Masa Programs: A Year “On” in Israel

As colleges contemplate online classes and keeping their campuses closed in the 2020-21 school year, college-bound students are weighing their options. Some hesitate to give up their college experiences. Some are thinking of other ways to build up meaningful life experiences. This is where Masa comes into play.

The Masa program—which means “journey” in Hebrew—includes a gap year track in Israel that offers college-bound high school graduates the opportunity to acquire a global perspective. They gain a taste of independent living while having an incredible Israel experience.

Even during non-pandemic times, many North American universities recommend that students defer their formal education for a semester or a year before deciding what they want to study. In the Masa program in Israel, students can attain an informal education and discover their passions while volunteering, studying or interning. They can explore their interests or deepen their knowledge in a particular field. A gap year in Israel isn’t a year off, it’s a year on!

Masa, funded in part through your contributions to the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign, is a program of the Jewish Agency for Israel, our overseas partner in Israel. Masa Israel Journey’s portfolio of 2-12 month programs in Israel for young people aged 18-30 includes programs for volunteer and community service, internship and career development, undergraduate and graduate academics at Israeli universities, Jewish studies, and gap years.

Visit masaisrael.org for more information.