Brittany Chen, a member of Temple Sinai in Newington, and Charlotte Rosenbloom of the Wilton Jewish Center, are part of a cohort of 73 teens from across North America on the NFTY-EIE (Eisendrath International Experience) High School in Israel program this semester.

The semester-long program for students in grades 10-12 is based on Kibbutz Tzuba, located in the Judean Hills approximately fifteen minutes outside of Jerusalem. It was established in 1961 by NFTY, the youth arm of the Reform Judaism movement, and is named for the late Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath, past president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now the Union for Reform Judaism. An intensive academic program, it is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition to courses in Jewish history, Hebrew Ulpan and general studies, students spend about three days a week outside the classroom on field trips.

“I wanted to spend more than just a few weeks in Israel, and after talking with friends who did NFTY-EIE, it seemed like a fun program to experience for myself,” says Brittany. “I am looking forward to the entire program, especially the chance to explore Israel.”

For more information visit www.nftyeie.org.