Students Will Learn About Conflict and Help Victims of Terror on Solidarity Mission to Israel  For many college students, intersession is a time to relax and recharge after an exhausting flurry of exams and papers—but for 20 undergraduate and rabbinical students at Yeshiva University, the upcoming winter break will be dedicated to standing with Israelis against terror. From January 17-24, student activists will embark on a solidarity and experiential education mission to Israel, where they will meet with political experts, military personnel and Israeli citizens to gain a better understanding of the conflict, and volunteer with an array of organizations across the country that assist victims of terror and their families. “Every time we hear about a terror attack in Israel, our students leap into action to help. Whether it’s 1,000 students rallying for Israel in Times Square or massive Tehillim vigils, they want to show our brothers and sisters in Israel that Yeshiva University stands shoulder to shoulder with them during these frightening and uncertain times, and they want to make a difference for those who are hurting most,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, vice president for university and community life. “The goal of this mission is to provide the students with rare opportunities to connect with the situation intellectually, emotionally and practically, as well as take ownership and become part of the solution in their own unique and creative ways.” Highlights of the mission will include volunteering with victims of terror at area hospitals and OneFamily’s main support center in Jerusalem, meeting with families from Gush Etzion, workshops with HonestReporting and Stand With Us about combating media bias, an interactive discussion with United Hatzalah’s first responders team, a BBQ with lone soldiers, and conversations about American aliyah to Israel. “Living so far away from the conflict, we rely heavily on the media and our friends in Israel for our information and often have difficulty understanding the true severity of the events that are unfolding, who is being impacted, and how we can help them,” said Aliza Abrams Konig, director of the office of student life and Jewish service learning at Stern College for Women. “This mission will serve to appropriately educate the students about the political and technical realities of the conflict and allow them to assign a human face to the victims of terror and realize just how impactful their assistance will be, even from afar.” Yeshiva University’s Student Solidarity Mission to Israel will run with support from Beryl and Doreen Eckstein and Neal’s Fund, a social entrepreneurial fund established in memory of Neal Dublinsky z”l.