December 11, 2006 / 20 Kislev 5767

December 3, 2006 was the first ever 'Jump for Israel' event in the New York area. Over 20 university students, mainly from Queens College, participated in the daylong sky diving event in Long Island that raised awareness about Israel and allowed the students to show their solidarity with the Israel Defense Forces. Students were able to gain sponsorship for their jump from friends and family and as a group, raised over $500 that will be donated to American Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces.

The event organized by the Israel Fellow at Queens College, Elit Goldberger, in conjunction with MASA Israel and the Zionist Organization of America, was initiated by Akiva Friend, Joshua Gross and several other Queens College students who felt that they wanted to actively show their support for the soldiers serving in the IDF. The students were able to jump with two former IDF soldiers and learn more about life in Israel and specifically their time spent in the IDF.

Throughout the day, students asked many questions and participated in a letter writing campaign to the Red Cross and the United Nations on behalf of the three kidnapped Israeli soldiers- Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev.

The day ended with a MASA Israel sponsored dinner with the students and former soldiers recounting their experiences throughout the day.