Each year we ask for the addresses of our college kids because we want to keep in touch with them while they are away. We send them our monthly bulletin and a couple of times a year we send them goody packages. Please provide your children's information in the form below so we can keep in touch.

The KESHER Israel Connection is a free, ten-day tour of Israel run in conjunction with birthright israel. This program is open to 18-26 year olds who have never been on an educational study program or organized peer group tour of Israel.

NEWS FROM THE BIENNIAL -
PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVES
PACKING FOR COLLEGE:
WHERE DOES JUDAISM FIT?

"As our children grow up, they will make their own decisions: Children always do. But by sharing with them this experience, we can fortify them with Jewish wisdom before they go on their way." -- Rabbi Eric Yoffie November 8, 2003 13 Cheshvan 5764

One of the most exciting and anxiety-producing times in a family's life cycle is when a teen prepares to transition from life as a high school student to life on a college campus. We tell our children lech l'cha-go off and find yourself-and our children are only too eager to go forth. But have we given them the necessary tools for the trip ahead?

When they get to college, our students will come into contact and interact with students from all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. But when they are talking with their friends and questions come up about what Judaism believes in, will they know how to answer?

Will they be able to explain Reform Judaism when faced with challenges from their more traditional peers?

We teach in our religious school the importance of the Land of Israel, but do we give our students the necessary knowledge about the complexity of the situation to face the attacks from the anti-Zionists?

At the November 2003 biennial, Rabbi Eric Yoffie encouraged congregations to take advantage of a URJ program entitled Packing for College, a course for eleventh and twelfth graders and their parents consisting of nine sessions over a two-year period. The course covers practical matters, such as how to choose a college and, for graduating seniors, how to develop a personal Jewish action plan. It deals with questions about Judaism that teens are likely to be asked and suggests ways to advocate for Israel. It also helps parents and their college-bound children create a new type of relationship based on shared personal and Jewish expectations.

The college, religious school and youth committees will be working together to bring this vital program to our B'nai Israel teens and their families.

Watch for future mailings for further details.

Looking for something to do this summer? Work? Play? Learn?

WORK AT CAMP THIS SUMMER
UAHC camps' staff are comprised of college students, graduate students, and professionals in various fields. Training is provided at the start of the summer season, and is ongoing throughout the summer. Moreover, many of our camps offer special summer programs such as FREE college credit!  For more information and to download an application, go to http://uahccamps.org/staff.htm.

GRADUATING THIS YEAR?  WORK AT THE RAC
The Religious Action Center offers a one-year fellowship for six outstanding graduating seniors. Eisendrath Legislative Assistants at the RAC track legislation, represent the Reform Movement on Capitol Hill and in coalition, plan and program the RAC-sponsored conferences, and work directly with Reform congregations on social action programming.  Competitive salary + benefits.  Applications are available on the web at http://rac.org/aboutrac/laflier/.

Not sure where to go yet? Here are some resources for the college-bound teen:

High School Juniors: Choosing a Jewish College
http://www.keshernet.com/hsjuniors.htm

High School Seniors: Living Jewishly on Campus
http://www.keshernet.com/hsseniors.htm

Kesher: The National Reform Jewish Student Organization is the college movement of North American Reform Judaism, an affiliate of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations that connects college-aged Reform Jews, Reform college groups, and college campuses to each other and to the Reform movement, in order to promote continuous involvement in Reform Judaism.

Lights In Action is a national Jewish student group that provides Jewish/Zionist education to college students in the United States and Canada. It is an independent, pluralist, student-run group that does not affiliate with any other organization, any particular movement within Judaism or any political viewpoint. They are committed to serious and substantive peer education in a pluralist setting.

New Voices is the only national magazine in the United States written by and for Jewish college students it brings together a national community of Jewish student readers and writers and is a proud voice for progressive, pluralistic Jewish values. New Voices is created by dozens of volunteer student writers and editors from across the country and abroad, two straight-outta-college staff editors in New York City, and nearly 10,000 student readers on over 300 campuses across North America. It is young Jews creating a Jewish culture and media that speaks to our generation. New Voices is a publication of the independent, non-profit, student-run Jewish Student Press Service.

Hazon means "vision." This is a site that tries to articulate a vision of inclusiveness, pluralism and environmental awareness. They have internships and a variety of projects on the burner, including a series of environmental awareness/Jewish bike rides.

birthright israel will send you to Israel for free, open to all Jewish young adults, ages 18 to 26, post high-school, who have not traveled to Israel before on a peer educational trip. The gift is open to all Jewish young adults regardless of religious affiliation, community involvement or financial wherewithal. birthright israel's mission is to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity between Israeli youth and Jewish communities throughout the world; to increase the number of return visits to Israel; and to promote the role of Israel as a powerful resource in Jewish learning. birthright israel believes that it is every Jewish person's birthright to visit Israel.

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus Hillel's mission is to maximize the number of Jews doing Jewish with other Jews. Hillel actively seeks to engage uninvolved Jewish students on their own terms: to provide them with opportunities to do Jewish that are meaningful and appealing to them. Students are empowered to take responsibility for their Jewish identity, whether they wish to participate in a community service project, express themselves artistically, participate in a social event, engage in informal Jewish learning or attend religious services. Any student may participate in Hillel - no membership is required. Hillel is committed to a pluralistic vision of Judaism that embraces all movements.

The World Union of Jewish Students has a site that connects Jewish students and student activists throughout the world. Visit this site to connect, to learn and to grow. WUJS runs a number of events throughout the year for Jewish Students from around the world. The International Leadership Program (originally called JADE) is for young student activists - an educational, inspiring, skill building 3 week leadership training course in Israel. Marot is a project to promote Israel - Diaspora Relations. Dedicated and trained Israeli students are sent to assist and educate Jewish student communities around the world. The WUJS Congress is a conference of vibrant Jewish student activists in order to exchange ideas, develop common projects, discuss crucial issues facing the Jewish world, and celebrate the energy, vitality and potential of Jewish students.