Thousands of Masa Israel Participants Gather for Welcome Event

November 2, 2016
Masa Israel Journey 2016-2017 gap year participants start an impromptu dance party in the lobby of Jerusalem’s ICC, in preparation for My Masa, Masa Israel’s annual welcome event, celebrated October 31, 2016. Photo by Ran Biran
Masa Israel Journey 2016-2017 gap year participants start an impromptu dance party in the lobby of Jerusalem’s ICC, in preparation for Masa Israel’s annual welcome event; photo by Ran Biran.

Masa Israel Journey held its annual Welcome Event on Monday evening in Jerusalem.

Masa Israel Journey 2016-17 participants (including interns, volunteers, and students who recently arrived to spend several months to a year in Israel, depending upon their program) celebrated the transformative experiences that await them together at My Masa, a welcome event on October 31, 2016, at Jerusalem’s ICC. Photo by Ran Biran.
Participants (including interns, volunteers, and students) celebrated the transformative experiences that await them together; photo by Ran Biran.

The gathering serves to officially welcome thousands of the 12,000 18-30 year-olds who have recently arrived in Israel to participate in dozens of long-term Israel programs including gap years, study abroad, internships, teaching English to young students, and other post-college initiatives.

Israeli reggae band Hatikva 6 takes the stage and brings thousands of Masa Israel Journey 2016-17 participants to their feet at My Masa, a welcome event celebrated on October 31, 2016, at Jerusalem’s ICC; photo by Ran Biran.
Israeli reggae band Hatikva 6 on October 31, 2016, at Jerusalem’s ICC; photo by Ran Biran.

With Israeli TV personality Jason Danino Holt as emcee, participants were entertained by live music from Yemenite electronic folk band A-WA and Israeli reggae group Hatikva 6. American-Israeli comedian Benji Lovitt hosted a Jewish geography game show.

Participants from the United States and Russia show off their national pride; \celebrated October 31, 2016, at Jerusalem’s ICC. photo by Ran Biran
Participants from the United States and Russia show off their national pride; photo by Ran Biran.

“We bring thousands of Masa Israel Journey program participants together at this pep rally-style event, so they can get a taste of the exciting journey they each have ahead of them,” said Masa Israel Journey CEO, Liran Avisar. “We want all of our participants to understand that they are now part of a community larger than themselves, and a network that goes far beyond the specific programs on which they are enrolled. Together, we will celebrate Israeli culture and get our participants excited about experiencing Masa Israel their way – “My Masa” – so they can make the most of the transformative time in Israel to come.”