Sergey Kadinsky

These photos were created in the Summer of 2006, as a Media Fellow at the Jerusalem office of The Israel Project

Before the Media Fellows went their separate paths, we all took photos with Israel's First Brother, Dr. Yossi Olmert. Though I am openly right-wing, I did not bother to debate Yossi. He is eloquent, humorous, and knowledgeable. We have more in common than opposed. He speaks Russian, too!

Meeting with former Ambassador Dennis Ross. I pointed out that Israel gave up Gaza, and they're still firing Qassams at us!

On the left are Calev ben David and Deena Friedman, who lead the Israel Project office in Jerusalem. On the right, Vitali Gueron of Minnesota welcomes the Media Fellows into the airport limo.

The road to Jerusalem. In the days of our ancestors, it took at least three days to travel from Yafo to Yerushalayim. This ride took less than an hour. In the last few minutes before Shabbat, Yerushalayim's streets were all quiet, making for easy driving.

Dancing in the Streets. Hip hop is active in Israel, with a diverse audience of local residents and visitors. I feel blessed to live so close to Ben Yehuda Street, where i can get a meal any time. The street was named after Eliezer ben Yehuda, a 19th century Zionist and scholar who promoted the revival of Hebrew as a spoken language.

This is a view of the neighborhood in Yerushalayim where I live. On the horizon is the King David Hotel. Below it is the old US Consulate on Shmuel Agron Street. This view is taken from Independence Park.

On June 13th, Birthright Israel- Taglit celebrated its sixth year, and the arrival of its 100,000th participant in Israel. Alongside the singing and dancing were Vice Premier and founding father Shimon Peres, MKs Rabbi Michael Melchior and Eliyahu Gabai, Absorption Minister Zeev Boim, and the three founding philanthropists of Birthright Israel.

Drummers pumped beats into the crowd, energizing them in preparation for the philantropists' speeches. Pictured is Shimon Peres congratulating them. Most of the participants may have music and drinking on their minds, but polls show that the trip creates long-lasting effects on their souls, making them more conscious of their Jewish identities. Some become more observant in Judaism, others become pro-Israel activists, and a brave few have made Aliyah and defending the people and land of Israel.

The singer who performer Naomi Shemer's Yerushalayim Shel Zahav gradually descended down from the Latrun fortress to the concert stage. Lyrics posted on the screen made sure that everyone would be able to participate.

Matt Lebovic, a participant on Birthright Israel's first trip to Israel also dances to the beat. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at Hebrew University. He is an example of a Birthright success story. His blog can be found on http://mattlebovic.blogs.friendster.com

I am impressed by his ability to expose leftist professors at Hebrew University, who are undermining the image of Israel in their classes. However, I strongly oppose Matt's support of a court-ordered Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem. Such a parade would only add tension to the precarious social fabric of the city.

The defenders of Israel also dance to the music. They may be a mean fighting machine, but they still are young and know how to have a good time.