Eye-Opening After a two-week jaunt to the Jewish state, some students start to consider observing more mitzvot. LYNNE MEREDITH COHN STAFF WRITER A trip to Israel can change you. And it often does, especially for Amer- ican Jews who want more of something Jewish in their lives but are not quite sure what, how or why. If a Machon L'Torah journey to Israel opens a student's eyes to a new side of Judaism, Rabbi Avraham Jacobovitz won't mind a bit. "If that trip helps Jewish students un- derstand why they're Jewish and why they should be active in their local or- ganizations, Hillel houses, I feel I've ac- complished something in any way that they feel more Jewishly connected," says Rabbi Jacobovitz, director of Machon L'Torah, the Jewish Learning Network. No one has become fully observant since returning from a late December two-week trip, but several students have thought about it. And for "Rabbi J.," that's enough for now. "I find it to be the most powerful tool that we have, to connect Jewish students with both Jewish heritage and Israel be- cause there's nothing like being there, walking in the same places where our forefathers, foremothers walked," says the rabbi. • "What I hope for is that the students will upgrade their Jewish awareness and pride, be proud of being Jewish. Now to what degree they take that and how it affects their life varies. In a group of 10, you might have two who become obser- vant Jews. Most of them connect with Israel, go back there, join efforts on be- half of Israel and encourage others to go to Israel." Rabbi Jacobovitz takes at least one group of students, ages 18-26, to Israel each year. This year there may be two more trips — one in May and another in August. Any student at a Michigan uni- versity is welcome. "I call it a seminar on wheels," says Rabbi Jacobovitz. The students are con- stantly asking questions, talking and discussing Jewish history, culture and politics. They also catch a glimpse of an observant lifestyle, staying with fami- lies for Shabbat in Jerusalem and Safed. Several students who went on the re- cent trip say they have entertained thoughts of becoming more observant. Some have even acted on it. "I've always said I want to many Jew- ish, but this really showed me that maybe I should only date Jewish peo- ple," says University of Michigan fresh- man Emily Greenberg, 18. "I felt the trip focused a lot on marrying in the faith and how most Americans are marrying out of the faith, and how we need to keep the Jewish population alive." Michael Harmatz, 28, was raised Or- thodox in Asbury Park, N.J., but has moved away from observance, especial- ly living in Lansing as a second-year stu- dent at Cooley Law School. "Now I feel myself coming back — I have woken up from my spiritual slumber," he says. It's the sense of community he found in Israel, says Mr. Harmatz. "I don't have that here in Lansing. It's very easy to be an observant Jew in Is- rael, but coming back to the United States where I can't even find kosher meat, it's really difficult — and I live right next door to Meijer's and Kroger's, within walking distance." Jennifer Yellin, a 19-year-old U-M sophomore, says had she stayed in Israel longer, she probably would have become more observant. "One thing that I've completely gained since going to Israel is a sense of my na- tionality as a Jew toward Israel. Be- forehand I was just like, 'Oh, Israel, there are things going on there. Big deal.' But The Heatherwood Takes you There HEBREW BOOK and GIFT CENTER, INC. Announcing the Arrival of our Interactive Jewish Music Center! Our driver... at your service! The Heatherwood gets you there. Through rain or snow our courtesy van gets you where you need to go. Leave your worries behind and leave the driving to us! 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Surrounded by Jews, the 24-year-old Lawrence Technological University se- nior says, "You kind of feel like an out- cast if you're not wearing your yarmulke." But it's not just peer pressure that in- gpired Mr. Ostroff. "I had Shabbos dinner one night in some people's house overlooking the [Western] Wall — that was kind of over- whelming. You got a real sense of be- longing." That type of experience has inspired him to light Shabbat candles and attend services. Growing up Reform in South- field, he says he typically attended syn- agogue only on the High Holidays. Since the trip, Mr. Ostroff has gone to Temple Beth El Friday night services a couple of times. "I don't think I could become more Or- thodox, but I'd like to become more re- ligious than I was before," he says. Why? Observing the rituals that Jews have kept for thousands of years brings "something more spiritual" into his life, "something that I can be proud of, that my ancestors believed in." 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