Approved Israel Programs

The following is a selection of available and VISIT approved Israel experiences and some great resources for finding the right program for you. Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive guide – there are a multitude of programs out there!

Summer Programs

Discover Israel during the summer months. There are over one hundred trips to choose from that range in length from 4-8 weeks. Are you interested in the arts, sports, volunteering? There’s a trip that’s just right for you. Explore the endless possibilities for spending an unforgettable summer in Israel.

Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education
The Alexander Muss High School in Israel is a summer program, approximately seven weeks long, geared to academically oriented students looking for a more intensive experience. For more information, visit www.amiie.com.

InnovationIsrael
A four-week summer experience in Israel for creative academically oriented high school students. Teens engage in imagination-driven courses of their choice at Tel Aviv University in the Arts and Sciences (all taught in English), and travel throughout Israel for interactive visits at many of the most innovative facilities in the world, including environmental, hi-tech, bio-tech, medical, university labs, art and film studios. They will participate in nature trips, archeological digs, visit diverse communities, enjoy cultural and beach outings and have extraordinary opportunities to experience Israeli creativity and friendship. For more information or to request an info-session, please visit www.innovationisrael.org.

Young@Science, the International Summer Science Institute
A month-long program at The Weizmann Institute where you will study and explore problems in all of the sciences, including laboratory and field work in addition to touring of Israel. For more information contact the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science at 212-895-7906 or visit www.weizmann.ac.il.

Legacy Heritage Internships for Young Scientists
A program for high school juniors and seniors who are high achievers and who are interested in career discovery through hands-on scientific research, immersion into Israeli culture, and who are looking for a greater connection to their Jewish heritage and the Jewish world. For more information, please visit www.legacyheritage.org/IsraelEngagement.

SciTech
Housed at the Technion in Haifa, SciTech is an international science and technology live-in research camp. For more information, contact 516-466-9500 or visit www.technion.ac.il/~scitech/.

Nesiya (Kehillah Experience)
A program combining outdoor adventure, workshops in the visual, performing and literary arts, community service projects, cultural activities and creative Jewish study in Israel with Israelis. For more information, visit www.nesiya.org or call 212-951-7128.

Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) - Israel Trail Teen Adventure
A month-long program with small single-sex groups. It focuses on outdoor skills and leadership while backpacking through Israel. For more information, visit www.derechhateva.org or call 212-537-6280.

Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet (Friends of the Israeli Scouts)
A joint summer teen program with the Tzofim (Israel Scouts) and Gadna, the Educational Division of the Israel Defense Forces, in cooperation with the Ministry of Absorption and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Teens choose English or Hebrew-speaking tracks and participate in an army training component. For information, visit www.chetz-vkeshet.org.il or call 1-877-IL-SCOUT (457-2688).

Bronfman Youth Fellowship in Israel
Every year, 26 outstanding North American teenagers are selected for The Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel. The Fellows come from all over the United States and Canada, from the widest possible range of Jewish backgrounds, and are selected based on merit, and not financial need. In their five weeks together, the Fellows encounter the land and people of Israel, study Judaism and major issues in contemporary Jewish life, and learn about themselves and each other. The summer is the beginning of a long-term association for the Fellows, which continues through their extraordinarily active alumni network. High School Juniors from the United States and Canada who will be 16 by the time the fellowship begins (June 1) are eligible for the Fellowship. Fellowships cover round-trip transportation between New York and Israel, educational programming, and room, board and travel while in Israel. Room and board at orientation and the fall Follow-Up Seminar in New York City are also included. For more information, visit www.bronfman.org.

Havaya International
Havaya International is a 4-week long life-changing opportunity to travel like a local in both Israel and across the United States, while making a positive difference in their global village. Made up of 15 American teens and 15 Israeli teens going into 10th-12th grade, Havayaniks will spend two weeks traveling throughout Israel with local Israelis from the 92nd Street Y's sister city in Ramat Hasharon and two weeks in the U.S. getting the opportunity to share their lives with their Israeli counterparts. For more information, visit www.92y.org/Havaya.

NFTY (Reform)

The NFTY Adventure Program is a unique and challenging four-and-a-half week summer experience created especially for teens who seek a meaningful and exciting journey to Israel filled with amazing memories and friendships which will last a lifetime. NFTY L'Dor V'Dor Exodus program includes one week in Prague and Poland and four weeks in Israel. With the Czech Republic and Poland as an introduction, teens arrive in Israel with an intimate understanding of the importance of Eretz Yisrael - the Land of Israel in our time, ready to enjoy four wonderful weeks discovering their personal connection to our people and our history. For more information, visit www.nftyisrael.org or call 212-452-6517.

USY (Conservative)
USY offers many different experiences throughout Israel and Europe for teens and parents. Students are exposed to the history and contemporary realities of Judaism and Israel. They will 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. For more information, visit www.usy.org/programs/escape or call 212-533-7800, ext. 2314, or the New England Region United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism office at 617-964-8210.

Noar Hadash (Reconstructionist)
After building community together at Camp JRF, participants will travel to Israel for a month-long interactive experience of the land and the people. Based on a civilizational approach, teens move through history as they find ways in which Jews have lived their lives in Israel throughout the generations. They spend time in all parts of the country climbing, swimming, singing, hiking, learning and exploring their way through the land. Participants experience Shabbat in Jerusalem, see the sunrise over Masada, participate in tikkun olam projects with their Israeli peers, marvel at the natural wonders of the land, discuss the realities of life in contemporary Israel and connect with Reconstructionist rabbis living and working in Israel. They bring their learning back to the Reconstructionist youth community in the United States - spending Shabbat at CampJRF to share their experiences, their stories and their excitement. For more information please visit http://noarhadash.org/Israel/index.htm or call 215-782-8500, ext. 13.

Orthodox Youth Movement Programs

NCSY
NCSY, the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, offers a wide variety of summer programs in Israel. For information, visit www.ncsysummer.com.

Mach Hach
Bnei Akiva is a Zionist, modern Orthodox international youth movement. For more information please visit www.bneiakiva.org/programs/machhach.

Achva
Part of the National Council of Young Israel movement, Achva includes a number of summer program options. For information, visit www.youngisrael.org/achva.

BBYO - Passport2Israel
This program features a variety of add-on extensions within Israel and in Europe. For information, visit www.passport2israel.org or call 1-800-698-1002.

Habonim Dror - MBI
This unique teen tour is for post 10th graders interested in the Labor Zionist Youth Movement. While MBI is open to those who have not been involved in Habonim Dror before, participants are expected to be involved in the movement after the summer is over. For more information, visit www.habonimdror.org/programs/mb.html or call 212-255-1796.

Hashomer Hatzair - Yedid
Hashomer Hatzair is a youth movement based on the principles of Progressive Zionism, social justice, progressive Judaism and self-actualization, and committed to peace and equality. For information, visit www.hashomerhatzair.org/israelprograms.asp or call 212-627-2830.

Young Judaea
For over 50 years, Young Judaea has been offering summer programs in Israel for teens in grades 9-12. Giving teens the opportunity to experience Israel with their peers and explore their Jewish identity is their specialty. Start your journey in Spain, Italy or Morocco, or fly straight to Israel. Sign up for Israel MD, a medical track, or learn Hebrew in the Ulpan program. Volunteer through the Tikkun Olam program for various causes including conserving the environment, marking trails for nature education, assisting children with disabilities, volunteering among recent immigrants, and more. Earn college credits and community service hours on all of our programs. For more information, visit www.youngjudaea.org or call 1-800-725-0612.

High School Academic Programs

Continue your academic studies as you experience your "classroom without walls," the land of Israel. Over five thousand years of history will come alive as you travel throughout the country with this hands-on approach to learning. Half and full semester options are available.

Explore Israel for either 8 or 16 weeks during the school year. In addition to completing regular course work, these fully accredited high school programs will immerse each student in the culture and history of Israel. The entire country becomes your classroom.

Alexander Muss High Institute for Israel Education
The Alexander Muss High School in Israel (High School) is similar to the summer program from Muss, but the time frame is a bit longer. In addition, if you participate in Muss during the academic school year, you are also able to maintain your school work from your home school. For information on the Alexander Muss High School in Israel programs, visit www.amhsi.com.

EIE (High School)
The Eisendrath International Exchange High School in Israel is a four-month accredited high school nestled in the Judean Mountains. Students live together, learn together and grow together as a community exploring 4,000 years of Jewish history, learning Hebrew and getting to know Israel as their second home. EIE also offers a 45-day summer program for students who are not able to spend a full school semester in Israel. For more information, please visit www.nftyisrael.org/eie/ or call 212-452-6517.

Naale Elite Academy
Naale Elite Academy offers students who have finished ninth grade the opportunity to go to high school in Israel. For more information, visit www.elite-academy.org/en.

Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim (TRY)
TRY is a secondary school program in Israel that offers students an academic curriculum of high-level general studies combined with intensive Hebrew instruction and Israel studies. For more information, visit http://try.ramah.org.il/ or contact 212-678-8883, fax: 212-749-8251, e-mail: ramahisrael@jtsa.edu.
USY High - is a shorter program similar to TRY. For more information, visit www.usy.org/programs/high.

Post High School Programs

Consider spending a year in Israel while earning college credit. Take a semester or year in Israel and take back more than just memories. Nothing else can put a lifetime of Jewish education into context as well as a long-term Israel program in which participants can unpack their bags, study, volunteer and experience the country in an authentic, genuine way.

Visit www.masaisrael.org for information on the myriad of opportunities available to post high school students. Project Masa is a joint initiative of The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel. Masa provides need-based scholarship funds for long-term programs in Israel. Visit their website for additional information.

An Israel Experience is a journey that lasts a lifetime! The Israel Experience Center is a resource for Jewish teens, families, educators and the entire Jewish community.

Gap Year Programs

SIACH (Gap Year)
The Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education has developed a new gap year program that combines the value of using Israel as a classroom with pluralist Jewish learning. For information on SIACH, the AMIIE gap year program, visit www.siach.org.

Carmel (Gap Year)
Carmel is a college-level study program in Israel for progressive Jewish youth from around the world. Carmel offers an intense program of formal and informal learning opportunities, and graduates of the program are uniquely prepared to serve as leaders in the Progressive Jewish Community and to continue their college studies successfully. Participants complete academic coursework and intensive Hebrew instruction at the University of Haifa, and study in a Beit Midrash at the Progressive Movement's Lokey International Academy of Jewish Studies at the Leo Baeck Education Center. Participants live as a Progressive Jewish Community within Israeli society, travel the country and volunteer in tikkun olam projects. For more information, please visit www.carmelisrael.org/index.cfm or call 212-452-6572.

Nativ
Designed to create Conservative Jewish leaders of the future, the first semester of the program is spent studying at Hebrew University or the Conservative Yeshiva and the second semester is spent living on a kibbutz or performing community service in a developing community. For more information visit www.nativ.org or call 212-533-7800, ext. 2314, or the New England Region United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism office at 617-964-8210.

Habonim Dror - Workshop
Habonim Dror North America (HDNA) is the progressive Labor Zionist youth movement. Workshop is a 10-month Kibbutz and Irbutz (urban kibbutz)-based work/study program for high school graduates. Workshop is the oldest running Israel program for North American youth. For more information, visit www.habonimdror.org/programs/workshop.html or call 212-255-1796.

Young Judaea Year Course
Young Judaea's Year Course in Israel is a 9-month program for recent high school graduates who spend an unforgettable year living, volunteering and studying in Israel. Specialty tracks include: design, performing arts,visual arts, culinary arts, athletics and medicine. Through Year Course Olami, travel the world at different points throughout your year in Israel to such countries as: Uganda, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, India, South Africa and more! Check out Year Course at http://www.yearcourse.org.

Hashomer Hatzair - Shana Tova
Hasomer Hatzair is a youth movement, based on the principles of Progressive Zionism, social justice, Progressive Judaism and self actualization, and committed to peace and equality. Shana Tova is a 10-month program for students just graduating high school. For information, visit www.hashomerhatxair.org/israelprograms.asp or call 212-627-2830.

Kivunim
Kivunim is a new program for students in their first year out of high school. The program is based in Israel but the itinerary includes travel throughout the world. For more information, visit www.kivunim.org.

Interested in archeology? Participate in a 5 week dig! Visit this great website for more information
http://www.archaeological.org/webinfo.php?page=10016 Select “Near and Middle East” region and Israel as your country for over a dozen great dig opportunities!
Israel Trivia: Tel means Archeological Dig in Hebrew!

BBYO Beyond

Beyond is an Israel-based program for graduating high school seniors. Participants can choose between a 5-month and a 9-month session. The first session of Beyond is based at Tel Aviv University; and participants live in campus dorms, study Hebrew and can earn up to 10 academic credits. The second session of Beyond offers participants a choice of two-month elective experiences - training with Magen David Adom, volunteering on Kibbutz Kramim in the Negev, or participating in Marva, an IDF basic training-like program. Together, these electives are designed to open a window onto a unique aspect of Israeli society and give participants a chance to leave their own personal mark. This session also includes a two-month community-based service program in Jerusalem or in Gondar, Ethiopia - through a partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel. For more information, visit http://beyondyear.org/admissions/dates_costs/.