Source: eJewish Philanthropy
Eleven hundred high school seniors from twenty-five Jewish schools across France celebrated the third night of Hanukkah (Thursday, December 18, 2014) in Jerusalem. Participants enjoyed performances by Israeli singer-songwriter Yonatan Razel and IDF Chief Cantor Lt. Col. Shai Abramson, accompanied by the IDF Rabbinate Troupe. Bac Bleu Blanc (“High School Seniors in Blue and White”) is a program run by The Jewish Agency for Israel, with the support of Keren Hayesod-UIA, that brings French Jewish high school seniors to Israel on a one-week educational trip every winter.
Since Bac Bleu Blanc‘s creation eleven years ago, some 10,000 students from twenty-five French Jewish high schools have come to Israel as part of the program. This year marks the program’s twelfth session, and for the first time ever, several dozen Jewish students who attend French public schools are participating, as well. During the course of their time in Israel, participants visit various sites of educational and historical significance, meet with their Israeli peers, and are exposed to institutions of higher learning and gap year programs operated under the auspices of Masa Israel Journey.