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Did you ever wonder how your family could take a trip to Israel without leaving Monmouth County, and return the same day full of souvenirs, fun facts, great food, and a full passport? Israel University Day, in the Chai Building of the Marlboro Jewish Center on Sunday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon, offered these opportunities and more.

The point is not to take the place of an actual trip to Israel, but rather to make participants want to plan such a trip. Israel University Day was open to the public, but built into the synagogue's religious school schedule. Each grade went on a rotating tour of different Israeli cities, located in the building's myriad classrooms. "Acre" invited everyone to speed-solve a puzzle of the map of Israel. "Tiberius" featured silver etching design from the renowned Betzalel School with Jewish National Fund Content Manager Nina Woldin. "Naharia" featured Israel Monopoly, with a king-size board created by Felicia Siegel and Alexis Bernstein. "Metula" enrolled folks on a supermarket trip as they shopped with real shekels and authentic Israeli foods. A shofar call signaled station changes at periodic intervals.

Rabbi Tony Shy of the Marlboro Jewish Center, said, "A year ago we thought of this. Tmima [Grinvald] took it by the horns. We planned it, and everyone got involved and that's what we love. Of course the cause couldn't be better. It's always nice to have everyone come out and you get to educate and enjoy at the same time; so you hit all your objectives at once! Plus we [involved] every grade level. What pleases me the most is that we were able to connect people with Israel and that's the bottom line -- to have people understand that."

At the program's helm were Raya Benhaim and Tmima Grinvald. Grinvald, a life-coach, hails from Givat Haim, outside Haifa. Benhaim, a native of Cholon (near Tel Aviv), teaches 3rd grade in the religious school. As Benhaim led a guest from city to city, she excitedly touted each station as "the best one!" The day was five months in the making. Grinvald wanted to create a day that would bring Israel to the congregation and community, so that especially the children could have a hands-on experience. Benhaim happily hopped aboard as Grinvald's partner-in-crime. "The point is to give to the kids," says Benhaim, "but also to include the adults."

And did the kids get it? Margo, 9, said, "We're learning more about Israel, and there are games about Israel, and it's just plain fun!" Among Margo's newfound knowledge: "That Jordan and Syria are actually really close countries to Israel." Hayley, 8: "I learned more about Israeli culture, especially the songs." Joshua, 9: "I think Hebrew School is fun here." So why is this day different from all other days? "We're switching classrooms, having more fun than usual, learning different techniques. Changes are good. It's good to have something different every once in a while. Every project we complete is like a souvenir to remember today."

Grinvald and Benhaim traversed every creative and practical avenue to produce the University, and it was clear that many, many people helped out with glad hearts. When Grinvald is asked how to recruit volunteers, her son Nimrod throws back his head with hearty laughter; if her son is a willing participant, imagine the joyful planning of the non-relatives! Grinvald's recipe for success is, "To join them to purpose. To touch their hearts; to hearts; to have them feel that they really make a difference and to show them that they're appreciated."

Adults and teens weren't left out by any means. The youth lounge featured a history quiz bowl and Jeopardy match. Ben Steward of the Israel Defense Forces spoke about the experiences of an American in the IDF, and Geri Shatz talked about the Jewish National Fund's current activities. All morning long, "Schenken Street" transformed the gymnasium into a lively thoroughfare of stores, including an aromatic coffee shop that boasted two varieties of borekas. Everyone came together at the end of the event to enjoy a concert of Israeli music by MJC's adult choir and its 3rd-grade singers. The two groups performed both independently and jointly. The crowd grooved to "Hineh Mah Tov" in both Hebrew and sign language; "Chazak Chazak V'Nit-cha-zek" (Strength, strength, and we will strengthen together); "Y'hei Sh'lama Rabba", and a rousing "David Melekh / Siman Tov u-Mazal Tov," among others. Skylar, a 9-year-old singer, grinned that she "felt good about" being picked to sing for this special day. "I got to do different things. I was special because it was only my grade singing." Cantor Wayne Krieger and Nancy Beller-Krieger helmed the combined choirs.

The formal festivities ended with everyone rising to sing, "HaTikvah." Upon entering and leaving the building, one could not help noticing a re-creation of the Kotel, complete with Jerusalem bricks (fashioned in paper), and intermittent foliage. The cracks in the wall featured notes containing the prayers, hopes, dreams, and wishes of many of the day's attendees.