Newsletter Category

Summer Program Adds Berlin

Posted Fri, 01/15/2010 - 10:36 by Gabe Axler

For many years, the Shorashim/CCP program has been a leader in high school programs in Poland and Israel. This year - for the first time - CCP Summer program participants will journey to Berlin as well.

Spearheaded by Shorashim Scholar-in-Residence, Fred Margulies, who has traveled extensively as a researcher of Jewish roots and life in Europe. The trip will visit sites that convey the history of Jewish life in Europe, the horror of the Shoah, and the rebirth of Jewish life in Berlin. "It’s the place where the war against the Jews was formulated," says Rabbi Margulies, "But the Germans have tried to come to terms with their history. There are many fascinating sights of Jewish historical interest, plus a newly vibrant Jewish community with whom we will make contact.

The early bird registration discount ($400) has been extended until the end of Janauary. Anyone interested in the program can visit the program website or call us at 312-267-0677.

Shorashim Welcomes New Shaliach to Chicago

Posted Fri, 01/15/2010 - 06:03 by Sharna Marcus

Shorashim, in partnership with Habonim Dror - Camp Tavor and the Jewish Agency for Israel, welcomes its first Shaliach (emissary) to Chicago: long time Shorashim staffer Shahar Gal. Shahar’s passion for youth education started as a branch leader in the Hanoar Haoved movement in Israel. In the army, he served as an infantry solider and also worked with disadvantaged youth. Shahar is a licensed and accomplished tour educator in Israel.

Since arriving to Chicago, Shahar has been running Israel programs in local high schools and Israel clubs. He has also been reconnecting with Chicago Community Taglit-Birthright Israel groups that he has staffed in the past. During his time in Chicago, Shahar is also a fellow in Project Incite, a cohort of youth professionals who are to become part of the next generation of innovative Jewish educators. As part of the program, he participated in the ten-day seminar in Israel, after which he staffed a Chicago Community Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with students mostly from the University of Illinois.

Shahar is married to Lee Perry Gal - also a Shorashim educator - who is pursuing an advanced degree in ancient history and archaeology. They live in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.

A Story of Two Noahs

Posted Wed, 04/08/2009 - 09:50 by Sharna Marcus

Noah Bronfeld participated in one of Shorashim's Chicago Community Taglit-Birthright Israel trip this past winter. Below is a letter from his parents which is excerpted from the latest print issue of JUF News and is also available Noah & Noah on their way up Masada.

We are the proud parents of two wonderful sons, Jordan, who is almost 25, and Noah, who is almost 23.
Several years ago, our son Jordan went on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim. He had a memorable trip, and it was then that I began to seriously think about how we could provide such an experience for our son Noah.
Our son Noah has autism. He has had a wonderful Jewish education through Keshet. He has attended the Sunday school and the summer programs since he was 5. Keshet has very much been instrumental in helping Noah to develop a sense of his Jewish identity.
In spite of the fact that Noah's friends participate in many Friday evening social activities, Noah is quite insistent about going to Friday night minyan and celebrating Shabbat at home, as a family. As we began to have discussions with Noah about whether he would like to go to Israel on Birthright, it became clear that not only was he interested in going, he was excited about it. Making a trip to Israel happen for Noah became a mission for us.

Continued at JUF News...

Club Israel's March Madness

Posted Wed, 04/08/2009 - 09:30 by Miriam Brosseau

On Sunday, March 29th, Shorashim's Club Israel gathered eight teams of American and Israeli teens and their many fans in the Chicagoland Jewish High School gym to play for a cause - Israel.

The day began with the teams shooting hoops and listening to Israeli dance music to warm up. Gabe Axler, Shorashim’s Director of High School Programs, then gathered the group on the bleachers and introduced the afternoon. “Kiryat Gat has had a tough year,” Gabe recalled. “It sits within firing range of the missiles from Gaza. And that’s what makes today so much more meaningful- we have a group of Israeli teens here from that city, we’ll play some basketball, and help make some positive change in Israel.” Four teens from Kiryat Gat - Lachish - Shafir, Chicago's Partnership 2000 Region, then stepped up and introduced themselves.

They were visiting the States as part of a JUF-sponsored program called Kolot, which also focuses on philanthropy and teens making a difference in Israel. They talked about what the program meant to them, and how amazing it was to be a part of the games that day.

Israel's Current Challenge

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

 

'Gearing Up' for the 10th Year of Taglit-Birthright Israel

Posted Tue, 12/09/2008 - 16:08 by Sharna Marcus

Taking 1,500 Taglit-Birthright Israel participants to Israel every year requires great staff, both Israeli and American. Every Israeli guide holds a coveted “Moreh Derech” license, the highest touring certification offered in Israel. Shorashim has also invested considerable resources to hire and train staff from the United States to ensure the highest quality individuals staffing trips and educating the 40 Americans per bus who are experiencing Israel for the first time with six to ten of their Israeli peers.

To staff a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip, Shorashim requires madrichim to have had significant experience in Israel. Our U.S. staff includes many Shorashim alumni, and alumni from study abroad programs at the University of Tel Aviv and Hebrew University, former Otzma participants, and some who have staffed other high school, college and mission programs.