This month, three young adults from Kulanu’s overseas communities will be delving into Jewish learning, culture, and community, and meeting other Jews from around the world at the Brandeis Collegiate Institute’s summer program. BCI, considered “a laboratory for living Judaism,” is offered for Jewish people of all backgrounds, ages 18 to 26. Mazal Tov to Susan from Uganda, and Yeheng and Jiaxin from China, on being accepted into this intensive experience! This summer will surely have a powerful impact on these emerging leaders.

Susan Shoshannah Nambi, 23, is from the Abayudaya community of Uganda, and attended the Abayudaya primary and secondary schools supported by Kulanu. She recently graduated from Kampala International University with a BA in business/finance and now works as an administrator at the Tobin Health Center near Mbale. In addition, Susan is the proud mother of 3-year-old daughter Emunah.

You Yeheng (left), 22, and Wang Jiaxin (right), 21, just arrived early this morning from Kaifeng, China, where they are involved in the Beit HaTikvah School supported by Kulanu. The two will first spend a weekend at the Jewish Multi-Racial Network Annual Retreat in Pennsylvania before traveling to California for the month-long BCI program. After that, they will both volunteer as counselors at Camp Newman, a Reform Jewish camp in Santa Rosa, CA. Jiaxin flies back to China after Camp Newman, while Yeheng heads to Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim in Silver Spring, MD, for a one-month internship in early childhood care before she returns home to Kaifeng.

I am so happy this opportunity became a reality for Susan, Yeheng and Jiaxin — this is the first time Kulanu has sponsored participants in this program, and I can’t wait to see what will develop after such an incredible journey! The Brandeis Collegiate Institute is located near Los Angeles, CA, and the summer immersion program runs from June 19 to July 15, 2012. See their website for more: http://bci.ajula.edu/default.aspx