Rabbi Lawrence Zieler is searching for methods to stimulate our youth to greater connection to the Jewish community while they are finishing their high school years and preparing to embark on college (“Mentoring The Next Generation,” Opinion, April 29). A great model already exists — the post-high-school year in Israel.
If you check out the leadership in Hillels across the country you will find a disproportionate number of leaders spent the year in Israel either in yeshivot and seminaries or the various year-course options.
Having taught in high school, served as a rabbi on a college campus and taught in Israel, I can testify to the wonders the year in Israel does to stimulate leadership skills and a profound sense of Jewish connection.
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