Masa Israeli, a national, educational organization, was established in 2005 by a
team of educational entrepreneurs, in response to the identity crisis they identified among Israeli and Jewish youth.
Need and Response - Today, like all Jewish communities around the world, Israel has a critical need to strengthen Jewish identity and a sense of belonging among young people. Globalization and prosperity on the one hand, and Israel's continued harsh political climate and polarized society on the other, often leave youth confused and disconnected. As they search for answers and a sense of belonging some become apathetic and may choose non-productive and even destructive paths. As research has shown that fewer Israeli youth understand the importance of the Jewish State and Jewish Peoplehood, Masa Israeli has developed innovative pedagogical tools to help both Israel and worldwide
formal education systems cope with issues of youths’ personal, communal, local, and national identity, to reduce radicalization, increase social resilience, and foster a sense of belonging.
Masa Israeli programs:
Masa Israeli for 11th-grade students is a transformative, 6-day journey that impacts and changes lives, and strengthens Jewish and Zionist identity and commitment to the land and people of Israel by immersing participants in a personal, emotional, physical and educational journey across Israel’s landscapes and historical sites. Continuous programming over the past 15 years, with 300,000 students in 370 high schools.
Masa Israeli for adults – veteran wounded IDF soldiers, 35,000 active IDF soldiers,
educators, Diaspora Jews, and Israeli corporate employees.
Israeli Hope Student’s Journey -A six-day innovative educational journey for Israeli students in their last year of high school (12th grade), engages participants with Israel’s multifaceted society. Overcoming the challenges of a segregated education system, the journey creates a cross-sector partnership and shared responsibility for Israel’s future. The program’s main goals: Participants meet and engage with the different communities that comprise Israeli
society, they develop a sense of "shared fate" with and responsibility for all of Israeli society. They are encouraged to become active citizens, inspired by a strong sense of belonging to wider Israeli society.