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It came in the form of a postcard. “We are looking for 25 high school juniors in the Bay Area,” the letter said, and then went on to describe Write On for Israel.

I almost threw it away, disregarding it as junk mail or yet another college trying to spark my interest. However, my mom saw it and brought up the subject at dinner. “This sounds like an opportunity,” she said. “You should consider applying.”

After mulling it over, I decided to apply. Even though I didn’t think I stood much of a chance of getting in, the program sounded really neat and I love writing. “What the heck?” I thought. “If the classes aren’t as good as they sound, at least I get a free trip to Israel.”

Write On for Israel turned out to be way better than I could have hoped. Each monthly, six-hour Sunday session has been packed with updates on the news, lectures about Israel’s history, guest speakers, and tips to improve our writing and public speaking.

We planned the documentaries we will be filming in Israel this summer and ate delicious Middle Eastern food with Jewish teens from all over Northern California. I left every WOFI session feeling excited and much more connected to Israel and my Judaism.

Before joining WOFI, I knew very little about Israel. I never watched the news on TV (since our family doesn’t get cable) and seldom read the newspaper or listened to the radio. The conflict in the Middle East seemed so complicated and confusing that I didn’t even try to follow what was going on. Because I didn’t know much about Israel and had never been there, I felt disconnected from the Jewish state.

Write On for Israel has taught me enough about Israel to make me feel more connected. After the first session, I already yearned to learn more. I began to read the newspaper more, particularly articles regarding Israel and the Middle East.

As I learned about her history and continuous struggles, I began to feel passionate about Israel. I educated my friends and family about Israel, defended the Jewish state when my extremely liberal history teacher began to praise Jimmy Carter, and even attended a pro-Israel demonstration in San Francisco.

Above all, I recognized my duty to be informed of what is going on in the world and use my knowledge to stand up for Israel.

Write On for Israel also pushed me to be a more critical reader and thinker. Even when reading supposedly “nonfiction” works such as history books and newspapers, I learned that writers will always try to inject their bias. I learned how to detect the most subtle slant and discovered what effect spinning has on Israel.

Due to this program, my writing has definitely improved. With a new writing assignment each month, we get plenty of practice. Though it is a lot, I gladly do the WOFI homework for each month, since I feel so grateful for this opportunity.

Our journalism teacher, j. reporter Dan Pine, responds to each of our writing assignments with two to three paragraphs critiquing our work — much more feedback and advice than I’ve ever received from my English teachers at school! This practice and input has helped me to grow as a writer. I have learned how to write in a journalistic style, as we practice writing articles, press releases and letters to the editor.

Write On for Israel includes a free 10-day trip to Israel, so this summer I will be visiting Israel and filming a documentary on a topic of my choice: kibbutzes. I am so excited to experience, first hand, what we have been learning about this year in WOFI. I am certain it will be an experience that I will never forget.

So, if any sophomores are reading this, don’t throw away this opportunity like I almost did. Apply for Write On for Israel and have the experience of a lifetime.

Write On for Israel is seeking new applicants through September. Visit http://www.bluestarpr.com and click on “Write On.” Information: Meirav at (415) 543-6300 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Jessica Saldinger lives in Pleasanton and is a junior at Foothill High School. In July, she will be going to Israel with Write On for Israel.

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