UF Hillel is challenging students to walk the length of Israel.
Participants will walk 296 miles around campus, which reflects the distance from Eilat, the southernmost point of Israel, to the northern city of Haifa.
Although Haifa is not the northernmost point of Israel, there is a connection between UF and Haifa because many UF students have studied abroad at the University of Haifa, said UF Hillel Engagement Associate Melissa Kansky.
“The two cities will resonate well,” Kansky said. “Having this connection helps with realizing the distance and how small the country really is.”
The event began last week. This is a chance to maintain students’ connections to Israel in their busy lives, she said.
According to Google Maps, the walk from Eilat to Haifa will take about 87 hours. Kansky said the first 40 participants who signed up for the walk were given a pedometer to track their miles.
Lauren Friedman, UF Hillel public relations student director, said “Walk Across Israel” will help students keep Israel in their thoughts on a daily basis.
“I think not only will it keep students aware of Israel, but it will also remind them how important community and exercise are,” said the 21-year-old public relations senior. “It is amazing that Hillel is providing a program that not only gets students talking about Israel but also encourages them to exercise alongside their friends.”
Kansky said there are prizes for students as they reach distance goals. Once participants walk the 195 miles to reach Jerusalem from Eilat, Hillel will host a falafel night. There will also be a party for when students reach the 212-mile mark, the distance to Tel Aviv, Israel’s party capital. Students have the opportunity to run the stadiums for an extra challenge in light of the hike to the summit of Mountain Masada.
The walk encourages students to appreciate Jewish value, and it also enforces exercise and a healthy lifestyle, Friedman said.
Although UF Hillel is hosting “Walk Across Israel,” the program is open to all students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
“The event will connect students to Jewish life in a way that fits their interests by creating and modifying a Jewish program that matches their habits,” Kansky said. “They won’t be limited to being inside of Hillel, and they can take their Judaism and culture outside.”
A version of this story ran on page 4 on 10/7/2013 under the headline "UF students to walk across Israel — without leaving Gainesville"
