By Christina Jenkins
Daily Bruin Contributor
Less than two weeks after he arrived in Israel last August, a
Sbarro pizza restaurant was rocked by a suicide bombing and since
then, he said, Jerusalem has been a target.
Robbie Hurwitz, a third-year political science student taking
courses at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said he will decide
after speaking with UC officials in the next few days whether to
remain in Israel for the remainder of the academic year.
On Tuesday, the UC recommended that all of its Education Abroad
Program students in Israel return home because of intensified
threats to student safety.
“I’ve heard suicide gunmen through my window.
Students have seen blood and limbs lying on the sidewalks. You can
just imagine the psychological trauma,” Hurwitz said.
Nevertheless, he said that what we see on television is
different from reality.
“Most people in Jerusalem are very cautious, very
depressed,” he said. “They do their best to maintain a
daily routine. People still go to work, people still go to school,
people still do their shopping.”
Rhonda Hurwitz, Robbie’s mother, said the UC doesn’t
want EAP students to go where there are large crowds.
“They don’t want them in clubs, discos, cafes,
restaurants or other high-profile areas,” she said. These
venues have historically been targeted by suicide bombers.
EAP in Israel will be suspended as of April 11, and the fall
program is on hold pending a re-evaluation of security.
“If we are still in the country at the stroke of midnight
(of April 11), we will automatically be withdrawn (from the
UC),” Hurwitz said.
UC officials told him that by a university-wide policy, students
can withdraw from the UC for one quarter and still be guaranteed
readmission to their home campus the following quarter.
If he decides to stay in Israel, Hurwitz said he would enroll as
a private student at Hebrew University. However, he cannot speak
with Hebrew University officials in Israel until April 7 because
the school has been in recess the past two weeks to observe
Passover.
“My parents are worried about my safety, but they still
believe that I’m an adult and that I should make my own
decisions,” Hurwitz said.
Rhonda agrees.
“We will respect his decisions, and we trust his ability
to be safe,” she said.
“For the most part, his purpose there is mostly to study,
and that’s why he’s upset at having to come
back,” she added.
One question that remains unanswered by UC officials is whether
grades Hurwitz will earn in Jerusalem can be transferred when he
returns to UCLA.
A second UCLA student in Israel has decided to stay in the
country until the end of the academic year.
Jennifer Dekel, a third-year communications student, has been
studying in Israel since July.
“I have decided to remain in Israel, and I am deeply
disappointed in EAP’s decision to (suspend) its programs. I
do not believe that it is anyone else’s position to decide
for me whether or not I feel safe living here,” Dekel said in
an e-mail to The Bruin.
Dekel echoed Hurwitz’s sentiments that “while people
are not in the best of spirits … they still continue on with
their daily lives.”
Hurwitz said he doesn’t know if the third UCLA EAP student
in Israel intends to stay. The student could not be reached for
comment.
Before his year abroad, Hurwitz was executive vice president of
the Jewish Student Union and was a member of the marching band.
UCLA is not aware of any other undergraduate students currently
studying in Israel, besides those affiliated with EAP, said Emily
Mohajeri Norris, administrative director of EAP. UCLA graduate
schools also reported having no students abroad.