Eisenhower High Student Selected for Mickey Leland Kibbutzim Internship

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Learning during the summer is not the dream of every high school student. But a chance to travel half way across world to study in Israel is a dream come true for one Eisenhower High School student. Eleazar Mendoza, a junior and an International Baccalaureate student at the campus, thinks globally and has an insatiable appetite for learning about other people’s cultures and customs as well as how others see the world. When the opportunity to apply for The Mickey Leland Kibbutzim Internship program presented itself, Mendoza jumped at the chance.

The Mickey Leland Kibbutzim internship program is designed to inspire inner-city youth from the 18th Congressional District that demonstrate leadership skills toward higher achievement and to become citizens of the world. Over the years, more than 250 students have had the chance to travel to Israel. Mendoza is the second student selected from Eisenhower High School in the last two years for the internship.

The process, which includes interviews from board members, is highly competitive with 10-girls and 10-boys being selected as finalists. Eleazar discovered that the intense interview process allowed him to reflect on the opportunities he has had in the U.S.

“The U.S. has provided me with educational opportunities unparalleled to my homeland (Mexico) … having the experience to travel to Israel would have been unheard of in a Mexican high school,” stated Mendoza. “I am so excited about the trip … I think the different perspectives on life, education, religion … will be exciting to learn about on this internship.”

In her letter of recommendation, Dr. MichaelAnn Kelley, Mendoza’s art teacher at Eisenhower High, praised him for being an outstanding academic student. She also acknowledged his artwork, which has been honored at the Visual Art Scholastic Event, and lauded his participation in extracurricular activities such as Spanish Club where he has also excelled at the state conference.

“Leadership, creativity and collaboration are foundational pieces in Eleazar’s character and are reflected in his activities,” wrote Kelley.

Mendoza and the other young interns will experience life on a kibbutz, which is a collective community traditionally based in agriculture and known for hosting tourists and manufacturing a wide variety of products. The interns are given an opportunity to work and travel while in Israel so that they can learn about the diverse culture. Activities include touring Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious sites, visiting an Ethiopian absorption center and living with an Israeli family.

The program is organized, coordinated and funded by The Mickey Leland Kibbutzim Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. The interns are responsible for their own spending money for personal items. The internship program covers all other costs such as travel and accommodations.

For more information, visit the Mickey Leland Kibbutzim Internship website.