Twenty U.S. students from universities shut down by hurricane Katrina kicked off the fall 2006 semester in Israel last week. Following Katrina's devastation, the Jewish Agency for Israel reached out to "academic refugees" inviting them to spend a semester or year at five of Israel's top universities at no charge. The Jewish Agency provided full scholarships for all of the students.

Students from California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin and Missouri have moved into their dorm rooms and started their courses.

If you are interested in interviewing students, please call 052-2784508.

For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press
The Jewish Agency for Israel
Cell: 050-7601706
Voicemail: 02-6202780
e-mail: michaelj@jafi.org