Over the last few years, alternative spring break programs have become an increasingly popular choice for college students, both Jewish and not, looking to make a difference in the world during their break from academia. Since 2006 the Jewish National Fund’s Alternative Spring Break program has brought more than than 800 participants to Israel for a week of service and learning, as well as the “fun in the sun” traditional to most spring breaks.
JNF’s spring break participants each raise $975 (or more) for the organization’s Blueprint Negev campaign, then spend a week learning about the southern half of the country – it’s people, cultures and the various economic and ecological challenges it faces – and then do hands-on work to help improve communities throughout the region.
We asked four JNF Alternative Spring Break alumni to share their thoughts and perspectives on how the experience impacted their thinking on tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Read more