Students Embark on IsraeLinks

Chabad on Campus’ IsraeLinks, a 3 week educational adventure in Israel for Jewish students, embarked on their trip Thursday from New York’s JFK airport.

2 trips of 40 students will be exploring “our Land, our People and our Heritage” this summer.

The students will review ancient and contemporary materials, explore historical attractions, take part in discussions about Judaism, as well as discover firsthand the social, religious and political composition of the Holy Land.

“It is designed to connect the students to the past, present and future of the Jewish people and bring it to life through a comprehensive learning and touring experience of Israel,” said Rabbi Yossy Gordon, Executive Vice President of Chabad on Campus International Foundation, sponsor of Israelinks.

The trip is directed by Rabbi Yossi and Chaya Witkes, and led by Shluchim at Duke University Rabbi Zalman and Yehudis Bluming, and Cornell Shliach Rabbi Eli Silberstein.

Guest speakers include Rabbi Yossi Swerdlov of Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl, author Rabbi Doron Kornbluth and Anita Tucker.

They will also hear from political leaders, media mavens and activists such as Gil Hoffman of The Jerusalem Post and the David Project.

The group will be visiting Mayanot Yeshiva, historically significant and holy places in the north and center of Israel, and will be based in the holy cities of Jerusalem and Tzfat.

Logistical aspects of the trip are being coordinated by Rabbi Chaim Notik and his wife.

A second Israelinks trip is planned for the end of the summer and will be led by Rabbi Zalman and Miriam Lipskar and the internationally acclaimed educator and orator Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson.