Adam Engel from Baltimore recounts his experience on the MDA Volunteers Program

The University of Maryland Hillel had the largest number ever of students who visited Israel during winter break.

Over 230 students came to Israel on various programs including 100 students who participated in the Taglit program. Other programs included:

• The Aliyah Department’s student training program to prepare them to be Jewish Agency representatives on campus
• The Hillel leadership and public relations seminar
• A Jewish Agency project to volunteer on Kibbutz Sdei Eliahu.

Ben Block  (Left) and Carissa Minehan (right) eating falafel and looking at pictures from the recent Birthright trip to Israel.

Eighty students who had participated in the programs joined an on-campus reunion. Several attendees expressed interest in returning on follow up programs, especially the internship program.

Many people contributed to the organization of the event including the area shaliach , Innis Reichel, the director of Hillel, Rabbi Ari Israel, and the Aliyah and Israel Programs office of the Jewish Agency in Washington. At the campus program reunion, an alumnus of the Magen David Adom volunteer program described the program and Yair Kalush presented the other available programs.

marketing@jafi.org

Last Updated February 3, 2004