American college students have countless vacation opportunities awaiting them during their spring break, but this year 120 Jewish students opted to forgo the parties and relaxation — choosing instead to help rehabilitate Israel’s north after the war in Lebanon by planting trees and fixing up bomb shelters.
“Last summer I heard the voices and saw the difficult images of wounded civilians and entire forests on fire. I knew I had to come and help. My friends preferred to go on vacation to Mexico, and I preferred to dedicate myself to Israel,” said Galina Pomerantz, a 20-year-old student from Florida, of her decision to sign up for the volunteer program organized by the Jewish National Fund and the Alternative Spring Break project.
In order to be accepted into the project each student was required to raise $800 in donations, with some even raising sums of up to $10,000. In all, the group brought $200,000 to Israel with them.
They were joined by an MTV television crew producing a series on American teens spending their vacations volunteering around the world.
“I know there are many young people who understand the importance of strengthening the connection between U.S. Jews and Israeli Jews. I think this is part of that tight connection,” said Brat Goldman, 21, of Philadelphia, who raised around $1,000 from friends and fellow synagogue members.
About 20,000 people, including schoolchildren and older students, have already taken part in pruning, planting and cleaning areas in the JNF forest destroyed in the recent war.
“These young people prove that pioneership still exists among youth in the diaspora,” said KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler. “This project is part of the JNF’s activity to bring young people closer to the values of Zionism and love of the land.”