Alumni Newsletter Spring 2022
Dear Alumni, Students, Parents and Friends,

As Passover approaches, we reflect gratefully on the amazing Israel XP alumni gatherings that have taken place over the past few months. We are so proud that our Israel XP alumni have continued to benefit from personalized learning, guidance, reunions, Shabbatons, networking opportunities, virtual Torah classes, and and leadership opportunities. Our commitment to our students continues long after their year at Israel XP, and it is an absolute pleasure for us to play a meaningful role as they pursue their lifelong dreams. 

We are also pleased to report that the current Israel XP students are having an incredible experience, and we have a record high number of applications for next year. The support of our alumni makes a big impact on our continued success.

With that in mind, we present to you our latest Israel XP Alumni Newsletter. Enjoy!

Rabbi Eli Menaged
Director, The Israel Experience at Bar Ilan University
&
Rabbi Yitzie Klapper
Director of Alumni Affairs
Reunions
NYC Reunion with Rabbi Menaged
IDC Reunion at R' Klapper's
Yeshiva University Reunion
2015-2016 Reunion
Moshe Bock's Wedding
2016-2017 Reunion
Always at "Home" with Orli
LA Reunion with R' Menaged
1997-1998 Reunion


Torah Learning Opportunities
We offer a number of weekly Torah learning opportunities, including:

  • Weekly parsha divrei Torah with Rabbi Menaged on WhatsApp
  • Weekly 'Keeping it Real' sessions with Rabbi Klapper on Instagram @israelxpalumni
  • Laws of Lashon Hara with Rabbi Roy Sasson on WhatsApp

Email Rabbi Klapper to join any of these groups.

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Staff Dvar Torah from
Men's Advisor Rabbi Roy Sasson
Alumni Spotlight
Spotlight Interview with Mordechai Bock BIU XP 2015-2016
Q- Where are you from and what are you up to now in life?
I’m originally from Boca Raton, Fl. and I currently in Jerusalem. I am blessed to work at a great technology company named “Watchful,” where I am responsible for driving growth & revenue in the company
Q- What was your favorite part of being a student on Israel XP?
2- My favorite part of Israel XP was the optimal environment it provided to allowing me to be myself and grow in an authentic way. The “no pressure program” approach combined with amazing Rabbis and resources was perfect for me and enabled me to find my path in a healthy and genuine way. 
Q- What was your favorite memory from your year at Israel XP?
Purim was an incredible highlight in my year. At some point in the Purim the Seudah, I felt a switch flip inside me that made my Neshama have a clarity in life like I’ve never had before. As I looked around, I saw that many of my friends had reached this clarity as well and it was truly a powerful moment for all of us.
Q- What do you miss most about BIU Israel XP?
I miss being in an environment that is truly set up for discovery. Never before, did I feel so free to figure out what life is truly all about. Of course I also miss my friends, the trips and the great memories that we made as well. And how could I not mention the incredible Shabbats I had at the Rabbis’ houses. They were unforgettable. But what really sticks out in my mind is the freedom I had to discover everything that is truly meaningful in life. It was an experience I will never forget.
Q- How have you stayed connected to Judaism since you’ve left Israel XP?
After Israel XP, I decided to attend Machon Yaakov, a Yeshiva in Jerusalem. I realized that Israel XP lit a spark in me but it was my job to add fuel to the fire. I understood that I needed to continue investing in my relationship with Hashem to become the best version of myself. Finding my own portion of Torah that speaks to me on a personal level was a big key to my continued growth. Baruch Hashem!
Q- What’s one piece of advice you would give to other alumni?
My advice to the Israel XP alumni is to build an organized system for continued growth in your life. I recommend breaking down your life up into 5 categories: Family/Relationships, Health, Spirituality/ Fulfillment, Work, and Hobbies. Then, rate each of these categories on a scale of 1 to 10 based on how successful you feel you are in each one. For each category, figure out one concrete action that will raise the level of each category and work hard to implementing those actions consistently. Reevaluate yourself every month and you’ll be on your way to greatness! 
Pearls of Wisdom: Alumni Videos
Alex Zarka & Danielle Ben-Hamo ('19-'20)
Yonatan Blitz ('20-'21)
In and Around Israel XP
Torah Learning
Trips
Dorm Life
Jewish Leadership
Follow our current students on Instagram & Facebook!
A Chance to Give Back

Hakarat HaTov, gratitude for your experience, is an opportunity for personal growth and reflection. It's also a great way to ensure that future students have an experience like yours.

Please consider giving towards our Shavuot All Night Learning Program.

Alumni Mazal Tovs
Channa Rifkin '13 on her engagement
Sam Koralnik '14 on his marriage
Maor Shoshanah '14 on the birth of a baby boy
Erin Shama '14 on her engagement 
Moriah Raviv '14 on her engagement
Eliana Willner '15 on her marriage 
Aviva Muhlmann '15 on her marriage 
Emily Galapo '15 on her engagement 
Ari List '15 on his engagement 
Dakota Jacoby (Gottlieb) '15 on the birth of baby girl
Gemma Adams '16 on her engagement 
Joey Kirsch '16 on his engagement 
Adam Kaufler '16 on his marriage
Salvi Bentolila '16 on his marriage
Noah Naggar '16 on his engagement 
Shelly Fouzailoff '17 on her marriage
Joelle Metsch '17 and Daniel Nitzani '17 on their engagement 
Moshe Bock '17 on his marriage
Ariella Seitler (Wretchner) '17 on the birth of a baby boy
Evelyn Tawil '17 on her marriage
Celine Bohbot '17 on her marriage
Tova mammon '18 on her marriage 
Emily Winokur '18 on her marriage 
Tehilla Baruch '19 on her marriage 
Harry Modlin '19 on his Aliyah 
Ariana Blitstein '19 on her engagement 
Isaac Babayoff '20 on his engagement 
Gal Lubranicki '20 on her engagement 
Rachel Hayes '20 and Joe Abhesera '20 on their marriage 
Rabbi & Mrs. Naomi Kahn on their son, Yishai Kahn's marriage 
Yaffa Magier (Madricha '22) on her aliyah 
Rabbi Yablok on the birth of a baby boy

Oh Oh Oh Oh AyAy AyAy and Mabrook!

Did we miss your “Mazal Tov”? Email: Ravklapper@israelxp.com and we’ll make sure to include it in the next alumni newsletter!
Torah of Rabbi Kahn
Rabbi Kahn


Rabbi Ari Kahn is the Director of Foreign Student Programs at Bar Ilan University, where he is also a senior lecturer in Jewish studies.