Israel program resumes after security concerns

Students who are interested in traveling to Israel through the Tel Bet Shemesh Summer Archaeological Program can resume their plans starting this summer. The program was suspended last year due to state department travel warnings.\nThe program, which will run from June 12 through July 2, will allow 25 students to explore and excavate an ancient Israeli site. The program will give students an opportunity to learn archeological techniques first-hand through lectures and on-site examinations. The program offers students three academic credits toward graduation.\nProfessor Steven Weitzman, director of the Borns Jewish Studies Program, said he believes students who are considering the program will benefit from it based on previous students' experiences.\n"The program is very intensive," he said. "This is trip will allow students to not just be tourists but to actually take part in an archeological adventure. Many students who have gone on the trip loved it and didn't mind the work."\nThe dig will be in the ancient city of Beth Shemesh in Israel. According to a statement released by the program, students will also have the opportunity to learn about contemporary Israel by living on a kibbutz (a communal settlement) and by traveling in Israel on two weekend tours.\nWeitzman distinguished between Birthright and the IU-Tel Beth Shemesh program.\n"Birthright is a 10-day trip through Israel offered by Hillel for Jewish students and is not school-sponsored," he said. "The IU-Tel Beth Shemesh is opened to all students who are interested in going on an archeological dig in Israel."\nJunior Julie Avchen said she feels students who are interested in the archeological program or programs similar in structure should take advantage of this opportunity.\n"The program sounds phenomenal for students who have a drive to do such a thing, it is right up their alley," said Avchen, a Jewish studies major.\nAvchen, who has traveled to Israel before, wants students who visit Israel, either as a tourist or as a participant in an archeological dig, to get the most out of their experience.\n"I hope that they realize that Israel is an amazing place to be," she said.\nThe program is open to any IU student with 3.0 cumulative grade point average or higher. Students interested in the program can visit the program Web site, www.indiana.edu/~betshem/tours.html.\n-- Contact staff writer Eric Tash etash@indiana.edu.