Jamie Zebrak

Shomer Achi is a yearlong program, fostering sustainable and community based connections between Diaspora and Israeli college students through parallel community service initiatives, dialogue, and leadership training. Six students from Israel and six from America work through the year to learn about social justice, volunteer in the local community, and engage in dialogue about identity and Jewish responsibility. Selection is based on leadership in secular and Jewish communities, dedication to social justice, and academic standing. Each Shomer Achi participantis required to implement a final initiative in their community. The initiatives draw on the educational sessions, volunteering, and both ten-day service trips wherein the Shomrim from America and Israel travel to one another's communities to volunteer, learn about and discuss the social challenges. Shomer Achi emphasizes responsibility for and accountability to the local and global communities while ensuring that local campuses and the larger Jewish community gain from the social justice activities of Shomer Achi