Birthright Group Visits Judea & Samaria for First Time

Aaron Lerner Date: 8 January 2001

More than 30 Jewish students from Arizona visited the College of
Judea & Samaria in Ariel on Wednesday, December 27, 2001, as part of
the Birthright program. Funded by the Government of Israel, local
Jewish federations and leading philanthropists such as Edgar Bronfman
and Michael Steinhardt, the special program brings college-age Jews
from around the world to Israel in order to gain a better
understanding of the country's culture, society and history.

The visit also marks the first time that participants in the program
have visited areas within Judea & Samaria.

While on campus, members of the delegation were briefed by Prof. Dan
Meyerstein, College President, and Michael Stoltz, Vice President for
Development & External Affairs, about the school and its recent
development.

Dr. Alexander Bligh, Director of INSAC, the College's strategic
think-tank, also spoke to the group about the upcoming Israeli
elections and the current diplomatic process between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority.

The students later met with several of their Israeli counterparts in
an effort to learn more about life on campus and the challenges
facing those studying and living in Ariel. During the meeting, one
American student commented that he was very surprised to learn that
6,000 students attend classes at the College.

During the delegation's visit to Israel, they stayed in Ariel at the
Eshel Hashomron Hotel, despite the ongoing violence taking place in
parts of Judea & Samaria, and other areas within Israel. The owner of
the hotel, Tuvia Gelbart, helped to organize the group's itinerary,
which included several day trips to Jerusalem, the Galilee and other
parts of Israel.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director
IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-5480092
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
pager 03-6750750 subscriber 4811
Website: http://www.imra.org.il