Special Edition June 2008 I just returned from Israel and a week of events in connection with Taglit-Birthright Israel's summer program. Nearly 10,000 Jewish young adults from around the world were in Israel as program participants. On a personal level, one of the most rewarding parts of my time there was the launch of my new book co-authored with Barry Chazan, Ten Days of Birthright Israel: A Journey in Young Adult Identity. The book tells the story of Taglit-Birthright Israel and uses an educational and socio-psychological framework to explain how the program engages young adults in a meaningful journey of identity development. There's lots to learn from Birthright Israel--for those who care about Israel, Jewish education, and education in general. A description of the book follows, along with ordering information. Len Saxe Director, Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies and Steinhardt Social Research Institute In Ten Days, Leonard Saxe, Brandeis University, and Barry Chazan, Spertus College, serve as tour guides and interpreters as they tell the story of Birthright Israel, an intensive ten-day educational program designed to connect Jewish young adults to their heritage. The authors describe Birthright Israel in ten chapters paralleling the ten days of the trip, and in the process, bring the experiences of the participants vividly to life. Reviews of Ten Days "Ten Days of Birthright Israel is among the most informative and best-written works of Jewish social research that I have ever read. A wonderful book about a wonderful program." --Jonathan D. Sarna, Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University, and author of American Judaism: A History "Ten Days of Birthright Israel takes the reader on an amazing journey that is at once about identity formation in young Jewish adults and about a great adventure in Jewish philanthropy. Fascinating, inspiring, and reassuring for anyone interested in the future of the Jewish people." --Ambassador Martin Indyk Book Reception For those of you in the NYC area, please join us for a wine and cheese reception and book signing on June 16th at Brandeis House, 12 East 77th Street from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Ordering Information For ordering information, click here. Use code WW001 to receive a 35% discount. Constructs is the e-newsletter of Brandeis University's Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, Steinhardt Social Research Institute, and Fisher-Bernstein Institute. Contact Us