Jane Diener, Atlanta
My name is Jane, I am from Atlanta, Georgia and I am going into my senior year at Northview High School where I will be Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper and active in a few school clubs. I am volunteering this summer because I love working with children, getting to know new people and capturing incredible moments on camera. I know that the next few weeks will be absolutely incredible and that all nine of us will have an amazing time.
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Jonathan Eisen, St. Louis
Hey everyone! My name is Jonathan Eisen and I am originially from St. Louis, Missouri. I am 19 years old and currently a rising sophomore at the University of Kansas studying Political Science. This is my first time in Israel and I have already been here for seven weeks! I started out by traveling on Birthright-Oranim which was an amazing experience. Because this is my first time to Israel, I feel as though Birthright was my "orientation" to the country. Immediatly arriving in Yokneam, I felt a sense of community. As a group we have been able to experience many different cultural aspects of the city. I especially have felt a special connection because 10 years ago, my family hosted four boys from the region for the 1996 JCC Maccabi games in St. Louis. This was the first time that the Partnership 2000 had sent Israeli teens to compete for the St. Louis delegation. During my stay here, I have been able to reconnect with not only two of the boys that stayed at my house, but also many other athletes that have also been connected through the Yokneam-St. Louis partnership. This has really been a special week for me and I am glad to be able to make these connections after 10 years! I am really excited to finish my summer excursion in Yokneam and I already know that this has been the best summer of my life! Making new friends from Atlanta, reconnecting with old friends in Israel, hanging out with the Israeli staff, and being able to be a crucial part in an Israeli child's life are all different examples of how special my time in Yokneam has been. I am grateful I was able to become an ambassador for the partnership and I hope that my work with the delegations will be one that will last.
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Elyse Miller, Atlanta
My name is Elyse Miller. I am 20 years old and from Atlanta, Ga. I am going into my third year at University of Hartford. I am studing psychology and education. I felt that coming to Israel through the partnership would be a great opprotunity. I have not only been able to expand my knowledge of children but at the same time connect with my Jewish idenity. This is my second time having the opprotunity to be in Israel.
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Elizabeth Gartenberg, St. Louis
My name is Elizabeth Gartenberg. I am originally from St. Louis and am entering my Junior year at Miami University in Oxford Ohio. I am an Interdisciplinary Studies Major with a focus in Pediatric nutrition specifially in the Middle East. I have always had a strong connection with Israel and wanted to strengthen my relationship witht eh country and the people. My experience thus far with the camp in Yokneam has provided me with a unique perspective when veiwing the lifestyles of the youth in Israel.
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Avital Ludomirsky, St. Louis
My name is Avital Ludomirsky and I'm from St. Louis, MO. Next year I am going to be a freshman at Princeton University. The reason I'm volunteering in Kefiada has a lot to do with my love and passion for Israel. With Israeli parents, my connection to Israel has always been incredibly strong. While I live in America, I do not consider myself completely American. I hope that being a part of this experience will simply increase my love for Israel and my desire to return.
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Colette Bernstein, Atlanta
My name is Colette Bernstein and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. Currently I am a student at Indiana University, where I am studying vocal performance and Jewish studies. This is my first time in Israel and I have only been pleased! I am studying Hebrew in school, and making sure to practice every chance I get. Someday I hope to become a Cantor for a reform temple.
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Morgan Amsler, Atlanta
My name is Morgan Amsler, I'm 16 years old and I'm from Atlanta, GA. I'm Rising Senior at The Paideia School. I love working both working with kids and being in Israel. This was the perfect way to combine these two affinities. I enjoy playing baseball, playing guitar and bass, and Israel!
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Nick Desloge, St. Louis
My name is Nick Desloge, I'm an incoming freshman at Syracuse University. I come from a suburb of St. Louis. I enjoy spending my time playing sports, enjoying the arts, or giving back to the community in the form of social justice. This is my first trip to Israel and I love everything about the country - especially the Kineret. My plans for the future consist of becoming a social entrepreneur and helping to break down the social barriers that divide every one.
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Rachel Ball, St. Louis
Hi, my name is Rachel Ball from St. Louis, MO. During the year I study psychology and elementary education at Saint Louis University as I go into my senior year. Though I have traveled to Israel before with Birthright, I have experienced this trip not as a tour, but a bridge to connect Yokneam, Saint Louis, and Atlanta together.
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Tania Eshel, Kefiada Coordinator, Partnership 2000
My name is Tania Eshel and I am the coordinator of the group. This means that I am the luckiest of all as I have the opportunity to get to know each volunteer individually and to help them to fulfill their aims while they are here in Yokneam-Megiddo. I recently returned to Israel with my husband and two young children after spending five years working as Hillel Director in Sydney Australia. I am happy to share this amazing experience with such an incredible group of people and I wish each of them a heartfilled Yeshar Coach for the great work they are doing!
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