Aug 2, 2006 -- Ten undergraduate students—five women from Stern College and five men from Yeshiva College—spent their summer working in a community service project in the Negev in Israel. During the four-week program, called Counterpoint Israel, the students had many opportunities to reach out to underprivileged Israelis and learn the importance of advocating for social justice. Click here to view more more photos of YU students working in the Negev. “Counterpoint Israel fulfills a vision of Yeshiva University that fosters leadership laboratories for students to learn how to change the world and become future Jewish leaders in Israel and abroad,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, dean of YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF). The center sponsored the program in cooperation with local municipalities and Meir Panim, a humanitarian organization known for running soup kitchens and enhancing quality of life for thousands of Israelis. Meir Panim is providing room and board for the students throughout their stay in Israel. Beginning July 4, the students spent a week restoring Dimona in Meir Panim’s Rebuilding Communities Project. They built a playground for children of one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, cleaned streets, and renewed the face of the town with volunteers from the Israel Defense Forces, the police and fire departments, and the local electric company. “This is the first time I’ve come to Israel to work the land,” said Victoria Stone, SCW ’08. “It has been very meaningful and I do feel that we are making a difference.” Over the following three weeks, the students ran a summer camp for teens from Yerucham, with the assistance of three Israeli counselors. The camp’s curriculum was designed to give teens tools to deal with adolescent issues such as peer pressure, low self-esteem, and setting goals. The program was conducted in cooperation with a local English teacher to encourage teens to improve their English language skills to help them succeed in the professional lives. At the closing ceremony and awards evening, Yerucham Mayor Amram Mitzna spoke passionately about his appreciation to YU for their commitment to building Israel, Yerucham, and the broader Diaspora/Israel relationship. Having benefited from the multi-faceted training program, campers applied their new skills by planning a special day of activities for underprivileged children in nearby Sderot. “It’s an overwhelming feeling to be of service to the Israeli community,” said Shmueli Perkel YC ’08. “I am so much richer from this experience and feel closer to our brothers and sisters here in Israel.” Upon their return home, the YU students are better equipped with leadership skills to teach and promote chesed activities (charitable deeds) in local schools and communities.