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Alumni
Until now hundreds of soldiers and Jewish youth from around the world have participated in the Association activities within the framework of the different programs. Our activities are unique in that they provide an exceptional opportunity and create life lasting friendships. From the words of the participants:
Parts of Noam M.’s (a paratrooper) speech at the graduation of Building Future Leadership seminar, May 2008:
..."A few years ago when I made my choice I had dreams and wishes and hopes. Dreams of better place to live in, a more human place, more peaceful and quite place, clean environment, fresh air, strong and healthy communit y. Nice people, nice friends, everybody getting along. A love I can feel and be connected with. A place worth dying for but no needing to. These dreams and wishes are what I see in you and in the projects you are developing, and they are my dreams too.
I just forget them totally. It’s hard to explain but there is something about the army (or maybe in life in general) that wearies you down. The training and operational routine make us forget, it dulls our senses and make us numb, completely numb. I want to say that in the last few months I remembered, and it is thanks to you. Even if I will forget again in a few months, which will probably happen, this has been very meaningful to me, more than a breath of fresh air. Thank you”
Leadership Seminar, December 2007, MASA participants on the soldiers in the seminar:
- "It was great to have additional perspective in addition to the perspective of the Diaspora Jews. It was also great to learn about other leadership style that not being in the army- we would never be exposed to”. Janna L., Career Israel
- “Their varied experiences & reality, their stories really contribute to the group” Anabelle H, Career I
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- “I think their presence was incredibly enriching, completely necessary. It brought in a point of view and experience that none of us had. They were warm, fun and I feel honored to call they my friends” Ella S., WUSS
- "I felt they were a crucial part of the program” David L, Pardes
- "I had never spoken to a soldier personally before”
- “Meeting wonderful people and different kind of Jews has healed my soul” Ethan w. Pardes
- “I will have lifelong connections and friendships”
- “A better, deeper and more personal connection to Israelis, Israel society and the importance of IDF”
- "Meeting other Jews from around the world who care about Judaism and Israel, and better understanding of Jews from the Diaspora”
Words of Soldiers in the Leadership seminar:
- “As an Israeli citizen and an officer in the IDF,I thank Parallel Lives for giving me the opportunity, to meet great ambitious and valuable Jewish people. I'm certain we will all succeed in the future and serve a role model for tom
 orrow's Jewish youth”, Yuval S.
- “It was an extraordinary experience for me: coming to the BFL and learning and hearing about people from all over the world and their communities. As a Jew who lives in Israel, it makes me feel good to hear all these things. The lectures and the workshops were excellent and very interesting- I am glad I was there. I truly hope that the fruit of this process will make a change and an effort in the future”, Benjamin M.
- “It was an interesting gathering of people from all over the world and special experience for me. The fact that each of us came from a different background of Judaism was added to my interest. The seminar made me thing about leadership in a way of actions, beyond thoughts. It focused me on being active for the Jewish community in Israel and around the world”, Yedidya Paris
- “As an Israeli it’s easy to see yourself as the center of the Jewish and Zionist world. By join Parallel Lives I met people with visions, Zionist leaders with the power to create a change, and most of all I met good friends. It’s gave me the fate and made me believe in the Jewish an Zionist ability to create a change, not only here in Israel, but also all over the world- as one unit of the global Jewish world”, Dina T.
- “It has been a wonderful experience meeting all you amazing people from all corners of the world, and it's amazing that no matter where you come from everybody has come for the same purpose! I hope and would love to help you out in any way I can on your new projects and that each will be successful in bringing more Jews together. So thank you very much I learned a lot and had a lot of fun!”, Daniel F.
Words of Additional Alumni:
- " I hadn’t been to a synagogue since my Bar-Mitzvah. It was incredible to see a community in the USA that cares about us as soldiers.” Ohad Reshef, Soldier from Paratrooper unit
- “I gained a better view of life in Israel and a new respect for the soldiers.”Student from University of Maryland, 2004
- “I got to experience Israel through the eyes of people our age and gained a new understanding of Israelis and of my place as a Jew in Israel.”Student from U. of Florida, 2004
- “Parallel Lives personalizes my connection to Israel.” Rona Ram, UCLA 2005
- “Up until now, I cared about Israel but had no connection to the actual people in Israel. Today, I have a real connection and have stayed in touch with my new Israeli friends.” Sasha Rahban, UCLA 2005
Meet the project alumni in Facebook, under Parallel Lives
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