Brett and Lauren Shapiro, Jewish Federation Young Adult Division Chairs, recently returned from Israel having traveled there for the first time with a Temple/Sherith Israel Mission led by Rabbi Shana Mackler and Rabbi Saul Strosberg.  Lauren and Brett wanted to make an impact on the lives of young Ethiopian Israelis by collecting and bringing school supplies to Israel.  The Shapiros, through the Jewish Federation, made the connection with the Ethiopian National Project.  According to Lauren, "we wanted to help children who have been through so much.  We wanted to do what little we could and not forget them as we traveled to our shared homeland."  These school supplies will make an impact in assisting Ethiopian students achieve their academic potential.  Many of these youngsters are participating in after-school programs, tutorial services and mentoring programs to help bridge the social, economic and educational gaps in Israeli society.  Thank you to the Shapiros for organizing this initiative.