Israel Experience Links

What is an Israel Experience program? Israel Experiences are identity-building, peer group programs run by non-profit organizations that allow participants to learn in-depth about the land, culture and people of Israel. The list of approved Israel Experience programs is constantly changing as new programs are developed. For your convenience we have included links to various suggested organizations, below, to help you find the best possible Israel Experience for you. Since there are many other programs not every one is approved, please contact us (israelexperience@juf.org) if you have a question about a specific Israel Experience program.

Looking for high school trips or Gap Year programs? Visit JUF Teens.

Short-term Programs for College Students and Young Adults

• Birthright Israel
  Free 10-day trips to Israel to college students and young adults who have not previously traveled to Israel on a peer trip. **Keep in mind that Jewish Federation Israel Experience Funds may not be used for Birthright Israel**
• Hagshama Dept. of the World Zionist Organization
  Hagshama offers information on various short- and long-term programs in Israel.
• Livnot U'Lehibanot
  Livnot programs combine community service with hiking, touring and learning, allowing participants to explore their Jewish roots. Programs range from one week to five months.
• Volunteers4Israel
  The mission of Volunteers for Israel (VFI) is to connect Americans to Israel through volunteer service.
• Jewish United Fund Missions
  Travel to Israel with other Young Leaders on the YLD National Leadership Mission! Participants have the opportunity to tour, learn and discover Israel with other young professionals from Chicago and across the country.
• Habonim Dror
  Habonim Dror is the Labor Zionist youth movement, with links to its Israel programs.
• Shorashim
  Shorashim's programs connect Americans directly with Israelis.
• Amirim
  A summer program for students who want to spend their summer during college volunteering in Israel. Amirim participants have the option to spend as little as 4 to as many as 8 weeks in either Jerusalem or Bat Yam volunteering and living in YJ apartments.
• WUJS
  An internship program for college grads WUJS Israel Hadassah provides the ultimate Israel Experience for young Jewish adults from around the world. Newly based in the simultaneously ancient, historic and modern cities of Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, WUJS Israel Hadassah provides you with the opportunity to either intern in one of Israel's leading companies or organizations, study the foundations of Judaism and Zionism or develop your artistic talent all within a dynamic, safe environment
• Friends of Israel Scouts - Tzofim
  Information about Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet and Tzofim Keshet, programs of the Friends of Israel Scouts-Tzofim.
• Kefiada
  Each year, JUF's Partnership 2000 sends up to 10 counselors to KEFIADA, our English-speaking summer camps in our Partnership 2000 region.
• Summer Program in Medical Ethics and Halacha
  This summer program in Jewish medical ethics is for students with a background in Jewish learning and is open to any student interested in the field of medicine including pre-med, med and dental students, residents, doctors, psychologists, and graduate students in the field of ethics. The program includes lectures, independent learning, hospital rounds, accommodations and tours of Israel. The program's goals are to provide in-depth lectures and discourse on medical-Halachic topics and to bridge the complex worlds of medicine, ethics, and Halacha for the physicians of tomorrow.
• Career Israel Short Track
  The Career Israel Short Track is a 2-4 month professional internship program open to college/university students and graduates from all over the world.
• Kibbutz Ulpan (Summer)
  This Kibbutz Ulpan provides the unique experience of working with Israelis on a kibbutz while at the same time offering classes in the language itself. Participants work on the kibbutz for half of the week and study in Ulpan for the other half, thus having the chance to utilize the Hebrew they are learning in an authentic Israeli setting.
• Magen David Adom
  The Magen David Adom volunteer program is an amazing opportunity for you to serve Israel, where it is most needed. Volunteers are trained for one intensive week of study in Jerusalem and work on ambulances in all of Israel's major cities for 4-5 weeks.
• Marva
  The Marva Course was created in 1981 with the objective of giving young Jewish adults in the Diaspora ages 18-28 the opportunity to experience life in Israel through an army experience.
• Pardes
  The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, a nondenominational coed institute of Jewish studies in Jerusalem, offers one week sessions in January and one month sessions over the summer.
• WWOOF 
  An organic farming organization that connects volunteers with different farms in Israel, including kibbutzim, moshavim, and smaller family farms.  They provide an opportunity to work the land and learn about the movement for sustainable agriculture in Israel.
• Jewish Helping Hands 
  A US-based volunteer/funding organization which works with non-profits in several countries, primarily Israel. 
• Israel Way-Oranim Project 
  Offering short- and long-term programs in Israel.

Programs from 5 months to 1 year

• Masa Israel Journey
  Masa Israel Journey, Your Gateway to Long-term Israel Programs, enables thousands of Jewish young adults to spend a semester to a year in Israel in over 150 approved programs by providing information, contacts, grants and more. To request information about specific MASA programs, complete the Israel Program Request Form.

GAP Year Programs

• Masa Israel Journey
  More and more colleges and universities are encouraging teens to take a year between high school and college. Known as the Gap Year, this special year enables high school graduates to volunteer, learn, travel, and expand their horizons. Masa Israel Journey provides a directory of Gap Year programs in Israel, plus information about a universal $1,000 grant and additional financial need funding.