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is the gap
for you?

Israeli gap-year programs of all kinds
are attracting Jewish teens.

1

by Helene Glickman

r- -----

here are endless possibili-
ties as to what can be ac-
complished in a year. While
most Jewish high school graduates
go right to college, more and more
are considering gap-year programs
in Israel.
"Motives to have a gap year are
varied depending on the personality
of the student interested," says Patti
Bostwick, college counselor at Frankel
Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield.
Many do it for a break before col-
lege, a travel adventure or a unique
Jewish learning experience. Myriad
options exist to choose from; each pro-
gram is tailored to individual needs,
interests and levels of Jewish obser-
vance. Many allow students to earn
college credits as well.
"When it comes to choosing a spe-
cific program," Bostwick says, "there
are three aspects to each program.
They usually all have varied amounts
of community service, Judaic learning
opportunities and travel adventure.
The key to choosing a program ideal
for the student's needs is finding the
balance of all three that the student
prefers."
For more observant teens, gap-year
programs at Israeli yeshivot have been
popular for a while, with options grow-
ing each year.
Shoshie Gruber of Southfield, a
graduate of Frankel Jewish Academy
in West Bloomfield, is a student at
Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem,
where the focus is on advanced Mish-
nah and Torah learning as well as de-
velopment of a connection to Israel.

:

"I chose to do a gap year because I
wanted the opportunity to learn things
I didn't get a chance to learn before,
and also a chance to experience living
in Israel and getting involved in the
Israeli community," she said. "I chose
Midreshet Lindenbaum specifically
because of the intense learning pro-
gram they provide as well as the
family atmosphere."
Some Orthodox experiences go
beyond only Torah study. Tafnit is
an interesting program from B'nei
Akiva with a trip to Poland, com-
munity service, an optional army
training course, optional yeshivah
time and many leadership oppor-
tunities. A modern Orthodox pro-
gram under the umbrella of Young
Judaea's Year Course is similar.
Conservative options also are
varied with some programs focused
on learning in the classroom, like
the Conservative Yeshiva in Jeru-
salem year program. There, stu-
dents will learn the traditional Jewish
texts of Tanach, Talmud and Midrash
while also learning philosophy and
prayer. Nativ lias two programs, the
classic with two distinct components
— learning in Jerusalem and volunteer
work; and Gesher, which includes a
Europe trip and encourages students
to develop their Jewish identities by
relating to Jews around the world.
The Shnat Netzer year program
is a new Reform program where two
months each are spent on a kibbutz
and volunteering; four months are
spent learning. Arza Tamarim Reform
Israel Program (TRIP) focuses on Isra-

el's land, people and culture. There are
three tracks to choose from, depend-
ing if you want to focus on leadership
and volunteering or more academic
learning pursuits, or a mixture.
Habonim Dror offers the oldest
running gap-year program in Israel,
with work/study options and a trip to

cially because I can volunteer in nurs-
ing, the field I am interested in, through
the program. They offer great Jewish
classes and I want to develop my Jew-
ish identity and connection to Israel."
A gap year is a great and increas-
ingly popular way for any high school
student to get in touch with their Jew-

Above: Emma
Cohen will go on
Young Judaea
Year Course.
Left FJA college
counselor Patti
Bostwick with
senior Amanda
Cohen.

Poland to learn about the Holocaust,
with an emphasis on involvement of
youth movements in the Resistance.
Emma Cohen, 18, of West Bloom-
field plans on going on Young Judaea
Year Course rather than jumping into
college.
"At first, I wasn't so sure about it,
but it was always in the back of my
mind," she said. "I will never have this
opportunity again and I don't want to
have regrets or miss my chance. Many
of my friends from Young Judaea
camp are going, too.
"A year to think about what to do in
college will be beneficial for me, espe-

ish and Zionist identities.
"My experience has been so amaz-
ing," Shoshie said. "Today, I am not
only more independent, but also I
know myself better than I ever have."
For more info: go to judaism.about.
com/od/education/p/israel_phs.htm
or Google the individual programs
discussed above.

Helene Glickman, 14, Is

a sophomore at Frankel

Jewish Academy In West

Bloomfield.

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