Years ago I went on Birthright and had one of the best experiences of my life. I felt so connected with Israel that I began volunteering for Birthright, promoting their message, and leading trips from Canada to Israel. I made every effort to fit my Birthright involvement between my University studies and later, my job. I spent every day anticipating my next trip back. The 10 days were never enough.
And then I heard about MASA (which is Ivrit for “journey”), which is a government of Israel and Jewish Agency project similar to Birthright… only for 5 months. I was 25 at the time and I felt like I needed a break, an escape, a journey, something different than my 9 to 5 entry level job. I was looking for a once in a lifetime experience, something I felt I had never had between school and work. MASA seemed like the right idea.
I heard about MASA through Oranim, which was my Birthright organizer and is the largest Birthright organizer in the world. Oranim had recently partnered with MASA to provide the only free 5-month trips to Israel and they were organizing their very first program, Community Involvement in Israel. After speaking with my friends and parents, and weighing my professional prospects in light of the looming recession, I decided the time for my experience was now. I applied for the free Community Involvement 5-month program.
2 weeks later I was in Israel volunteering in a community 20km outside of Tel Aviv. I was given the option to create my own volunteering initiative, and I chose to teach English to kids. My friend, who had come with me from Toronto, decided to teach English through soccer. He organized a league for the community children. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I lived in the community in a fully furnished house with Internet and American television, volunteered 4 times a week, and went into Tel Aviv on the weekends to lounge on the beach and go out at night. I also met a great girl, learned Hebrew at our Ulpan, and was taken on organized trips throughout Israel. I was convinced I found paradise.
My program is now over, but I’m still in Israel, actually working with MASA and Oranim and living in Tel Aviv. I help people apply for their own 5-month journeys.
I created this blog to talk about my own Israel experience and connect with others who share similar sentiments.
For the record, MASA and Oranim are still running trips. In fact, since my trip, they have added 2 more programs for people to choose from. I had an amazing time on Community Involvement, where I volunteered and helped with community works… but I’m a little jealous that I didn’t have the chance to choose one of the other 2 programs.
Today you can choose either 1) Community Involvement, 2) Eilat Hotel Experience (which involves interning at Isrotel for 5 months), or the 3) Tel Aviv Internship Experience (which involves interning in Tel Aviv at a top company in the field of your choice).
If you’re interested, you can visit this website for more information.
You can also contact me personally just to connect or if you have any questions.
Looking forward to it,
Ofir
In Israel
