January 2012

Shorashim Continues Special-Needs Offerings for Taglit-Birthright Israel

Posted Wed, 01/04/2012 - 16:57 by Naomi Shapiro

During the last three years, Shorashim has expanded its Israel programming reach to young adults with special needs.

Shorashim started by working with KOACH to run a Taglit-Birthright Israel group for 18 to 26 year olds with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2008.  The trip is now in its third year and is being spearheaded by KOACH’s Associate Director Elyse Winick and Shorashim alum Darin Argentar. For the first year, this group has soared in popularity, and drew a waitlist. 
The 20 young adults (the most we have ever sent!) are currently in Israel having an amazing time. You can follow their journey on their blog at http://israelwithisraelis.com/blogs/sh-25-151 .


The Asperger’s Group has been so successful, that Shorashim was contacted by a group of parents from Los Angeles who wanted their 18 to 26 year olds with special needs to experience a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip.
 

High School Students: Spend your Summer in Israel with Israelis!

Posted Wed, 01/04/2012 - 16:56 by Kira Moscowitz

For more than 25 years, Shorashim has brought thousands of high school students to Israel to see the country through the eyes of their Israeli peers. 

We have never wavered from our core belief that the only way for a high school student to really experience Israel is by seeing the country with the teenagers who live there. 

Last summer's trip was a tremendous success and the left Israel forever connected to the land and its people. 

We are excited to bring a new group of teens in 2012 to experience the adventure of Israel with Israeli peers.

If you know anyone who you think we should reach out to so that they too can participate in a trip of a lifetime, contact Kira Moscowitz, Program Coordinator at kira@shorashim.org or 312-267-0677. 

Club Israel Impacts Classrooms Across Chicago-Area

Posted Wed, 01/04/2012 - 16:52 by Sharna Marcus

Who do you call if you need to teach your students about Israeli culture? Who do you contact if you want to schedule an Israeli cultural performance? Where can you find the best programs related to Israel? Club Israel! Ask the 57 classes that Shorashim has visited this semester and they will share with you the highlights of our programming. 

Chicago area students have attended excursion days at the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, experienced hours of Israeli culture, learned about Israeli pop music, debated about democracy and freedom of speech in Israel, watched presentations on Israeli hi tech inventions, and much much more thanks to our staff in Chicago and visitors from Israel. 

Our second semester calendar is filling up fast, but we still have dates available to bring Israel to your classroom. Contact Director of Education Sharna Marcus for more information at sharna@shorashim.org or 312-239-8428. 

Shorashim Offers a Wide-Range of Taglit-Birthright Israel Trips

Posted Wed, 01/04/2012 - 16:50 by Becky Kupchan

Shorashim is in the middle of its 2011-12 Taglit-Birthright Israel winter season.  What are the trips like? You can find out by reading the participants' blogs and viewing their pictures which are featured on our web site: http://israelwithisraelis.com/blog. 

Summer registration for Taglit-Birthright Israel trips opens on February 15, 2012 at 10:00 am ET. If you applied in the past, you will have access to early registration on February 14, 2012 at noon ET. 

To sign up on our mailing list to receive a reminder that registration is opening go to http://israelwithisraelis.com/signup-mailing-list. 

See you in Israel!

 

Welcome to Our New Israeli Educator: Lior Chacham!

Posted Wed, 01/04/2012 - 16:49 by Adam Stewart

Shorashim welcomes Lior Chacham to Chicago where he will begin his special educational role in late January.  Lior is no stranger to the Chicago area and has visited several times. He also has led the high school summer programs in 2009 and 2010 as well as countless Alternative Spring Breaks, Alternative Winter Breaks and Taglit-Birthright Israel trips.

Lior is from Kiryat Gat, Israel and is known for his uncanny knowlege of American culture, the English language and, of course, the history and people of Israel. His purpose in Chicago will be to deliver engaging and authentic Israel programmimg in schools, synangogues, and other youth settings.

If you would like Lior to speak or run a program at your synagogue, youth group, or school, contact the Shorashim office. 

Go Study Hebrew! - לך ללמוד עברית

Posted Wed, 01/04/2012 - 16:40 by Sharna Marcus

Shorashim has been working with the Jewish United Fund/Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to support the wonderful Hebrew programs at high schools in Chicago's Northern Suburbs.

The Chicago region is fortunate to have seven public schools that offer Hebrew language programs. 

Hebrew is a great language to study in high school. Don't take it from us. Listen to the testimonials of the students currently studying Hebrew to fulfill their foreign language requirement.