Shalom! My name is Asher Cohen, and I am a high school sophomore in Bethesda, Maryland. I have four older sisters, and one younger brother. Although I now live in the United States, I grew up in Singapore, which has a small Jewish community of just 1500 people. I'm looking forward to spending a semester in Israel with the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program.

I am excited to participate in the Dream Israel Teen Initiative, which raises money and funds important charitable projects in Israel. Jewish National Fund-USA supports Israel and Israelis in a number of ways. Specifically, the money that I raise will go directly toward helping Israelis with disabilities and special needs. This initiative means a lot to me because at my local Maryland high school I volunteer with Best Buddies which seeks to end the isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
If I meet my fundraising goal, Jewish National Fund-USA will provide me with a grant towards my own Israel travel experience. This would give me the opportunity to meet Israelis whose lives have been changed due to our support, and to explore my own connection to the land and people of Israel.

Please consider supporting this important initiative and my efforts to meet my fundraising goal.