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Choose Your Experience
An Israel Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Israel and your connection to the Jewish people in an organized educational framework. It will inspire you, challenge you, and provide you with new skills and experiences that will enrich your life.
Israel tours and programs for teens differ in their philosophy, focus, and religious content. Before choosing a program, ask yourself these questions. Hundreds of programs are available - check them out at www.israelexperience.com. The following is a list of several short-term Israel Experiences that have been popular with previous LHIEF grant recipients:
Nesiya (http://www.nesiya.org)
The word nesiya means "journey" in Hebrew. Nesiya's creative journeys explore Judaism and Israel through a combination of travel, outdoor adventure, workshops in the performing and visual arts, community service projects, and creative study. No special background or skills are needed to have a great time on Nesiya. Meet and work with fascinating Israeli personalities including expert nature guides, visual artists, writers, musicians, actors, scholars, and community activists.
Nesiya invites you to experience Israel in an environment that reflects the diversity and vitality of the Jewish people today. Israeli and North Americans from secular, Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative and Orthodox backgrounds come together and share responsibility for building a dynamic and caring community. Ask questions, exchange opinions and build friendships with Israeli peers and participants from across North America.
Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet (http://www.israelscouts.org/scouts_cvk_index.html)
Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet is a joint summer teen program of the Gadna, the Educational Division of the Israel Defense Forces, and the Tzofim (Israel Scouts) with cooperation of the Ministry of Absorption and the Jewish Agency. Participants explore Jewish heritage and strengthen their connection to Israel by seeing Israel through the eyes of Israeli youth. They get to know Israel on foot, falling in love with the beauty of Israel, exploring unique neighborhoods and magical landscapes, seeing the state from north to south, east to west.
Through Gadna, participants experience an Army training, including navigating, visiting battlefields, and exploring military history up-close. Other activities include 2 nights of building and sleeping in your own tents and sports activities such as rafting and bicycling. Participants also have a chance to experience life on kibbutzim and moshavim, exposing them to a broad range of Israeli society and culture. The Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet program provides teens with a unique opportunity to strengthen their Jewish identity and connect with the Israeli environment. The participants have the opportunity to choose either an English or Hebrew speaking track. Every group combines youth from abroad and Israeli youth. A warm connection is created which allows the participants to meet new friends, learn and improve their Hebrew and get to know Israeli culture and society first-hand.
National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) (http://www.ncsysummer.com)
You will travel from the Golan Heights to the shores of Eilat and everywhere
in between. Swim in the Kineret, visit archeological digs, experience a magical
Shabbat in Tzfat, visit the Kotel (the western wall) and float in the Dead Sea.
All the while learning about your Jewish heritage and seeing history come alive
through the incredible staff.
JCC/Maccabi (http://www.jccmaccabix.org)
The JCC Maccabi Xperience provides opportunities for North American Jewish youth to share exciting and meaningful learning adventures that will challenge you to travel beyond your daily Jewish experience and gain greater insight into the colorful tapestry of your Jewish history, heritage and people.
Young Judaea (http://www.youngjudaea.org)
Young Judaea is the oldest Zionist youth movement in America. Young Judaea's programs provide a fantastic Israel experience within a religiously pluralistic and political nonpartisan environment. Sponsored by Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Young Judaea offers a full-range of year-round local, regional and national activities as well as summer camping opportunities. This summer in Israel is only the beginning! A variety of program options are available including your choice of a special interest week and/or stops in Europe - Italy, Spain & Prague!
Scitech – Technion (http://www.scitech.technion.ac.il)
SciTech is a well-established an international science and technology research
camp organized by the Center for Pre-University Education and hosted each summer
at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, one of the world's leading
technology universities.
This program is intended for eleventh and twelfth grade
high school students from around the world who have demonstrated an exceptional
interest and ability in science and technology. This program brings together
outstanding students from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Israel and elsewhere.
National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) (http://www.nfty.org)
For 45 years, thousands of families have chosen NFTY for more than a promise of a thrilling summer. NFTY programs have transformed more than 27,000 young people by turning a spark of interest into a summer of exciting challenges, wonderful new friends, and a lifelong involvement with Judaism. More than 350 synagogues, 20 youth regions, numerous Jewish camps, Jewish Federations and communities annually turn to NFTY to provide the ultimate teen travel experience.
Alexander Muss High School in Israel (http://www.amiie.org)
In 8 weeks in Israel with AMHSI, you will personally live 4000 years of history, not just hear about it. You will experience the most ancient of modern lands, not just tour it. You will pursue your regular coursework in a whole new way, not just keep up with it. You will be challenged to discover what you're made of and who you really are, not just broaden your horizons. You will make friendships across continents that will last a lifetime, not just meet interesting new people. You will have the time of your life, not just an enriching experience. In eight weeks in Israel - a place where the past, present and future come together like magic and where world history is shaped every day - you will learn it, live it and love it!
United Synagogue Youth (USY) Pilgrimage (http://www.usy.org)
Spend your summer with USY for a complete introduction to the land of Israel. You'll be exposed to the history and contemporary realities of Judaism and Israel. Climb the fortress of Masada, explore the stalactite caves of Netifim, swim in the waters of the Kinneret, pray at the Kotel, and drink tea in a Bedouin tent on the sands of the Negev desert. You'll experience these sights and sounds with new friends who share your love of the Jewish homeland.
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization http://www.bbyo.org)
The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) is a trans-denominational youth led organization open to all Jewish teens. BBYO provides opportunities for Jewish youth to develop their leadership potential, a positive Jewish identity and commitment to their personal development.
When you travel with BBYO on an Oranim Educational Initiatives trip to Israel you won't miss a thing. Participants will see the classic sites - such as Massada, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - as well as experience unique "off-the-beaten-track" sites that only Israelis know about!
The expert tour educators, who will lead the group have been carefully selected and trained to work with teens. We take the utmost care in choosing travel sites and locations, as well as specific activities chosen.
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