DEAR ALL is about Ruth Miriam Ziff Adler’s year in Israel from August 1961-1962  on Bnei Akiva Hochshara at Kibbutz Yavneh and the “year in Israel”/“gap year” after high school programs. While in Israel Ruth wrote letters (“Dear All”) to her family, which are presented in this book and give an insight into her experience during the year program and life in Israel in the early 1960’s. There is also an introduction which summarizes and discusses various topics which the letters relate to, such as kibbutz life, religion in Israel, how the program influenced Ruth’s Zionism, religious beliefs and personality, and what American youth knew about Israel and the Holocaust. Photos which Ruth took that year appear in the book, as do articles from “hometown” Minneapolis papers describing Ruth’s year in Israel.The “year in Israel” programs have since become a part of American Jewish culture and this book explores their effect on young people and whether they are worthwhile on a personal and community level, what their content should be and what effect they have had on American Jewish culture and religion.The “Dear All” letters describe Ruth’s program, which consisted of kibbutz work chores, Jewish religious studies and preparations for making Aliyah (immigrating to Israel and living on a kibbutz). There are descriptions of many aspects of kibbutz life and, in addition, the group’s travels around Israel. Israeli history unfolds thru Ruth’s letters and the footnote explanations relating to sites, institutions and people. Also, there are many interesting and amusing descriptions of Israel in the 1960’s, such as kibbutz food and eating habits, the difficulties of phoning from a public telephone booth, “long winded propaganda” speeches by officials, and how to deal with the antiquated Israeli customs regulations. Ruth’s letters also discuss whether she should live in Israel, learning about the holocaust from survivors and the Eichmann trial, the shock of hearing Jordanian radio broadcasts talk about the destruction of Israel and other issues which are still relevant today. For those who have been on year programs or visited Israel this diary of a young girl can be a nostalgic reminder of their experiences. For those who plan to spend time in Israel after high school Ruths letters can increase their understanding of what awaits them and provide insights into what they should strive to achieve from their program.