Penn students head to Israel despite outbreak of violence

While the rash of violence that has broken out in the Middle East this fall has slowed visits to the region, 56 Penn students remain unfazed as they prepare for a free 10-day trip to the country over winter break. Birthright Israel, the group sponsoring the trip, and Penn Hillel, which organizes the tour, have said that the excursion will continue despite unrest in the Middle East. Penn was originally allocated 65 spots on the trip, plus alternate spaces. But almost 30 students, including alternates, dropped out of the program after the violence began in late September. Around 300 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank of Israel since fighting began. And now Israel also faces inner political turmoil as February's special election for prime minister approaches. Ami Hoffman, the local coordinator of Birthright Israel said the group from Penn is looking forward to the trip overseas. "My understanding is that the people who have had concerns have dropped out already," Hoffman said. "The people who are going now are feeling very confident about it." The Birthright Israel program grants college students across America the chance to explore the Middle East every year, noting that a Jewish journey to Israel is their "birthright." So far, Hillel has taken many precautions to guarantee the safety of students, including a safety meeting with the students and security briefings. "We are in constant contact with the police, the army and the Ministry of Education in Israel," Hoffman said. Most students planning on taking the trip said they trust the organization to keep them safe. College senior Kim Rogoff, who is going to Israel with the group, said that she has been wanting to travel to Israel for a while and that the Middle East crisis is not going to alter her decision. "I don't really have any doubts," she said. "I'm excited to go. I think its an amazing opportunity, especially to go with other college students." Other students also feel that the risk in touring Israel is minimal, stating their confidence in Birthright Israel. "They're going to take it day by day," College sophomore Cheryl Isaac said. "I was definitely nervous, as were my parents. But [the organizers] really allayed my fears because they were speaking with people in Israel at the time." Isaac added that given the circumstances, the itinerary will be flexible. "We're staying away from the West Bank," Isaac said. And College sophomore Sarah Jordan said she is more worried about getting to Israel than spending time there. "I hate flying, so I am more worried about the flight there," she said. For other students, however, the possible danger is too great. College senior Yana Pechersky, for one, will not take the trip. "I didn't really want to be in the middle of it," she said. "I didn't want to take the risk." Her parents, like many others, felt uncomfortable with the idea of the trip, according to Pechersky and organizers. Rabbi Bonnie Goldberg, the associate executive director of Greater Philadelphia Hillel, said she understands concerns but is not troubled about safety at the present time. "We're paying attention to security," she said. Goldberg also pointed out that students visiting Israel during this crisis will get a rare perspective. "The students will be exposed to what's going on in Israel from the moment they arrive, and they'll get the chance to see how Israel understands the situation both politically and emotionally," she said.