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This summer, 20 Dartmouth students will be participating in "Israel 2000" -- a program that enables Jewish college students who have never been to Israel to visit the Jewish Holy Land for free.
The program, which was started earlier this year in January and is funded by Hillel International, is aimed at providing students who are not particularly engaged in the Jewish community, with a meaningful and spiritual Jewish experience.
President of Hillel at Dartmouth, Nicole Leiser '02, expressed excitement that Dartmouth students will be able to participate in the program.
"It's just an incredible opportunity," Leiser said about the trip, that would ordinarily cost approximately 3,000 dollars.
On their ten day tour from June 12 to 22, Dartmouth students will tour the country, explore the ancient city of Jerusalem, go hiking, learn Israeli dancing and meet other Israeli students.
According to Jesse Cook-Dubin '01, vice-chair of Hillel International Board of Directors, however, the crux of the program -- that was initiated by two Jewish philanthropists -- is for the students to stay in Jerusalem and connect with their Jewish heritage.
"The significance of the trip to Dartmouth students is immeasurable," Cook-Dubin said, adding it will help "in creating a sense of peoplehood" among the Jews.
The Dartmouth Hillel has formed a six people selection committee comprising of Ethan Levine '03, Rebecca Kurzweil '03, Rabbi Edward Boraz, Ehud Benor, associate professor of religion, Leiser and Cook-Dubin to review student applications to participate in the trip.
They have already received approximately 45 applications and expect to receive a few more by tomorrow.
Encouraging more Jewish students to apply, Leiser said, "We want every student to know that they have a chance to go."
The selection committee plans to review all applications, interview the candidates and make their final decisions by April 10.