Drew University student Jeremy Dery visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem while studying abroad at Tel Aviv University.
Photo by Jelle Bensoussan
If you go
Operation Magic Carpet will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, from 7 to 10 p.m. in Room 107 of the University Center on the Drew campus, 36 Madison Ave., Madison.
Those interested in attending the program can contact Jeremy Dery at Jdery@drew.edu or 973-454-2867.
November 27, 2008
Six months after successfully challenging a rule barring study abroad in Israel, Drew University undergraduate Jeremy Dery is back on campus, waging a new campaign.
Dery is organizing a program he calls “Operation Magic Carpet,” an intercollegiate effort to promote study, travel, and internships in Israel.
It will be held on Dec. 4 at the Drew campus in Madison. Representatives from 20 Jewish organizations are expected to attend and offer information about their study and travel programs, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, Birthright Israel, and Hillel chapters from campuses in the tristate area.
The evening will include Israeli food, music, dancing, and comedy.
Dery, now a junior majoring in Middle East studies, spent the second semester of his sophomore year in Tel Aviv, taking courses in Hebrew, Jewish issues, Israeli politics, and Islamic ideologies.
He made headlines last year when Drew denied his request for a semester of study at Tel Aviv University, citing insurance and safety reasons.
The Livingston resident fought back, enlisting the support of the media and leaders in the MetroWest Jewish community. Together, they persuaded administrators to liberalize Drew’s travel policies and give Dery credit for his study in Israel.
Dery said he plans to return to Tel Aviv University for the second semester of his junior year and will spend next summer as an intern in the Knesset.
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