The research is clear
In a world of broadband, blogs and instant messaging, securing the bond that has transcended generations and carried our people forward will take more effort on our part than ever before. Unparalleled choices, freedom, and mobility threaten to erode timeless connections and have clearly redefined community.
A first-person experience of Israel is a proven gateway into Jewish life for many of today’s young unaffiliated Jews—and for others, a vehicle for deepening Jewish connection. The research tracking the impact of the 10-day birthright israel trip speaks volumes:
- Importance of dating only Jews climbed to 35% for participants relative to only 21% of age cohort non-participants
- Importance of raising children as Jews climbed to 60% for participants relative to 46% of age cohort non-participants
birthright israel has clearly demonstrated that a short-term Israel experience makes a difference. MASA will take it to the next level.
What is MASA?
Building on the success of birthright israel and other short-term experiences, MASA capitalizes on the powerful force of a deeper experience of Israel to build leadership-level connections—and enduring commitment.
MASA is not a program. It is a simple idea designed to dramatically increase participation in a wide variety of long-term programs in Israel by:
- Building the right programs
- Aggressively marketing the idea of long-term programs
- Helping young people find the program that’s right for them
- Making it affordable and easy to fit into a participant’s life
- Connecting the graduates back into Jewish life
By making these programs accessible to a much broader number of young adults through MASA, we can bring 20,000 young Jews per year to Israel on long term programs. Making a semester to a year in Israel the norm for every Jewish leader and community activist. An ambitious goal? Absolutely—but one that is achievable.
This innovative initiative of unprecedented scale, spearheaded by the Jewish Agency together with the Government of Israel, partners you with the people of Israel and worldwide Jewish communities to promote these transformative journeys. Every federation, community, and funder will be invited to become a MASA partner.
MASA’s vision is extraordinary: to triple the number of young Jews, ages 18—30, from communities around the world who come to Israel for semester-to-yearlong programs.
To visit the MASA website, click here.