Campus Celebrity: Jennifer Grod ‘14
When you think spring break and college, your mind probably defaults to thoughts of exotic locales and partying. What you may not realize is that Hofstra offers students the chance to spend their break making a difference in the lives of others – and I’m not talking about that time you lent a girl sunscreen on the beach in Mexico!
Senior broadcast journalism major Jennifer Grod spent her spring break abroad in Israel as a part of the Alternative Spring Break program. She tells us all about her trip in this week’s campus celebrity profile!
Earlier this semester, you fundraised so that you could go on an alternative spring break. What was that like?
I was fundraising to go on an alternative spring break trip to Israel. The trip was through JNF (Jewish National Fund). The purpose of fundraising was to raise awareness for JNF and all of the projects they do to help support in Israel. All of the funds raised go toward enhancing the quality of life for the people living in Israel.
Why did you choose Israel?
I have been to Israel once before, during my sophomore year of college. I wanted to get back there because it is a beautiful country and full of history. I was trying to find another way to get back there and this was a perfect opportunity. I was also able to spend spring break with some of my best friends that I made at Hofstra.
What did you do while you were there?
I spent a week volunteering in the north of Israel. Each day was a different project. The first day we worked in a community garden in a low socioeconomic area. The next day we painted the outside of a government subsided housing building. People living in the community there we so appreciative of what we were doing and that is when it hit me that I was glad I took this journey and went on this trip.
We also cut down trees in the Carmel forest to prevent future forest fires. We were involved in this project because in 2010 there was a fire in this forest that claimed 44 lives. And we weren’t done cutting down trees after that!
We went to a site called Lotem, which is a farm for disabled and at risk individuals. We tried to make the paths in the farm more accessible. We also did a few more service projects. In addition to volunteering, we went on a few hikes and got to see the start of the Jerusalem Marathon!
What was your favorite thing you did while there?
Gosh it is really difficult to pick one thing! I really enjoyed my overall experience. Even though I went with some of my best friends from Hofstra, I also made some lasting friendships with people from other schools. But if I had to pick one favorite thing it would have to be cutting down the trees at Lotem because I really saw the finished product. (I was also getting the hang of chopping down trees!) It was also great to talk to other people on my trip and learn more about them and their Israel experiences. And another thing I really enjoyed was spending Shabbat in Jerusalem. It was beautiful. And one last thing – the food was amazing! I am still missing it because you can’t find pita bread that delicious in the States.
Did you find Israel to be very different from America?
Israel is the only country I have been to outside of the United States, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I have seen many of the holy places in pictures, so it was eye opening to see everything up close. I also loved looking out the window as we were traveling throughout the country. The land is so beautiful. One thing that really surprised me that first time I was there is that a lot of people living in Israel are secular. I went in thinking that most people were religious.
This wasn’t your typical Spring Break, how did it compare to your previous Spring Break experiences?
This was the only spring break during college that I actually went away for. I usually go home to New Jersey and catch up with my family and friends. I didn’t decide I was going to Israel until about three weeks before the flight was taking off.
Where else would you like to travel in the future?
Everywhere! To narrow that down, I would definitely love to travel around Europe. There is so much history to be seen and learn about and of course great food to eat!
One of the many things you are involved in on campus is Hofstra Hillel. What has being involved in that group meant to you?
I love being involved in Hofstra Hillel. That was something from day one of college that I knew I wanted to join. Since I wasn’t really involved in any sort of youth group growing up, this was something I was very interested in being a part of and boy has Hofstra Hillel grown from my freshman year! I have met so many great and lifelong friends from this organization. I spend my Shabbat dinners and holidays with Hillel while I am away at school. I know that I will always find a friend in the office if I have a free moment during the day. I was also on Hillel’s leadership board my freshman and sophomore year and was able to see this organization grow. Being a senior, I don’t have much spare time between finishing classes and internships, but I still manage to stop by!