Nativ Program Moves into New Home in Jerusalem

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has announced that NATIV – the organization’s year-long college-leadership program for the Conservative Movement in Israel -- has moved into its new home in Jerusalem. Students took up residence in their new dorm, Beit NATIV, on December 1, after months of planning and anticipation. The facility, located on 2 Agron Street, is part of the expanding USCJ Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem.

After the move, students – together with Fuchsberg Center Director Rabbi James Lebeau and Associate Director Yitzhak Jacobsen -- participated in a hanukkat ha’bayit ceremony, affixing a mezuzah to the entrance of the building and reciting the Sheheheyanu prayer. Later, the group went together to each room so that students could affix their own mezuzot.

According to David Keren, NATIV Director, Beit NATIV offers students rooms with their own shower, toilet, and Internet access. Every floor has a kitchenette. The main floor of the building houses a dining room, library, Beit Knesset, and computer center, while the ground floor, with sofas and cable TV, will allow students to socialize. Two balconies overlook the center of Jerusalem.

Keren notes that students are “thrilled with the new facility,” which he described as “first-class dorms.”

NATIV member Arin Lipman, from Florida, comments that “ It’s nice to live in our own building, it feels like home.” Julia Warren, from Upstate New York, adds: “It’s great not being guests. The base is beautiful and comfortable with an excellent location.”

USCJ International President Judy Yudof points out that “it was extremely meaningful that the move took place during Hanukkah, the holiday of rededication. We pray that the light of the hanukkiyot lit in the new facility will continue to warm and inspire the students throughout the year.”

The Fuchsberg Center, which currently serves as the headquarters for USY programs in Israel and houses the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva, offers diverse programs targeted to Conservative Jewish students and visitors to Israel. Temma Kingsley, Chair of the Fuchsberg Center Campaign, points out that an expanded facility will be able to serve even more constituencies, including Ramah and Solomon Schechter Day School Israel Programs as well as regional and congregational tours and missions.

For further information about NATIV, contact Yossi Garr. To learn more about the Fuchsberg Center, contact Rabbi James Lebeau.