Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Dov Hillel Klein was honored last week for his years-long dedication in bringing Jewish students to Israel.

The Jerusalem ceremony noted the 25 free 10-day trips Klein, executive director of the Tannenbaum Chabad Nouse at Northwestern University, has led as part of the Birthright Israel program. Each of the trips was provided by the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies.

“Being able to instill in students a passion for Israel, Judaism and pride in the Jewish people is worth more than anything,” said Klein, who went on to thank Mayanot, Taglit-Birthright and Jewish Journey for enabling him to bring more than 2,000 students to Israel over the past decade.

Rabbi Shlomo Gestetner, dean of Mayanot, praised Klein for his hard work over the years.

“Twenty five trips is a true achievement and we look forward with anticipation to many more successful trips with Rabbi Klein and our other facilitators,” he said.

Northwestern alumnus and longtime friend Gil Hoffman, a political correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, presented the rabbi with a plaque in acknowledgement of his service.