Birthright for Law Officers

Jewish law enforcement officers ages 22 to 29 are eligible to join Birthright Israel’s first Law Enforcement Israel Adventure, a free trip to Israel from May 29 to June 9.

Participants’ only financial responsibility is getting to and from New York, the trip departure point.

Jewish National Fund, Shorashim and the National Conference of Shomrim Societies are joining Birthright in sponsoring the program, designed to connect law enforcement officials to their Jewish roots and Israeli counterparts.

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“This is a very important mission, and I am extremely pleased that the National Conference of Shomrim Societies can play an active role in it. Members of law enforcement applaud Birthright Israel for taking on this task so that younger officers nationwide will be able to visit Israel and gain a better understanding of its history, their cultural connection and the existing conflicts,” said Lawrence Wein, the president of NCSS, an organization dedicated to Jews who work as police, fire and other public safety officers.

NCSS chaplain Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz came up with the idea for a law enforcement Birthright trip and pushed to raise the age limit to 29 from Birthright’s usual 26 to give more officers a chance to be among the 40 Americans participating.

“Now is the perfect opportunity for Jewish law enforcement personnel to experience the aura of Israel,” Rabbi Berkowitz said. “It’s an experience that will kindle an eternal spark of bonding with the birthplace of one’s heritage.”

Michael Waitz, the North American director of Shorashim, said the trip will enable Americans to connect with their Israeli counterparts professionally and personally.

Register at IsraelwithIsraelis.com/lawenforcement.

JNF CEO Russell Robinson said: “Our nation’s first responders and public safety officers are dedicated, selfless public servants who put their lives on the line each and every day. National Shomrim is to be commended for devising this opportunity so that Jewish police officers can interact with their Israeli partners and have enriched careers as both a Jew and as an officer.”