Ensuring an Israel experience for all
THE who’s who of the community came together at JewishCare last week for the launch of Youth 2 Israel (Y2i), which aims to send 375 students to Israel every year.
THE who’s who of the community came together at JewishCare last week for the launch of Youth 2 Israel (Y2i), which aims to send 375 students to Israel every year.
The initiative – backed by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, United Israel Appeal, Jewish National Fund and JCA – will provide vouchers worth $5000 to give year 10 students in NSW, Queensland and the ACT an opportunity to join Israel programs at an affordable cost.
Speaking at the launch, Y2i chairman Jeremy Dunkel said that travelling to Israel during year 10 is the “optimal way to solidify a sustainable Jewish identity”.
“The experience not only elevates their chances of marrying Jews, but also promotes attachment to the Jewish community, to Jewish organisations and, of course, to Israel itself,” he said.
“With attendance at Jewish day schools hovering around the 50 per cent mark, the challenge for our community is an urgent and vital one.”
Dunkel said Y2i aims to raise $15 million in the initial phase of its Endowment Appeal, which will start at the end of October.
“We are off to a flying start with the Education Heritage Foundation and Mervyn Basserabie already having pledged $5.4 million,” he said.
ECAJ president Robert Goot, who also spoke at the launch, described Y2i as “truly exciting”, adding that it is “a game changer that will ensure that an Israel education experience will be available to all who seek it”.
EVAN ZLATKIS
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