Newsletter Category

A Shorashim Family Affair

Posted Wed, 04/08/2009 - 09:10 by Sharna Marcus

The JohnstonsTaglit-Birthright Israel: Shorashim trips are frequently family affairs. During our nineteenth Taglit-Birthright Israel season many siblings and cousins decided to experience Israel with Israelis and with their family members. The trip allows them not only to see Israel for the first time, but to spend 10 days with siblings and cousins who live in other cities or attend different universities.

On one Shorashim trip there were three sibling groups including a set of triplets! One sibling group were Mifgash siblings: Earl Rich is an Israeli soldier and Mandy Rich, a Taglit-Birthright Israel participant.

How does having so many sibling participants affect group dynamics? According to madricha and JNF Administrative Assistant Becky Palley, the experience is enhanced. “As a trip leader, I thought the siblings in my group were a great asset,” Palley said. “The siblings in my group looked out for each other, and found a nice balance of comfort and excitement in their Israel experiences.  On one hand, they had people who they felt comfortable talking to and who they knew, but on the other hand they were able to go out and make new friends and broaden their social horizons. The siblings in my group enjoyed seeing Israel for the first time together, and broadening their Jewish identities as a family. Coming to Israel with a family member, or in some cases two, is something special and I think it's great that Shorashim was able to provide that for these young Jewish adults.”

Udi Krauss to Perform in Chicago

Posted Fri, 01/09/2009 - 14:55 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!)

 

Americans Travel with Israelis from Sderot

Posted Tue, 12/09/2008 - 18:24 by Gabe Axler

Fifty Americans from Chicago and beyond joined the Shorashim/CCP High School program in it's 24th year! They were joined in Israel by thirty Israelis for the trip of a lifetime. 

Shorashim/CCP Summer 2008As usual, the American participants - still with visions of the Majdanek - exited customs at Ben Gurion Airport into a sea of Israelis, dancing and singing and making them feel at home. The scene was simply amazing. This year - as in every year - the groups were joined by Israeli participants from Chicago's Partnership 2000 Region: Kiryat Gat - Lachish - Shafir and from the neighborhoods and high schools in Jerusalem that have traditionally been feeders to the program.

But unlike past years, this summer's group was joined by  participants from the towns and villages around Sderot. With generous support from our board, alumni, and friends, we were able to offer scholarships to eight high schools students who would have otherwise had to endure another summer of relentless rocket attacks from Gaza. While - for obvious reasons - they were not able to host American participants for a Shabbat, they were able to share their stories and themselves, while they participated in a summer of fun.  It is an experience that the participants - American and Israeli - will never forget.