The IDC

“Selecting each year’s RRIS counselors is one of
the hardest jobs there is,” says Merav Atar, RRIS
director of Student Affairs.
Atar, an Israeli who has worked for the Jewish
Agency in New York, explains to me how
selective the process actually is, with each
counselor handpicked for the job. “This past year, 150
students applied, and only 16 were chosen,” says Atar.
“They stand in line and want to be part of the spirit of
the RRIS counselors’ team. It’s very hard to turn people
down.”
More than ever, Israeli students at IDC want to become
RRIS counselors. This is especially amazing as the
salary paid is negligible, the hours are long and the
work is intense. So why is it one of the most sought
after jobs in town?
“The RRIS is becoming known on campus as an exciting place to be,”
explains Atar, “and they want to be part of that. They know the students
and staff have fun, and they want not just to be a counselor, but to be a
part of the team and to engage with young, talented people from around
the world.”
46 < IDC Winter 2010
Merav Atar, RRIS director of Student Affairs
Starting university is, by itself, one of the greatest
culture shocks a person can experience. Add to that
the shock of arriving in a foreign country and one can
begin to imagine what it’s like to be an incoming RRIS
student. To create a soft landing for these students and
to ensure that each one is taken care of individually,
the RRIS instituted the counselor program.Upon their
arrival, all new RRIS students receive a counselor – a
‘big brother’ or sister to accompany them throughout
the entire year and help in their integration with IDC
and Israel.
Besides having experienced the demands of being an
IDC student, the counselors have all dealt in one way or
another in the international arena. They have worked
with Jews in the Diaspora and found themselves in
situations that helped them to build their empathy,
openness and understanding – key qualities for being a counselor. By
coming from that experience, as well as the special training they receive as
counselors, they are able to connect with their assigned students and create
a rapport and trust that will serve their charges throughout the year ahead.
In the first one on one meeting, the counselor and new student exchange
life stories. They discuss why the new student came to IDC, what their
“i DeciDeD tO Be A cOunselOr BecAuse these
stuDents Are gOing thrOugh sOme Of the
exPeriences i went thrOugh when i cAme tO
isrAel fOr the first time. it’s A resPOnsiBility
yOu tAke On yOurself, like Being An Officer in
the Army. yOu DO it if yOu hAve the Drive tO helP
the PeOPle ArOunD yOu” - Eran Naot, third year communications student at the RRIS
At the Counselors preparation evening, from left: Gil Stein, Shani Mizrachi, Einat Dahari, Tal Shulzinger, Oz Laniado and Jonathan Giron