JNF’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) provides Jewish college students, graduate students and young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 with the opportunity to connect to the land and people of Israel through meaningful acts of tikkun olam (community service). It is designed for people who have already toured Israel on past trips and are now prepared to involve themselves in community service and give back to Israel.

Since 2006, nearly 800 participants have had an amazing time on ASB while experiencing what the early pioneers of Israel did: building the land of Israel. In 2007, the trip was featured on MTV’s The Amazing Break. Click here to see a clip.

Answering the needs of the Jewish homeland, JNF will send 300 people to volunteer in Israel during their spring break vacations this March to help with JNF’s Blueprint Negev initiative. Days will be filled with hard but fulfilling work, and nights with entertainment, music, and fun. The groups will also interact with the people they are helping and hear from environmental experts and scholars to better understand the complexities of the region.

A significant part of the ASB program is the educational curriculum, designed to complement the service work by providing an opportunity to explore Jewish insights and personal reflections on the service experience. Time is set aside each day for a discussion, reflection and learning.  ASB is a great way for American students and young adults to return to Israel and participate in a unique program that will transform their personal connection to Israel and JNF.

JNF will take the first 300 participants who reach the fundraising minimum. There are a limited number of tickets for each trip, and we close specific dates when they are no longer available. Once we have filled, we will post it prominently on our website and close registration so that you are not able to sign up for the trip.

Registration Eligibility and Requirements

• This trip is for Jewish college students and young professionals, ages 18-30.
• Participants must be out of high school.
• This trip is intended for people who have already been to Israel (strongly recommended).
• While in Israel, participants will need to stay with the group at all times; they can invite guests to meet them at lodging areas when there are no scheduled programs.
• Participants are responsible for round-trip transportation to NY/NJ-based airports from their home communities.
• Participants must raise a minimum of $975 for JNF’s Blueprint Negev campaign.

For more information: www.jnf.org/springbreak.

About Jewish National Fund: Over the past 107 years, JNF has evolved into a global environmental leader by planting 240 million trees, building over 200 reservoirs and dams, developing over 250,000 acres of land, creating more than 1,000 parks, providing the infrastructure for over 1,000 communities, bringing life to the Negev Desert and educating students around the world about Israel and the environment.