In appreciation for JNF’s help with SPME’s fund-raising needs through our “cooperative-venture agreement” with JNF, SPME contributed to subsidize one of the 200 young adults from the US and Canada that participated in this year’s JNF Alternative Spring Break, this year in the Negev desert to help beautify and develop Israel’s south as part of JNF’s Blueprint Negev program.
Two students who participated in the program offered their thanks to donors to SPME. Ben wrote, “Dear Dr. Beck, Thank you so much for granting me this opportunity to experience in a new light….” Ryan wrote, “…your generous gift has allowed me to further my connection with the land of Israel….”
The program for 18-30 year olds who have already visited Israel was developed by Rabbi Eric Lankin, Chief of Institutional Advancement and Education at the JNF to offer participants a chance to work on projects associated in the Negev such as: Ayalim, a non-profit organization in Dimona; New Spirit, a student volunteer group; Table to Table, which harvests and ships donated crops to poor families; Shorashim, a Chicago based non-profit that promotes Israel education and volunteer opportunities; and the Or Movement in Be’er Sheva, which helps people relocate to the Negev. To view an MTV piece on YouTube on the 2007 Alternative Spring Break when students went to Northern Israel to help after the 2007 Israeli-Lebanon war, click here .
SPME President Ed Beck, commented, ” We are indebted to JNF for its assistance with development which allows us to generate scholarship, university based chapters and concentrate on what we as professors are best at professionally. It is a huge help.” President Beck also acknowledged JNF’s partnership help in the Faculty Fellowship to Israel Summer Institute Program which will commence this June with 15 scholars spending two weeks visiting faculty at major universities in Israel- a faculty to-faculty program.
If you would like to help SPME and help support some of JNF educational projects as well, please l click here for more information.