June 17, 2009

Dear Y2I 2009 Teens,

Welcome to the Robert I. Lappin Youth to Israel Adventure (Y2I) 2009! Our exciting adventure of a lifetime is just around the corner, and we welcome you with open arms to what will truly be a life-changing experience.

"We are family" is a phrase you repeatedly hear in Y2I. Y2I 2009 is all about our Jewish Family. It was the generosity of hundreds of members of our Jewish community and beyond that saved the program. Thanks to their commitment to our Jewish Family, 83 teens from 14 cities and towns across our community will experience the magic of Israel as part of Y2I 2009.

Y2I is much more than a trip to Israel. The Y2I experience will help you to better understand why it is so special and so cool to be Jewish, and to stay Jewish. Y2I will strengthen your link in the Jewish chain of tradition that has existed for thousands of years. .

Israel is a modern day miracle, and miracles are around every corner in Israel. From Abraham to Moses, from the Maccabis to modern day Israel, you will marvel at the accomplishments of our Family and of this small country, our Jewish Home. The dessert blooms, the people shine, and the country is a beacon of light to the world.

At our pre trip meetings, we explored some of Israel's contributions to all fields of human endeavor. You learned that early cell phone technology and instant messaging were pioneered in Israel. In 2007, a groundbreaking discovery in the field of artificial intelligence, conducted by two Tel Aviv University academics, and Israeli research into treating Parkinson's disease, were selected as the greatest advancements in science by a top U.S. periodical. And this is just a snippet of the accomplishments of Israel, our Home. Israel is a place where scientific discoveries excite the world as much as archaeological ones, and brainpower is as precious as solar power.

You will have countless "WOW!" moments from the day you arrive to the day you leave Israel. Everything about Israel is WOW! The ancient streets we will walk upon, the ancient walls we will touch, the tunnels we will explore and the mountains we will climb. You will be wowed when you float on the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth, and you will be wowed when you zip line down a mountain. You will shake your head in disbelief at how Masada was built. You will be especially wowed when you experience the old and the new Israel, intricately linked and seamlessly existing as one of the most magnificent places on earth.

The people will wow you, as you discover the diversity of our Jewish Family. Our time in Israel will help you understand that no matter where we live, as Jews, we are Family, responsible for one another. We are sure that before our trip ends, you will feel the connection and love we talk about.

We encourage you to make the most of your Y2I adventure by taking full advantage of the wonderful opportunities awaiting you. Get psyched and get ready for the experience of your life!

Sincerely,

Robert I. Lappin Trustee Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation

Deborah Coltin Executive Director Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation