Enrollment in the Hillel-sponsored Birthright Israel program has plummeted since its inception three years ago, dropping from 60 students in 2000 to only three this year. Once attractive to Tufts students as a cost-free opportunity to visit Israel over winter break, rising security concerns have led to a dramatic decrease in enrollment nationwide.
Rabbi Jeffrey Summitt lamented the drop. "Unfortunately, with the increase of terrorism, the number of students choosing to participate has dropped," he said.
Over 22,000 people have participated in the program, which aims to send 100,000 youth to Israel free of charge over the next five years. Any Jewish person between the ages of 18 and 26 is eligible to participate, as long as he or she has not traveled to Israel on a previous "peer educational" trip.
Freshman Ben Rubenstein understands students' concerns about traveling to Israel. "Although I would like to travel to Israel, the current situation there would make me hesitate," he said.
Rubenstein's feelings are reflective of the majority of students, Summitt said. "Less people are travelling to the Middle East."
Some past participants, however, say they would not be deterred by security concerns. Tal Unrad, who participated in the program two years ago, said that he would return "without hesitation" if given the opportunity.
Jason Farbiarz, one of this year's three participants, also said that security was not a concern during the trip. "I didn't imagine that they would have a trip that didn't have security as a priority," he said.
Lauren Bloom, Hillel's Program Director, went to Israel in January of 2001. She said that Birthright Israel's consistent focus on security has been maintained and enhanced in the face of escalating violence in the region.
"I would say that the most drastic change has been in the locations," she said. Overnight stays in the heart of Jerusalem were moved to more remote areas with tighter security. When she traveled to Israel last year, a complex network of people ensured that student bus routes were safe. The group was also accompanied by an armed guard at all times.
The program adheres to criteria based on the Israeli school system's parameters for fieldtrips. As long as Israeli schoolchildren are allowed to travel on fieldtrips, Birthright Israel will be considered safe to continue.
Hillel has been cooperating with Birthright Israel since the program's inception three years ago. "The Birthright trips have been profound educational experiences for our students," said Summitt. "Students have been able to see Israel from many different political and social perspectives."
The program's stated goal is to "diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world." Other aims include strengthening solidarity between Israeli and Diaspora youth, increasing the number of return visits to Israel, and maintaining Israel's role as a resource for Jewish learning.
The national Hillel Foundation for Jewish Campus Life organizes the trip - one of many offered by the umbrella organization Birthright Israel.
Millionaires Charles R. Bronfman and Michael H. Steinhardt initiated Birthright Israel. The program is offered through the joint efforts of leading philanthropists, Israeli citizens, and the Israeli government. The United Jewish Communities in North America, Keren HaYesod outside of North America, and The Jewish Agency for Israel are a few of the global Jewish communities that have also worked to further the program.
