In response to traditional volunteer programs that have Americans parachuting in and out of countries worldwide with no long-term effects, Masa Israel Journey recently launched two new, integrated volunteer programs that team up American and Israeli volunteers to create sustainable projects in Israel’s underserved periphery. Through the five-month Yahel Social Change Program, Americans work with Israeli grassroots organizations to create community-driven educational projects in immigrant communities. In the 10-month Ma’ase Olam program, Americans join Israeli peers in their own communities and volunteer with local NGOs. The Yahel Social Change Program, based in Gedera, launched in 2010 with six North American participants, five whom stayed on for the spring 2011 semester. By teaming up … Continue Reading
Intensive Leadership Training in Israel Empowers Next Generation of Jews
This week, 500 young adults are participating in Building Future Leadership, Masa Israel Journey’s intensive leadership program in Israel. Chosen from nearly 10,000 current Masa participants from around the world, Building Future Leadership will prepare these young adults to fill leadership positions when they return to their campuses and communities. Various Jewish campus and communal organizations are now actively seeking Masa Israel alumni to take leadership positions upon their return home. Building Future Leadership’s week-long events include discussions about critical issues facing the Jewish people, leadership skill development sessions focused on entrepreneurship, public speaking, and networking, trips to the Knesset and Yad Vashem, and meetings with social activists and community … Continue Reading
Israel Calls on Jewish Americans to Close Achievement Gap
In order to address Israel's educational inequity and the widespread under-performance of youth in low-income communities, Masa Israel Journey and the Israeli Ministry of Education are launching Israel Teaching Fellows to serve as volunteer English teachers throughout Israel. Through this initiative, 100 exemplary North American college graduates will be chosen to teach in underprivileged communities in Israel for a 10-month service program. Similar programs are JET in Japan, EPIK in Korea, Teaching Assistant Program in France, North American Language and Cultural Assistants in Spain and English Opens Doors in Chile. Following an initial training period, the Teaching Fellows will live in small groups in communities in Israel and teach for 20 hours a week. The Teaching Fellows will also … Continue Reading
Herzliya Conference Looks at Israel Experience Programs
At the recent Herzliya Conference, one of the very few panels that digressed from discussing Israel's security needs, turned to another area of concern, engaging the next generation as it relates to Israel. The panel, entitled, Binding the Ties: Leveraging the Israel Experience Programs among the World Jewish Young Generations, examined the distancing among Jewish youth in the Diaspora from Israel. While some panelists relied to heavily on outdated studies, the general consensus was that hands-on experiences develop strong bonds that can be leveraged for the benefit of both Israel and Diaspora communities. Some key points from the panel: The Jewish world lacks a master plan for the critical field of teenage/young adult Israel travel. While there was general agreement on the need to … Continue Reading
The New Jewish Agency
The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors, bringing together representatives from Jewish communities around the world this week at Jerusalem's Inbal Hotel, approved a new structure for the organization which will focus on connecting young Diaspora Jews with Israel and increasing aliyah, according to a strategic plan led by the Chairman of the organization Natan Sharansky. The new plan is aimed at providing solutions to the challenges the Jewish world faces in light of changing realities, including a distancing of young Diaspora Jews from their Jewish identity, and the end of era of “aliyah of distress” to Israel. Up until this week, the Jewish Agency operated through three departments working in three distinct areas: aliyah, education in the Diaspora, and strengthening Israeli society. The … Continue Reading
Israel Welcomes Displaced American Students from Egypt
In light of the recent unrest in Egypt, Masa Israel Journey programs have welcomed 21 displaced North American students to Israel to continue their Arabic language studies. Twelve students have enrolled in The Rothberg International School at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, eight in the International School at the University of Haifa, and one in Givat Haviva's Intensive Arabic Semester. The Rothberg International School worked closely with study abroad directors at Princeton University, Vanderbilt University, University of California Schools, Michigan State University, and Allegheny University to place students who had been studying in Egypt into its program. The International School at the University of Haifa worked closely with Elon University to absorb five of its students who were … Continue Reading
MASA Institutes New Controls Following Participant Audit
Israel program provider MASA, is tightening financial controls following a program audit in which only a quarter of registered students were present. from Haaretz: Yeshiva, suspected of fraud, returns $410k in stipends to Masa The police recently concluded an extended investigation into the alleged fraud of a local yeshiva accused of defrauding the Masa Israel project, Anglo File has learned. The police officer in charge of the case said the results of his investigation were transferred to the state attorney’s office due to a “strong suspicion” of illegal activity by yeshiva administrators. The yeshiva received $410,000 in stipends from Masa for students who signed up for the program but apparently did not attend the institution. The yeshiva, Tomchei Tmimim in Migdal Ha’emek - … Continue Reading
Jewish Agency Student Conference Opens Today in Germany
Today, in Weimar, Germany, The Jewish Agency for Israel will open a multi-day student conference for nearly 400 Taglit and Masa Israel alumni. Titled, Jewish Agency for Israel Student Conference: From Herzl until Today, the conference will bring together German-speaking young adults from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the founder of modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl. The focus will be on modern Israel, its centrality in the Jewish world and the global campaign to de-legitimize Israel. Weimer is a significant location for the first German speaking conference of this kind as it was not only the home of many cultural greats, including Bach, Goethe and Nietzsche, but also the location of Buchenwald, the former concentration camp. This conference … Continue Reading
Hillel, ICC Announce New Strategic Approach
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) announced today a new approach and enhanced resources for Israel education, engagement and advocacy on campus. While continuing their eight-year partnership, Hillel will be creating a new Center for Israel Engagement, and the ICC will become an independent advocacy organization. With enhanced resources from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (CLSFF), Hillel and ICC will continue to work closely together to support Israel on campus, with ICC serving as Hillel’s primary advocacy partner, bringing expertise, training, resources and a national network to support campus professionals and students around the country. In addition to working with ICC to support campus advocacy efforts, Hillel will … Continue Reading
Top American Service Programs Explore Volunteer Opportunities in Israel
Representatives from leading American service organizations, including Teach for America, Peace Corps, City Year, and other organizations are currently traveling through Israel while exploring volunteer opportunities offered through Masa Israel Journey. With young adults’ growing interest in international volunteer opportunities, Masa Israel, a joint project of the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel, is making Israel a global hub for service programs. Masa Israel collaborated with Leadership Development at City Year to develop this study tour that will enable American and Israeli service organizations to share best practices in leadership development and community service. Among the 19 service organizations participating in this study tour are Teach for America, Peace Corps, … Continue Reading
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