“The Forum was an incredible experience,” says Zohar. “I met peers who were so different from me, but through talking about issues that we all cared about, and working together as volunteers, our previous stereotypes about each other disappeared.”

Through the Young Leadership Forum, Zohar organized holiday parties for children at risk and people in the hospital. The group discussed Jewish identity, minority rights, poverty and a host of other issues. “I came from a completely non-observant home, but I met religiously observant people and I started to learn Jewish texts.”

Through Partnership 2000, Zohar and five fellow Forum participants were selected to be counselors at a three-week summer camp near Los Angeles. “I came back from this experience a changed person,” says Zohar. “I met Jewish people who practiced Judaism in such a different way than I saw in Israel. I went to synagogue, sang all the prayer songs and felt more connected to Judaism than ever before. For the first time, I saw Judaism as a culture, not just a religion.”

Zohar is now participating in the Leadership Institute at Kibbutz Ma’ayan Baruch in Northern Israel. In the summer of 2006, she will join the army as an infantry commander, training soldiers in the use of sophisticated new weapons. Following her army service, Zohar plans to study business administration and architecture at one of Israel’s universities.

“I believe that it is the little things we do in life that matter. When we help each other we become a stronger, more united society. I want to do my part.”

Written by Lisa Samin