Celebrating 70 Years of Year Course

Daniella Lobl, 2007-2008

Favorite memories?

“Meeting people from all over the world in Marva, seamlessly integrating into Bat Yam’s culture, taking the bus and going shopping like a true native, ulpan ulpan ulpan, waking up in the morning in Jerusalem and deciding to go camping in the Negev / Dead Sea that same day. Feeling carefree and young”

Did you find love or a life-long friendship through Year Course? 

I sure did! I met my husband, Steven Senft, in the airport in NY on Sept 2, 2007, and by the time we landed in Haaretz the next day we were an item! We have 2 kids, 5 and 2.5, and live in Boca Raton FL. We still keep in touch with a lot of YC friends and lifelong Judaeans.

Karen Zide Cohn, 1975-1976

Favorite Memory?

A pivotal year! Touring the country was amazing. Seeing the Sinai and Ras Muhammed was something I will never forget (and the monastery at Jebel Musa). Learning to speak Hebrew on Moshav Kfar Warburg, I really grew as a person. Learning about Israel, Judaism and then walking in the footsteps of history — How can I quantify that experience? It changed my life.

Notable historical moment for Israel during that time?

Israel back then was also a simpler place. No major highways crisscrossing the country. We walked through Arab villages without concern. Living there made me realize that I wanted to continue my life in Israel. After YC, I switched from an American university and enrolled at Hebrew University, where I did my BA in Archaeology and Art History. I got married there (and met my husband on YC!) and purchased my first “house” (an apartment) in Jerusalem. I lived in Israel for 6 years before returning to the US. At that time, I thought it was a temporary move back to the US, but I’m still here.

Helene Gothelf Topaz, 1977-1978

Favorite Memory?

The entire experience greatly changed my life. I made Aliyah the year after Year Course and have been here ever since. On our YC we spent time on kibbutz, moshav and then studying in Jerusalem. Each period was very special and gave us wonderful connections to the country.

Julie Kolman Powell, 1984

Favorite Memory?

Connecting and remaining in contact with my Moshav family

Gregory (Zvi) Musnikow, 1971-1972

Favorite Memory?

Feeling at home in Israel. Gaining independence. I am still in touch with a number of Year Course friends. It enabled me to decide to make aliyah.

Michael Kramer, 1970-1971

Favorite Memory?

Living in Beit Riklis on mt. Scopus learning Hebrew & Israeli culture never left the country since after year course did the army went to school married then raised a family.

Nomi (Pearlman) Burstein, 1989-1990

Favorite Memory?

Living on Mt. Scopus and being able to see and touch the history we were learning about. I am still friends with a number of my Year Course friends. Some I’ve been in touch with ever since, and some I re-found much later through social media.

Amy Drogin Schwartz, 1971-1972

Favorite Memory?

Moshav Hatzeva and Kibbutz Haterim. I made life long friendships….even if we don’t chat regularly, when we meet, it’s like we hadn’t spoken for a week.  It was a peaceful year. Israel became a part of my soul that year.

Betsy Diamant-Cohen, 1975-1976

Living in an apartment in Beit Shean *(Section 3), volunteering in the public library, and being “adopted” by a Moroccan family whose mother was the cleaning lady at the library. (p.s. When I returned to the US, I became a librarian!) I am still good friends with a few of my Year Course buddies. The funniest story was two years ago when I was in Israel visiting my sister who lives in the northern Arava on Moshav Hatseva. We decided to go to the new McDonalds in the Arava. As we were walking out, two women were walking in. One of them looked familiar and I said, “I know you.” She didn’t recognize me and it took me a minute, but then I said, “You’re Carolyn Silver. You were on Year Course with me!” What are the odds that 48 years after going on Year Course, I would meet someone from Section 3 (which was very small) in a McDonalds in the Arava dessert? Only in Israel….

Mario Zacharjasz, 1976-1977

Favorite Memory?

Section 2 at Kfar Rupin was amazing. The Ulpan was a great way to get re-introduced to Hebrew and the kibbutz was so wonderful to all of us. But my highlight was my time at Moshav Orot. I stayed with the most amazing family and was able to really experience work in a Moshav. The Greenman family has become my family. They were at my wedding, my daughter’s Bat Mitzvahs and more. We have kept in close contact ever since.

My sister Fanny Korman and my brother-in-law Roger Korman attended YC. My daughters went to sprout lake and Tel Yehudah. They did the summer programs in Israel.

I made lifelong friendships! We just had our 50th reunion in Washington DC the weekend of 11/16. Wow! it was wonderful to see everyone.

Ready to plan your Year Course reunion? Reach out at alumni@youngjudaea.org!