Hillel helps sponsor group trips to Israel

Jewish students at Penn between the ages of 18 and 26 who have never participated in an organized group trip to Israel can apply for a 10-day program that allows them to travel to Israel for free.

Tali Golan, the Jewish Campus Service Corps fellow at Penn Hillel, said that Birthright Israel runs the trip to Israel in part through providers like Penn Hillel, which helps to organize group trips among Penn students.

"I think that Birthright is an amazing opportunity for Jewish students who have wanted to travel to Israel ... but haven't been able to get there on a peer group in the past," Golan said.

Penn Hillel has been participating in the Birthright Israel program since 1999. The Israeli government, federations and donators also help to fund the trip.

Students who go on Penn's Birthright Israel trip spend the 10 days in Israel guided by an itinerary that includes a trip to Masada, Golan Heights, the Western Wall, the Dead Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and a meeting with Israeli peers.

College freshman Miriam Nogradi participated in the program in December.

"I tried to go in the past a few times, but all of my previous trips were canceled, so it was extra special that I was going in December," Nogradi said, praising the program for expanding student opportunities.

"It was probably the best trip that I could have possibly gone on to Israel for my first time. The people I went with from Penn were amazing, and experiencing the land and all the sites for the first time with them was incredible ... . It just made me want to go back many more times, and it kinda created sort of a spiritual connection for me with Israel," she added.

Nogradi said that despite the security concerns in the area, the program was still something that she enjoyed.

"In terms of security ... nothing in this world today is 100 [percent] secure. Hillel and Birthright Israel together take many, many precautions before [and] during the trip is in place," Golan said, adding, "Birthright Israel is in touch with Israeli security organizations ... . There are guards that travel with the groups at all times. The itineraries are never public knowledge and are subject to change depending on security situations in an area that a trip would travel to in Israel."

Nogradi said she felt secure on the trip and felt that Penn took necessary precautions to ensure that the group remained safe.

The program's reach is expanding, with other students planning to participate in a trip this May.

"I had a couple of friends who went on the trip with Penn in December, and they had such a great time. When they came back ... they talked all about it and said such amazing things," said College freshman Tracey Liebman, who signed up for the spring trip.

Liebman added that the Birthright trips are particularly convenient because they are scheduled during University breaks.

"I definitely want to go there to support Israel, but I think overall it should be a great experience learning and making friends, especially people from Penn who care about going, and I think it would be great to experience it through the Birthright trip," she said.

Although student responses to the trips are varied, Nogradi said that one of her favorite parts of the trip was visiting Mount Masada.

"When I was walking down, just seeing the mountain and all the surroundings ... right in front of you, it's sort of this overpowering feeling."

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