Local resources for students seeking gap year’ programs

We enjoyed reading the articles in the July 24 edition on “gap year” programs in Israel and initiatives in California integrating Israel education into curriculums. We thought your readers would want to know about the programs that are helping St. Louis students in both of these areas.

The Central Agency for Jewish Education’s (CAJE) Israel Experience Center, funded by a grant from the Jewish Federation, provides a number of services for young adults seeking gap year learning experiences. Karen Rader, director of the Center, has information on a wide range of programs and works to ensure a perfect fit of program to student. Because the number of programs grows each year, working with a professional like Karen will ensure participants have access to a broad range of programs. Several funding options are available. St. Louis students who have not used their Passport to Israel Savings funds may use them for these programs. In addition, Federation, through CAJE, has scholarship opportunities available.

San Francisco’s BASIS program is an excellent example of the work the Chicago-based iCenter has done with Jewish LearningWorks, their central agency. Our central agency, CAJE, is involved in another Israel Education program in a joint venture between the iCenter, CAJE and area congregational schools. Funded by Federation, this program is training our congregational educators to be Israel education resources in their communities.

We encourage students, parents and educators to find out more about these programs and the many other ways CAJE and Federation work together to enhance and improve Jewish education in St. Louis at www.caje.org and www.jfedstl.org.

Sonia Dobinsky, Executive Director, Central Agency for Jewish Education

Andrew Rehfeld, President and CEO, Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Obstacles to peace

Ephraim Sneh and Robert Lifton quote a 53 percent approval for a two state solution on the Palestinian side (July 17 Op-Ed, “Jewish leaders should be vocal in backing Kerry’s mission”). Poll results for this have been anywhere from 30 percent to 60 percent, which might depend upon the wording of the question. When Alan Dershowitz asked an audience of Israeli and Palestinian supporters the question, “Who supports an Arab state and a Jewish state existing in peace?” most of the Israeli supporters raised their hands, while most of the Palestinian supporters did not.

The true obstacle in the peace process is Arab unwillingness to allow a Jewish state of any size to exist. The Palestinians have a culture that is saturated in anti-Semitism, embracing terrorists, teaching hatred of Jews, and continuing incitement against Israel. 

The idea that any Israeli concession can mitigate this situation is false. While the article offered no specifics, release of terrorists and concessions of territory are the usual demands for the Israeli government. The results of this policy have always failed.

It is time for the world to recognize the continual demonization of Israel is not just background noise, but the cause of the current stalemate. It is not the timid behavior of American Jews towards Israel, it is the timid response to Arab hatred that blocks an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

Laura Goldmeier, Creve Coeur