The MZ Teen Israel Internship is a new national leadership program for Jewish teens returning from summer Israel experiences. Read more about the MZ Teen Israel Internship and read their blog below.
Outside of blogging for a minneapolis Jewish blog www.TCjewfolk.com, i started my own blog! http://eyestandwithisrael.wordpress.com/. Here is my first post:
My name is Sarah Ungerman. My love for Israel began in 2006 when my parents brought me for my Bat Mitzvah gift. Since then, i have been back two more times and have found myself to be attached to the land. Its beauty, history, and culture make Israel my peaceful abode.
I have been working on planning a program called the Blue and White Bowl. It is a fundraiser that raises money for an organization in Israel (I still haven't figured out which). It will be mainly for BBYO members, but the community will be welcome to come as well. It is going to be a competition of flag football between different teams. In addition there will be music, food, and raffles. I also would like to add a component that would be more appealing to girls who don't want to play flag football. I am looking forward to working on more of it.
The project I have been working on is part of the NCSY Israel Advocacy program. I was in charge of bringing the fundraiser to my region and seeing that we made the most money possible. This year, we are trying to raise money for boys in Israel who can’t afford Tefillin. This is important so that after their Bar Mitzvah, they can have the Tefillin so they can daven. I decided the best way to get people to work hard to raise money was to make it a contest between chapters. Everyone is working hard to beat their friends and is raising a lot more money in the heat of the competition.
Over the past year, Israel has become my passion, especially after my summer in Israel. Because of that, I wish to spread my knowledge about Israel. Through this I realized the only way to spread my passion about Israel to others is to incorporate it in another passion of mine, Keshet. Keshet, which in Hebrew means rainbow, is a program for people who have special needs. Every sunday I volunteer on a one-on-one basis with someone who has special needs. Every Sunday we learn new Jewish traditions and culture. But these teachings are dry.
Hi Guys! I hope you are all coming along with your projects and wish you all the best! Over the past five months, I have been selling NU Campaign T-shirts in my community. I started by spreading the word through this video just to get people involved. I highly suggest that all of you participate in this project! I started by posting photos of the T-shirts on my Facebook wall just to see if there was any interest. I has an EXTREMLY positive turnout!
For my project, I've been working on planning BBYO's Midwest Israel Seminar. Chicago is so proud to be hosting this inter-regional convention that will educate nearly 100 Jewish teens about the Jewish homeland.
Our goals for the program are similar to the MZ Teen iConnect with Israel program:
Over the past few months, I have been working on developing a website for Israel advocacy and to promote Israel travel titled 6 Million Strong. The website will have 2 parts. The first piece is a pledge to remember why and for whom Israel was created, support Israel in any way you can, and make an effort to travel to Israel at least once in your life with a goal of 6 million signatures. The second piece, and the main piece, is a compilation of Israel traveler's trips.
For my individual project, I have been working with an website called jchoice.org to raise money for Israeli organizations that I feel connected to. My trip to Israel (BBYO's Impact Israel) was strongly focused on community service and social action.
Over just the few weeks that we were in Israel, we met with a lot of different organizations including ones that help refugees in Tel Aviv and a camp run for underprivileged children.
As the only MZ representative from NorCal, I have been working extra hard to connect my Israel experience and love for the Holy Land to my fellow peers. First off, while in Philadelphia for my USY region’s pre-convention, prior to the USY International Convention also held in the city of brotherly love, I gave a presentation about my USY trip to Israel and the MZ Teen Internship. Using Prezi, I was able to make this a fun and engaging story for my fellow USYers.
Before leaving for Israel, I didn't fully understand the deep connection and love people have for it. I had learned a lot about Israel throughout my Jewish education, but I never felt a personal connection with the country or its people.
