In the final days of 2024, twenty-five Yavneh fellows, representing JLIC’s prestigious leadership development program, embarked on a transformative journey through Israel’s southern communities. JNF-USA Alternative Winter Break program, a cornerstone of Yavneh’s annual programming, has consistently proven to be a pivotal experience that shapes future Jewish campus leaders. The four-day JNF-USA mission, combined hands-on assistance with profound educational experiences, allowing students to support communities affected by the October conflict while strengthening their connection to Israel.
Each day was carefully crafted to maximize impact and learning. The journey began in Tkuma, where fellows helped a recently returned reserve soldier tend to his garden. The group then visited Sderot, where they met Debbie, a longtime resident who shared her moving account of October 7th. The resilience of the community was evident in the JNF-built indoor playground and the newly completed police station memorial. Evenings were dedicated to group discussions and programming, allowing students to process their experiences and develop concrete plans for enhancing Jewish life on their campuses.
“The hands-on work was both meaningful and engaging, offering an opportunity to contribute directly to the local community,” reflected Dalia Leibowitz from the University of Maryland, after spending day two at the Adi Negev Rehabilitation Center and Kibbutz Re’im. The students participated in the Race for Inclusion alongside resident children and later contributed by building and painting picnic tables and benches for the kibbutz.
The packed itinerary included agricultural work with Hashomer Hachadash to address food shortages, visits to communities directly impacted by the conflict, and meaningful interactions with IDF soldiers. A particularly moving experience came on the third day when the group met Osi, who welcomed them into her home to prepare meals for IDF soldiers. The day concluded with a powerful Hanukkah celebration alongside IDF troops near Gaza. Eli Rubeck from Case Western Reserve University and Jonah Hochstadt from the University of Michigan shared their powerful reflection: “We are profoundly grateful to Yavneh and JNF for giving us the opportunity to not just witness, but to connect, contribute, and stand in solidarity with the people of Israel.”
The final day took the group to Wadi Attir, an innovative Bedouin agricultural village, where they engaged in everything from nursing baby sheep to sorting spices. Kayla Kupietzky from Barnard College noted the special significance of their last activity: “Each tree was planted in memory of a life that was lost on October 7th, 2023. Each of us had picked out a person at the beginning of our trip to keep in mind and then today, we planted trees in memory of them. It was such a meaningful and full-circle experience.”
This Alternative Winter Break experience has proven to be transformative for participants, many of whom go on to take significant leadership roles both within Yavneh and in their broader Jewish campus communities. The program’s blend of hands-on service, educational components, and leadership development creates a unique platform for personal growth and community impact.
Rabbi Jonathan Shulman, Director of Yavneh, emphasized the unique impact of this experience: “This partnership with JNF-USA enables our fellows to engage meaningfully with Israel during a critical time, transforming their understanding of both the challenges and the incredible resilience of Israeli society. The dedication of our staff members – Tal Ershler, Rabbi Jeremy Tibbetts, and Miriam Pincus-Gold – in creating this powerful experience exemplifies Yavneh’s commitment to developing the next generation of Jewish leaders. Through their guidance, our fellows have not only contributed to communities in need but have deepened their connection to Israel in ways that will influence their leadership on campus and beyond.”
The Alternative Winter Break trip had students from: University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Case Western University, Wash U in St. Louis, Hunter College, University of Wisconsin, Columbia University, Barnard College, Binghamton University, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Cooper Union, Arizona State, and Vanderbilt University.
The Yavneh fellows and staff express their deepest gratitude to Jewish National Fund-USA for their invaluable partnership and support in making this meaningful journey possible. Through JNF-USA’s commitment to Israel and its people, these students were able to contribute directly to communities in need while strengthening their own connections to the land and its people.
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