The Jewish Agency for Israel has long been aware of the transformative effect of ‘Israel experiences,’ particularly on young Jews. With the help of generous donors, we have put this knowledge to use—harnessing the unlimited potential of Israel experiences as a vital key to securing the Jewish future.

Together with the Government of Israel and other visionary partners, the Jewish Agency provides an extraordinary array of long-term and short-term Israel experiences for tens of thousands of Jewish teens and young adults each year. Our developing continuum welcomes young Jews to Israel from North America, South and Central America, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union (FSU)—providing memorable, identity-building experiences and forging lifelong bonds between Diaspora youth and the Jewish State. In 2010, we took part in bringing approximately 38,000 young Jews to Israel from around the world, for study, internship, volunteer, work, travel and social opportunities. Tens of thousands continue to seek these experiences out—and the Jewish Agency is committed to making their dreams come true.

FROM TEN DAYS TO TWELVE MONTHS: TAGLIT-BIRTHRIGHT AND MASA ISRAEL

Taglit-Birthright Israel program, or ‘Birthright' offers groups of Jewish young adults ten-day, high-impact educational tours of Israel—fully subsidized by funders, with no cost to participants. Participants ages 18 to 26 experience intensive Israel immersion, as they interact with Israeli peers, encounter the land through professional guided tours, and join in a traditional celebration of Shabbat.

Masa Israel Journey connects young, Jewish adults from around the world with some 200 gap year, study abroad, post-college and volunteer programs in Israel, lasting from five to 12 months. Masa Israel Journey is a collaboration of the Jewish Agency and the Government of Israel, with the Israeli government matching every dollar raised for Masa Israel by the Jewish Agency, subsidizing these immersive experiences with scholarships. Established in 2003, Masa has brought over 55,000 young Jews to Israel from communities throughout North America and the world – including  some 10,000 in 2010-11 alone.

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: LAPID AND MACHON

LAPID, or Hebrew for 'torch', was founded in 2008 as a cooperative initiative to raise awareness of and to significantly increase participation in quality high school-age programs in Israel. The coalition was built on the concept that a strong relationship with Israel begins with a meaningful Israel educational experience and is vital to developing and fostering collective Jewish identity in youth. As one of the three primary organizations bringing youth to Israel from abroad, Lapid seeks equal recognition and financial and institutional support on par with comparable programs for participants of university age.

The Young Leadership Training Institute or Machon was founded in 1946 as an initiative of the World Zionist Organization to operate training programs for the graduates of Zionist Youth Movements from abroad that provide critical advocacy and educational tools to respond to the major challenges facing Zionism – namely, encouraging immigration to Israel and settling the Land.  To date, more than 12,000 graduates have passed through the gates of MACHON, including young women and men from South America, Mexico and the US, Europe, South Africa and Australia. Machon alumni have gone on to lead their respective Jewish communities and have continued to work in the sphere of Jewish Zionist education.

FOR YOUNG ADULTS IN ISRAEL: CONNECTLV AND ABSORPTION PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

ConnecTLV is an innovative social venture that strives to connect young people to the State of Israel and help them through the process of aliyah and absorption through a mix of online and offline networks. ConnecTLV was founded in 2010 and has already worked with thousands of young Jews from around the world, in Israel, through social and cultural event programming that is designed to engage young, hip, new immigrants seeking to expand their support networks through friendships, social groups and ultimately, aliyah resources.

The Jewish Agency operates a range of customized absorption programs for young adults that blend integration into Israeli society with supportive services. Training workshops, vocational seminars, and academic and non-academic frameworks offer young new immigrants from varying countries of origin a unique entry into Israeli society – one that is replete with supportive resources at every turn.