I'm currently reading an article by Alex Pomson and Howard Deitcher evaluating Israel education in Jewish day schools. I'm hoping to shed light on how to improve Israel education at URJ Camp Coleman. The similarities between school and camp programs are surprising. Particularly, Pomson and Deitcher note that in day schools the key stone of Israel education is not formal classroom curriculum. More impactful are Israel travel programs and meeting Israelis face-to-face (having an Israeli basketball coach or exchange student, for example.)
When it comes to cultivating a love for Israel, the value of human interaction cannot be underestimated. As a younger camper at Coleman, I remember that it was never cool to have an Israeli counselor. Finally my last summer, I had an Israeli counselor who won the Coleman talent show by rapping Shaggy and Outkast. He became an overnight camp sensation. The power of a Birthright trip is well established, but the impact of meeting Israeli peers is still largely underappreciated. I've led teen and college trips to Israel, and consistently hear participants say that they liked the place but they loved the people.
How might human interaction strengthen Israel awareness on the university campus? Universities, although they are unlike the real world, are not as constructed as the camp "bubble." Students should work to create Israel programs that are more widely attractive than your typical advocacy speaker. Bring an Israeli musician to campus, or an athelete, or a fashion designer. I'd love if a student asked me to help him find a grant to bring Omri Casspi or Yael Naim to campus.
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