The Shapiro Family Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for future leaders to deepen their personal knowledge and appreciation of Israeli life and society, and strengthen their Jewish identity and personal connections to Israel. The first fellowships were awarded this year to promising college graduates between the ages of 21 and 28 who currently live in the greater New York metropolitan area and who have previously been to Israel.

On Wednesday, April 16th, the 2008 Shapiro fellows met for the first time at UJA-Federation of New York. The fellows spoke with the Shapiro family and UJA-Federation Executive Vice President & CEO John S. Ruskay and participated in an educational activity prepared by the Shapiro Fellowship educators. Check out photos from the opening event above.

To follow the 2008 fellows as they explore Israel on a unique journey, just subscribe to the Shapiro Fellowship Blog and our flickr stream. We’ll be in Israel from Wednesday, June 11 through Thursday, June 26.