Masa Chai

Masa Chai strengthens society in Israel by creating communities centered on Jewish values and ideals that welcome diversity and celebrate our responsibility towards and commitment to those around us. How does it work? Groups of people, living in the same geographical area but from sometimes widely divergent backgrounds, meet weekly to study Jewish texts under the guidance of a facilitator; they then work together to create a project that addresses a social need in their community. Background Outside of Israel, Jews live as a minority within the larger culture. Identity and belonging therefore are often centered around local Jewish communal institutions such as the JCC or the synagogue, resulting in a strong sense of neighborhood-based community. In Israel, particularly among the secular population, this neighborhood-based sense of community has not developed, leading to a sense of isolation, detachment, and disconnect from both the local community and society as a whole.