U.S. students come to Israel to build homes for Gaza evacuees
YU undergrads raised $20,000 to support project of constructing permanent communities in the Negev.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Jewish World Israel newsTwelve students from Yeshiva University will land in Israel on Monday to spend a week constructing permanent homes, schools, and community centers for former Gush Katif residents in the desert community of Halutza in southern Israel.
These undergraduates have raised $20,000 to support the project as part of the University's QUEST student leadership program.
The mission, which marks the first-ever partnership between Yeshiva University and the Jewish National Fund, is geared toward presenting the students with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of their cause.
"Our hope is that this mission will not only help these students learn about this specific cause and how they can contribute to it, but that it will inspire them to share their passion for Jewish communal causes with their peers," said Marc Spear, the leadership training director for YU's Center for the Jewish Future.
"Our partnership with Yeshiva University has presented a unique opportunity to work with an exceptional group of students who are already committed to becoming leaders in the Jewish community," said Rebecca Kahn, JNF Campus Programs Manager. "It has also connected the Orthodox community to JNF's work in Israel, so it has been very exciting."
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Such a shame that the Israeli government could not take care of its own people and all these years later there are still homeless evacuees from Gush Katif. By the way #1--- you don't have the slightest clue of what you are talking about. Get with the program and stop already with the left wing propaganda
Well-intentioned but misplaced exuberance causes damage to peace efforts. Is there no leadership to channel this exuberance into helping those least able to help themselves? Is there no commitment to building an enduring peace for our children and their children? A world of diversity with a need to respect human values will be with us forever. Should we not be striving to reconcile ourselves and Israel with that reality? The future should not be based on a fortress mentality and the further consumption of other peoples' land.