United Synagogue Sends Fifty-One Students to Israel on the NATIV Program

On Monday, September 8, 2003, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) sent fifty-one college-age students to Israel as participants in the NATIV program. This is the second largest NATIV group sent to Israel since the program began in 1980.

As the year-long college leadership program in Israel for the Conservative Movement, NATIV offers participants a year between high school and college working on a kibbutz, studying at Hebrew University or the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva, traveling throughout Israel and engaging in special religious and leadership training experiences.

Operated under the auspices of the USCJ’s Department of Youth Activities, NATIV is a unique program for United Synagogue Youth (USY) graduates who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership skills.

Jules Gutin, Director of the Department of Youth Activities, notes that “many high school graduates choose to postpone college for a year to pursue alternative educational, work or travel experiences. NATIV offers all three components in one excellent program.”

USCJ International President, Judy Yudof, remarked “For the first time, we will have representation from 16 USY regions. Forty-three students will study at the Hebrew University and eight students will study at the Conservative Yeshiva.”

Almost half of the North American students studying at the Rothberg School of Hebrew University are NATIV participants.

This month also witnessed the ninth anniversary of the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Forty-five students are currently enrolled in this traditional, co-educational institution, in which they acquire the skills and knowledge needed for a lifelong pursuit of independent Torah study.

For information on NATIV, contact Yossi Garr, Central Shaliah, United Synagogue Youth, 212-533-7800, ext. 2321.