that you will consider one now so that we can meet our commitment to ensure that a Shorashim program is available to anyone who wants it. Thank you for all of your continued support.