Jared Vergotine should be allowed to go to Chalutzim, and here's why: 1. Chalutzim is a life-changing experience, one that it's unlikely he'll ever have the oppurtunity to have again. As he spends seven weeks at the camp he loves, he'll form incredible bonds with the boys in his cabin and everyone in his unit, and he'll make memories that will last with him his entire life. 2. A summer away from home will help him learn and develop important skills. As one of the oldest kids in camp, he'll need to take on a role of leadership. He and his fellow campers will run events with the younger kids, and he will learn how to guide a group and lead them in each activity. In addition to this, spending this amount of time on his own helps him to develop into a more responsible person. As every summer spent at OSRUI, and maybe more so, he'll be hugely independent, and he'll be able to grow into a smarter, more accountable, more reliable man. He'll also come to know what his Judaism means to him, and become independent in that regard. 3. Chalutzim is a learning experience unlike any other. In Chalutzim, Jared will be totally immersed in the Hebrew language. Spoken to only in Hebrew, by Israelis, he'll be introduced to the language and by the end of the seven weeks, he'll be able to speak it amazingly well. This goes past just the language though. He'll learn about Israel and Israeli life, making him a more cultured and well rounded person. These are just a few of the many reasons why Chalutzim would be an enriching, valuable experience in Jared's life, and why it's imperative that he be allowed to go. Finally, this may sound selfish on our behalf but Jared is a close friend to many of us and he would not be the only one disappointed if he wasn't able to come this summer. For our sake, and his, we hope that you will allow him to come to Chalutzim.

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