Shalom from Shorashim

It's been a long time since many of you have heard from us.

We hope to change that with the launch of our newsletter, and also hope that you will be interested to hear all of the new and exciting ways that Shorashim continues to make Israel and Israelis a part of the lives of high school students and young adults.

Of course, the Shorashim/CCP High School Program (you may have known it as CCP, Shoresh, or Shorashim - it's all the same great program where Americans and Israelis travel together) is still the heart and soul of what we do. Last summer, two groups - over 50 high school students - traveled together to Poland, and then met 30 Israelis for the summer of their lives! This summer was marked by the inclusion of Israeli participants from the area of Sderot, who over the past year have had to endure relentless rocket attacks.

Many alumni do not know that Shorashim is also one of the largest providers for the Taglit-Birthright Israel experience - a free trip for Jewish 18 - 26 year olds who have never been to Israel on a peer program. This past year alone, Shorashim has brought over 1500 young adults on their first trip to Israel.

Perhaps the most exciting new project (actually, we've been doing it for four years now), is Shorashim's Club Israel, which reaches out to Chicago-area high school students with interesting and engaging Israel cultural programs. We just wrapped up our Annual High School Excursion Day in which over 350 high school students attending a special screening at the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, ate an Israeli lunch from Taboun Grill and participated in an educational program in memory of the late Yitzhak Rabin.

This is all without mentioning "Camp Kef" our Hebrew/English day camp in Israel, our facilitation of JNF's Alternative Spring Break Programs, and our alumni reunion (sorry if you didn't hear about it, there were over 200 people there).

Check out the pictures on our web album... while you're at it, take a look at our Youtube site and our facebook group and new fan page! So, if we have been out of touch, it's partly because we've been pretty busy. But we promise to update you a little more often. If you would like to know more, have a great idea for us or for an alumni program, or just want to help, let us know at alumni@shorashim.org.