Send Zara to Israel

To my friends and family:

I have spent the past two years teaching two and three year olds how to ask questions, solve problems, build relationships, and navigate the world around them. I love the students in my class at the JCC. I have given the children in the JCC two years of my life, which has allowed me to watch many of them grow from tiny babies into runners, jumpers, painters, story-tellers, train enthusiasts, and charming conversationalists.

I feel that the next step for me must include the sense of community, growth, education, and love that I have experienced during my time at the JCC. Therefore, I feel extremely lucky to have found a program that encompasses all of the values I have cherished here. I have been accepted into the OTZMA fellowship, a 10-month volunteer program in Israel beginning September 3rd. I will spend the first three months in Ulpan, learning Hebrew and contributing to the immigrant absorption center where I will be living; the next three months volunteering; and the final three months interning at a social service organization.

For me, a journey to Israel contains equal parts unknown adventure, and exploration of my homeland and identity. Spending an extended period of time in Israel, in a meaningful, contributive way, is an ideal situation for me at this point in my life. I feel ready to explore my culture and ancestry in greater detail, as well as grow and change through experiencing life in a new land surrounded by new people. I am going to Israel to learn about the past, and plan for the future.

What appeals to me about the OTZMA program in particular is its emphasis on community involvement, meaning that I would get to know Israel on many different levels. I am seeking a relationship with Israel beyond that of a tourist. Through this program, I will have to opportunity to work with Israeli people in setting up after-school programs, care for the elderly, teach disadvantaged youth, and plan community events and social programming. The OTZMA fellowship offers a connection not only to the country of Israel, but to the Jewish people and community.

I have spent the past two years connecting to the Jewish Community Center; now it is time for me to give back to the people and the land of Israel. The cost for me to participate in the OTZMA program is $12,000. I have been fortunate to have received $3,000, a subsidy from the National Jewish Federation, and another $4,500 from a MASA grant. There is a remaining $4,500 that I still need, to be paid in full by July 23.

The little I have saved, I will need to buy supplies (backpack, sleeping bag, other travel amenities and gear) and use as spending money during my time in Israel. Therefore, I am reaching out to my network of family and friends for help. Investing in this trip is not only an investment in me, but an investment in Israel, in the Jewish community here in the US, and in the social service community of Seattle. I fully intend on returning to Seattle and continuing to contribute to the Jewish community in a leadership capacity. I am making this trip to better prepare myself to help the people and the communities around me.

You can make donations either directly to me, or as a tax-deductible contribution through the Jewish National Fund’s “Plant Your Way” (www.jnf.org/pyw, click “find a participant“ and enter my name.) If you chose to donate through Plant Your Way, half of your contribution will go towards planting a tree in Israel, and half will go toward my program fee. More information on OTZMA is available here: www.otzma.org.

Thank you for your interest and your support,


Zara Leigh Friedman
116 Florentia Street Apt. #7
Seattle, WA 98019
206 355 7901