Name: Samuel Spencer
Program: Shalem - Young Judea
Age: 18
Hometown: Woodbridge, Connecticut  Samuel Spencer, who graduated from Amity Regional Senior High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut, was looking for a gap year program where he could immerse himself in a Jewish environment while studying, touring Israel and volunteering. "The Young Judaea Shalem program is a perfect fit," says Spencer, in Jerusalem. "I'm learning how to grow as a man and as Jew."
Women's issues, Zionism, Holocaust are among the subjects he's studying in his Judaism coursework. "These classes make me realize how complicated the threads are that make up Israel" says Spencer. "But it's not theoretical in Israel. You can't understand the tension between the secular, religious, Arab and Jews unless you come here to see it with your own eyes." He particularly likes the traditional, interactive study style, "As students we are able to argue with the Rabbi, ask questions and reform our own ideas, just like students in the past." Twice a week Samuel volunteers at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA), a non-profit think tank for Israeli policy research and education. He researches varying topics; a recent one was cyber terrorism. He works with Israeli experts, editing and revising the English. "I'm learning a lot about the complexity of Israeli society," he says. Samuel had been enjoying the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat in different places around the country. Looking to the spring he is excited to celebrate Passover in Israel. Samuel plans to go to the Kotel and join in the priestly blessings for the holiday, "I've heard people jam in the small courtyard from all over the world, I want to share this experience with the Jewish community." After the program ends Samuel will begin his undergraduate studies in a joint program at Columbia and the Jewish Theological Seminary. "My time in Israel has helped me realize how important the Jewish state is to Judaism. It has inspired me to possibly lead my life in Israel down the road."
Name: Cincinatti Lieberman
Program: Shalem - Young Judaea
Age: 18
Hometown: Charleston, West Virginia  The semester she spent in Israel in high school lit a fire in Cincinnati Lieberman. She needed to come back for a longer stay. The Charleston, West Virginia teen had also become more religiously observant. She was seeking a program in which she could explore her Jewish roots and experience Israel. So Lieberman signed up for the Shalem track of Hadassah's Young Judaea Year Course "I'm newly religious so I didn't want to go to a seminary where you study most of the day. I wanted a more comfortable experience." Shalem was the perfect fit, she could study, v
"My favorite course is Jewish Thought. There's a set curriculum but the teacher lets us talk about any issues we are grappling with. We are shown the sources and texts that discuss these issues in order to help us really understand the root of the issues" says Lieberman. An example discussed in class was the issue of modesty for women which has received media attention in recent months. "In Israel, many religious women only wear skirts. Together, with our teacher, we concluded that skirts do not show one's figure as much but pants are just as fine as long as they aren't too tight. We look at Judaism from different perspectives." Seeing issues from different sides extends to the touring and lectures, too. "In Hebron, we heard from Right and Left. The trips have opened me up to issues I have never been exposed to. I really appreciated the interactive learning we have been able to participate in." Two days a week, Lieberman volunteers at the Lone Soldier Center established in memory of fellow-American Michael Levin. Her responsibilities include organizing events for the soldiers who have come on their own to serve in the IDF, writing thank you notes to donors and phoning soldiers and volunteers to invite them to future events. Her favorite job is being the event photographer. Her photos appear in mailings and publicity for the non-profit organization. "I have met interesting soldiers and employees of the Lone Soldier Center, I have learned about the army and how it functions and what services the Lone Soldiers need. They are here alone, and it feels so rewarding to be able to provide them with furniture, apartments, meals and hospitality for the holidays" Lieberman says. Next will be a stint in Kibbutz Yavne, a religious farming commune with a dairy, poultry and orchard near the coastal city of Ashdod. Cincinnati is looking forward to spending three weeks at the kibbutz with her fellow Shalem participants as they work the land of the Israel. "The program has given me a better understanding of Judaism and the Jewish people," she said. Future plans? "I have deferred from Virginia Tech. I'm still interested in going to college in the States in the future, but I am also looking into different ways to stay in Israel including doing a year of national service, Sherut Leumi." Cincinnati is considering her options, "One step at a time."
Name: Lee Propp
Program: Shalem - Young Judaea
Age: 18
Hometown: Toronto, Canada  When Lee Propp from Toronto, Canada graduated from high school she wanted to take a gap year in Israel before beginning college at York University. "I wanted more than a seminary. I didn't want to sit in class all day. I wanted to come to Israel, explore Israel and get to know Israel." Lee heard about the Young Judaea Shalem program, which combines study, volunteering and touring and it seemed like a good choice for her. She also signed up for the Olami track, with study tours from Israel to diverse Jewish communities though out the year.
These days, you'll find her peeling, chopping, cooking and serving food to the poor and elderly at a Jerusalem soup kitchen and working with severely disabled children at a group home. "I love being able to help. Both with the elderly and the children, I can see the results of my work and get almost instant gratification. The boy I work with is unable to talk or do anything for himself but when I sit with him he smiles and is in a better mood because I am there, which in the end, makes us both happy." Her favorite class has been Medical Ethics. "We're covering a wide range of topics and learning that there are divergent opinions within Judaism. I found the texts and our discussion on euthanasia fascinating." As an Olami participant she has already visited Paris and Prague, and Morocco. Soon she'll travel to Ethiopia. "I was so surprised at how beautiful Paris and Prague were, especially the synagogues, but it was strange to see how anti-Semitism is affecting the Jewish community in Paris. No one wore kippot and the Jewish quarter was sectioned off," recalled Propp. Visiting Morocco in November was the first time Lee experience culture shock. "You go to the market in Marrakesh and there are snack charmers, monkeys and people riding donkeys in the street." Propp is enjoying her travels, "Its been an experience to see other places where Jewish history took place and where it still exists, but I never realized how easy I had it living in a country that just accepts all people, especially Jews. This year has helped me figure out where I want to be Jewishly in life and to be more independent." | 
