The Birthright Israel program, in conjunction with the Hillel Jewish Center, recently sent 20 University students on a 10-day trip to Israel, a place of political turmoil.
The Birthright Israel program is a national movement to give every Jewish student between the ages of 18 and 26 the opportunity to travel to Israel over the next five years at no expense to the student.
The University group teamed up with more than 5,000 Jewish students from all over the world. Birthright Israel traveled to Jerusalem, the Masada, the Dead Sea and Tel Aviv during the 10-day stay.
The University's local Hillel Jewish Center received more than 70 applications, yet many students concerned for their safety dropped out of the program only days before the group departed on Jan. 2.
In the weeks before the students' trip, widespread violence including a bus bombing occurred in Tel Aviv, which heightened the fears of the Birthright Israel participants.
"Five people didn't even show up at the airport," Hillel program director Shelby Apple said.
But the 20 University students participating and Apple, the group leader, said they found Israel to be incredibly safe.
"I feel like it's more dangerous to walk down Rugby Road at night than it is in Israel," said third-year College student and participant Jennifer Sager.
At a Birthright event in Jerusalem, University students shook hands with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Apple said.
"He was right next to us," fourth-year College student Lisa Bowen said. "His speaking to us was very welcoming."
While the streets of Jerusalem remained calm, a guard and medic accompanied the group at all times to ensure their safety in areas that have experienced violence.
Later during the trip, the group met with eight college-age soldiers.
"Some of their best friends are Palestinian," Sager said. "Some people think the Palestinians and Jews hate each other and it's not that at all."
Apple said the trip was an amazing experience for both her and the 20 students who had never visited the Holy Land.
"The program isn't just about really religious Jewish people," Apple said. "We wanted people who weren't so involved to have the opportunity."
Funding for the program comes from philanthropic Jewish Federations, the Israel-based Keven Hayesod organization and the Jewish Agency of Israel for combined efforts of $210 million. The money will allow the program to continue for five years.
The number of Jewish students able to participate within a given college community is based on the Jewish population. The University was awarded 20 slots for a Jewish population of approximately 1800, Apple said.
Apple said she hopes to petition for 40 spots for next year's trip.
"The University had the biggest group from Virginia this year," Apple said. George Mason, the University of Richmond, the College of William and Mary and Virginia Tech also participated in the trip.
The Birthright program expects 10,000 students to participate in the 2001 session.
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