Weekly Updates

Dear USY,

This is going to be the first of 8 USY High updates to let all of you know about the incredible program and the experiences that I am having in Israel right now along with 15 other people. First, I am Shoshie Sprague from CHUSY Region and I am on the USY Israel Affairs Commitee and in Israel right now on USY High.

For those of you who don't know, USY High is a two month program in Israel for Juniors and Seniors during which we not only tour Israel but also take classes and have the experience of living in Israel. We stay in Jerusalem at the Goldstein Youth Village and travel throughout the country as well.

Today is our first actual day so this email is pretty short. Yesterday our first stop was Har Hatzofim, Mt. Scopus, where we saw an absolutely breathtaking view of Jerusalem. I have been to Israel three times already with my family but this was just a very powerful experience to see the entire city that would be my home for the next two months along with my new friends. Then we arrived at our dorm, unpacked and moved in.

Today has been a busy day with orientation and we even began our first class, the ICC (Israel Core Course) during which we are learning all about Jewish History. So far it is incredible and I am really looking forward to learning a lot. (Our secular classes begin next week).

That is basically it for now but I am already enjoying the program and being in Israel. If you have any questions or just want to say hi feel free to email me - I would love to hear from you.

B'Ahavat Tzion,

Shoshie Sprague,
Israel Affairs IGB