Evidence that the experience of an actual visit helps shape a positive attitude towards Israel among Jewish teenagers was presented today at the annual meeting of the B’nai B’rith Youth Commission, adult policy group for the 43, 000-member B’nai B’rith youth organization.
The study, testing the sentiments of youngsters who have participated in BBYO’s seven-week summer seminars in Israel, shows that in virtually every instance they expressed warmer feelings about Israel after their first-hand experiences of visiting Israel.
David M. Blumberg of Knoxville, re-elected to his fourth one-year term as commission chairman, reported that a comparison of teenage attitudes before and after participation in the seminars, indicates a 19 percent increase in the belief that “Jews the world over should do their best for Israel.” There is also strong sentiment for such beliefs as “every Jew should visit Israel,” and “Israel’s affairs affect Jews everywhere,” Mr. Blumberg said.
“It is clear that among the young people who participated in the study, loyalties toward Israel were reinforced, new ties made and old ones strengthened by these brief visits,” he declared. The continuing study, now in its fifth year, is being coordinated by Dr. Irving Canter of Washington, BBYO program director.
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