Israel Service Fellows provides exceptional American Jewish college graduates with the opportunity to do meaningful service in Israel for 10 months. As an Israel Service Fellow, you will be given a one-of-a-kind opportunity to focus on informal education in Israeli society, community development, and empowerment of youth and other populations.
Participant Requirements:
- North American Jews between the ages of 21 and 29 at program start date
- College graduates
- Committed to social justice
- Interested in engaging in challenging work in marginalized communities
- Interested in connecting with Israeli peers
- Be motivated to learn, be challenged, think deeply, engage, and create change.
PROGRAM COST:
- $1,000 after receiving a MASA grant
- $5,500 without a MASA grant
This INCLUDES YOUR FLIGHT and a monthly STIPEND of 1300 NIS
This elite program is only accepting 15 participants for this 2012′s program so register and reserve your spot today!
Following an initial ‘Fellows’ training period, you will live in small groups and work in your primary project placement for 25-30 hours per week. Training includes courses in Hebrew language, informal education, working with youth at risk and conflict resolution.
ISF is intentionally designed so that North American participants will not live in an insular “North American bubble.” As a fellow, you will be matched with a group of Israeli peers and both groups will undergo joint programming and carry out service work together. All of this will set the stage for a meaningful and deep cultural exchange.
Ongoing professional support, ulpan (Hebrew lessons), host families, trips, and other enrichment activities are provided throughout your time in Israel.
- Beer Sheva is the capital city of Israel's southern Negev desert. With more than 200,000 residents, Beer Sheva has a cosmopolitan energy while maintaining a relaxed, desert feel. Significantly, Beer Sheva is home to Ben Gurion University and it's known to have the best student and campus life in all of Israel. Fellows who live in Beer Sheva will volunteer in an incredibly diverse community and will enjoy the endless outdoor opportunities and vistas of the Negev desert.
- In recent years, Beer Sheva has become a cultural foundation for residents of the Negev. The vibrant student community based around the university together with the active night life the city has developed adds their mark to the constantly growing culture and recreational activities the city has to offer. Additionally the educational system contributes its share by developing and promoting culture, dance and musical and theater productions for the citie's youth. This also includes: a network of libraries, Municipal Community Centers, the Art Youth Center, municipal dance bands, choirs for the young and old, science center, and acting schools. Cultural attractions in the city include: the Municipal Conservatory, Beit Yad Labanim, the Municipal Zoological Garden, Israel Air Force Museum, Tel Beer Sheva Archeological Park, Beer Sheva Theater, the Light Opera Group of the Negev, Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva, The Negev’s Artists House, Beer Sheva Theater, the Bedouin Marketplace and the Negev Brigade Memorial and more.
- There are 38 Elementary Schools in Beer Sheva; 10 State Religious and 28 State schools and 13 High Schools. In addition to the Ben Gurion University of the Negev other higher education institutions include: the Sammy Shamoon Academic College of Engineering, Practical Engineering College of the Negev, Kaye Academic College of Education and the Open University.