Spring break spent in service in Negev region The Enquirer March 28, 2008 by Karen Vance The offer was simple: Trade spring break on the beach for a week of hard work in the Negev Desert. More than 200 teens and young adults took the Jewish National Fund up on the offer. "It's very inspiring and encouraging to see this many young people supporting and committed and engaged in this way," said Sarit Schonbrun, communications manager for the Jewish National Fund, an organization specializing in the development of Israel, its environment and infrastructure. Over a three-week period, young people participated in the alternative spring break. The program began in 2006 with 25 young people. While in Israel, the projects include repairing an apartment complex, painting murals, cleaning up a riverbed, meeting local government officials, visiting people in nursing homes and meeting Bedouins in the Negev Desert. "It's a way to connect kids and young adults who had already been to Israel but wanted to go back and give their time in a more service-oriented way," Schonbrun said. "They feel like they're doing something to build Israel." Each young person involved also raises money to pay for activities and the JNF's activities as part of Blueprint Negev, an effort to make the Negev Desert hospitable for people, relieving the stress of population growth on central and northern Israel. Adam Ganson, 24, a Sycamore High School graduate and a student at Vermont Law School, was inspired to be a part of the program both by his education at Yavneh Day School and his interest in the environment. "It was exciting to be in a place where we hear so much negativity, and to see local people who live there, working to make it a better place and to see them working to make it a more hospitable place, not only for people but for plants and animals also," he said. "We are in a generation of people who are serious about Israel and who are serious about being a part of Israel." Ganson's cousin, Rachel Ellison, 23, of Blue Ash, has been in Israel since January, teaching art classes in the town of Ra'anana. She took a week off from that to participate in the program after hearing about it from Ganson. "We can each do something. We can help ourselves," she said. "It may be a small thing, but it will make an impact that we can see." Sherry Barsman, 25, a first-grade teacher in Chicago originally from Blue Ash, said the time allowed her to focus on helping others. "I feel like we often get wrapped up in our own lives. It's great to have an opportunity to see what else is out there and really appreciate what we have," she said before the trip. "I've been to Israel three times before as a tourist, but I feel like this time is more about being involved with the community." University of Cincinnati student Deborah Karmel also participated in the alternative spring break.