Jewish Agency, Ministry of Education Launch Israeli Teach for America

Seeking to address the widespread under-performance of youth in low-income communities, while offering a unique Israel experience to participants, Israel Teaching Fellows launched this week. A new, joint, initiative of the Ministry of Education and Masa Israel Journey, the program brings 75 university graduates from North America to Israel to volunteer as English teachers in schools across the country. In doing so, Israel is joining a handful of countries who “import” English teachers from abroad, including Japan, South Korea and France.

Immediately following the high holidays, the volunteers will be placed in elementary schools in Petah Tikva, Rishon Lezion, Rehovot, Netanya, Ramle and Lod. Following an initial training period, the volunteers will live in small groups in these communities and teach for 20 hours a week. The fellows will also design secondary volunteer projects in their host communities. Ongoing pedagogical support, Hebrew ulpan, host families and trips will be provided throughout their time in Israel.

The program’s launch event took place at Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People, in Tel Aviv on Monday.

Israel Teaching Fellows is an initiative of the Ministry of Education and Masa Israel Journey, a project of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel.

photo courtesy Muki Schwartz