Students in Write On for Israel Cohort 11 on their Israel mission.

Twenty high school seniors from across the Chicago area graduated from Write On for Israel on Tuesday, April 5.

In a gala ceremony attended by parents, teachers and other members of the community, the teens of Cohort 11 celebrated their completion of the two-year fellowship and shared insights about the skills and knowledge they will take to campus next year.

“We didn’t learn some fantasy about Israel,” said Matthew Rivlin, who will graduate from Deerfield High School later this spring. “We learned reality. A lot of people will not agree with us, but we have a support system within our cohort and with the people at JUF. We will be able to take on the challenge in the next four years and beyond.”

Also at the ceremony, Write On alumnus Daniel Hochberg was honored with the White Rose Award in recognition of his courage of conviction and leadership in Israel advocacy at Boston University. The White Rose Award is supported by the Dr. Herbert and Shari Rosen Foundation.

Write On for Israel is now accepting applications for its next cohort from Chicago-area Jewish teens who are completing their sophomore year of high school. Get more information and apply here by Friday, May 6.