Gone are the days when Hornstein students would go home to visit family and friends during February break. Now, right on the heels of the annual Seminar in Israel, six second-year students traveled to Ukraine , first-years spent four days in New York City for the Starr Seminar, and another student used his time to organize a youth convention!

Over the past few years, family engagement programs have blossomed around the country. These programs have been created in the hope that couples who are not yet involved with Jewish life may eventually become involved if they are inspired by positive encounters with other Jewish parents and Jewish role models. Here are nine suggestions for attracting these families.

Levi Kerzhner '14, Yuliya Serebryana '14

This year's group of ten new students shares a love of Israel and music, has significant prior experience in Jewish organizations, such as camps and Hillels, and is one of our more geographically diverse. Our U.S. students from California, Massachusetts and Missouri, are joined by three Russian-speakers, one each from Israel, Ukraine, and Russia, as well as an Australian - one of only a handful to ever attend the Program from that country! Student Bios

Myra Kraft, 2007 Milender Seminar Fellow

We're excited and honored to announce that Hornstein's annual seminar in Israel has been renamed in memory of Myra Kraft z"l, a prominent philanthropist, early Hornstein student, and 2007 Milender Fellow. In 1996, with her husband, Robert, she established the Myra and Robert Kraft Israel Initiative at Brandeis University. Since then, nearly 300 Hornstein students have participated in this intensive seminar in Israel, a cornerstone of the Hornstein Program's curriculum for over 30 years.

Highlights of this year's seminar

Julia Smirnova '12, Eli Massel '14

There are lots of ways to stay connected with your fellow Hornstein alumni. Join the Brandeis Hornstein facebook group just for alumni, or our Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program group on Linked-In. And, of course, don't forget to click here to see what your classmates are up to.

Yana Drozdovski '13, Joe Reimer, Amy Sales, Matt Brown '13

Ever on the move, Hornstein faculty members are sought after for their expertise on both the contemporary and historical Jewish communities. Faculty members travel throughout the US and internationally conducting research, presenting papers and lectures, and accompany students on intensive seminars. Most importantly, though, the Hornstein faculty takes pride in teaching and mentoring the next generation of Jewish leadership, the Hornstein students. Faculty Notes

Dan Lange '13, Dani Shulman '13

A lot has changed since the Hornstein Program was founded back in 1969, but not our commitment to training the next generation of Jewish communal leaders. Hornstein grads - smart, creative, and mission-driven - continue to be in high demand. Jobs list for classes 2009-12

Do you know a great prospective student? Let us know at [email protected] or 781-736-2990.