7761 Americans, 43 Percent Increase over Last Year, to Leave for Israel This Summer

An increase of over 43 percent in the number of Americans leaving for Israel this summer to participate in work-study programs sponsored by the Jewish Agency for Israel brings the record breaking number for this year up to 7761 individuals, as against 5421 last year. They will leave during the two month period, June 15 to August 15, according to Isadore Hamlin, executive director of the Jewish Agency-American Section, to participate in 72 Jewish Agency projects in Israel. Of this number, 5686 are enrolled in summer work-tour projects and 1385 are enrolled in programs of from six months to one year duration. The great number of the participants in the Jewish Agency programs are high school and college youth, numbering 7071. The 690 participating adults are for the most part Jewish educators and communal workers. It is estimated that another 3000 American youths will be in Israel on their own, or on tours sponsored by other major American Jewish organizations, and American and Israel educational institutions. “The increased registration of Americans in Jewish Agency programs in Israel,” Hamlin said, “is undoubtedly a reflection of the ever-growing interest in Israel and, in particular, of American Jewish youth seeking to have a personal experience there.” Continuing, Hamlin observed: “As was the case last year, we had to halt registration for a number of the programs that involve kibbutz living, if not for the entire summer, at least for a few weeks. This is a reflection of the idealism of the American youngsters registering for these summer work-tour programs.”