(in between high school and college)

When participating in an educational program in Israel
with a duration of five months or longer,
you may be eligible for a significant MASA scholarship

Alexander Muss Institute SIACH

With over 18,000 alumni it is clear that the Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education (AMIIE) offers amazing and meaningful Israel experiences. Those who participate in our programs develop a deep and long-lasting connection to Jewish life, the Jewish people, and Israel while having the time of their lives.

We are now excited to announce a new one-year Israel program designed for recent high school graduates. SIACH—Hebrew for ”dialogue”—provides an opportunity for students to explore the richness of classical and contemporary Jewish sources and the many dimensions of Israel and discover—through discussion and dialogue—the relevance of both to their lives.

SIACH combines an engaging, fully accredited Jewish and Israel studies curriculum, Jewish communal living in an open and non-denominational framework, frequent trips throughout the country, along with volunteer opportunities and cultural activities, which together will make the program an unforgettable year in the lives of our participants. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Beit Morasha

Come experience a year in Israel that offers a unique opportunity to integrate Torah and academic studies on a beautiful campus adjacent to Jerusalem's Sherover Promenade (The Tayelet).

Traditional Torah studies are integrated with academic courses in a dynamic educational environment.  This new coeducational program will have a separate Beit Midrash for Men and a Beit Midrash for Women with joint lectures  and workshops, educational tours, Shabbatonim, and encounters with IDF officers and Israeli peers.  Core components include mentors and chavrutot from BMJ's Israeli MA program, intensive Hebrew language study and academic courses in Israel Studies, Sociology of Israel, History of Zionism, Jewish Philosophy and Jewish psychology. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Betar Year in Israel and Volunteer program

The Betar Year is a unique program that consists of special Leadership, Zionist and Jewish Identity Training Courses, held at the very heart of Israeli society. The main part of the program consists of a preparatory military course run in conjunction with the I.D.F.  The World Betar movement is a very strongly Zionistic group.

The Volunteer in Israel program establishes and reinforces the personal contact of the up-coming Jewish generation with the ideology and life in settlements in Judea and Samaria   Meanwhile, breaking the myth and living the pioneering reality of life in Judea and Samaria, via the actual day to day living amongst the settlers. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

B'nei Akiva Lehava Hesder

Bnei Akiva is proud to present Lehava Hesder, a program is designed to present Israel in all its diversity and beauty. 

The group will travel all over the country and experience many different ways of living in Israel.  From learning Torah with inspirational teachers, to living as an Israeli and working in the city; from volunteering on the ambulances of Magen David Adom or completing the Marva basic training course in the Israeli Army, to living and working on Kibbutz.  It is an unforgettable year...
 

The the most fantastic aspect incorporates various lifestyles that can be experienced in Israel.  Torah, Kibbutz, city, army; it's all there.  The program has a great mix of supervised and structured periods and independent living in Israel.  At all stages of the program, including the volunteer work, there will always be Torah shiurim, therefore creating a true lifestyle of Torah Va'avodah. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Carmel: An Israel Study Program and Progressive Beit Midrash

The Carmel program combines both study and action. Carmel offers its students an opportunity for self-empowerment, communal experience, academic studies and social action, combined with a chance to grapple with the questions of progressive Jewish-Zionist identity. 

Carmel: A Progressive Beit Midrash and Israel Study Program is a year-long Reform Jewish learning and living experience in Israel, combining academic and informal learning opportunities. Targeted towards students graduating from high school, Carmel is designed to suit the needs of liberal Jewish young adults who are looking to develop their Jewish identity and strengthen their connection to Israel.

Carmel participants will study at the Lokey International Academy of Jewish Studies at the Leo Baeck Education Center and University of Haifa. They will form a living Jewish community in Israel who learns together, celebrates the Jewish year cycle together, participates in Tikkun Olam projects with the community, and takes extensive field trips all over Israel. Participants will return home with a year of academic study and credit, as well as the experience of a lifetime. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Habonim Dror - Workshop HDNA

For over 55 years HDNA has been running Workshop, 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.  The Workshop program is divided between the traditional Zionist notions of pioneering the land in the agricultural kibbutz, to pioneering social change in Israel in the urban collective. The first part of the Workshop year is spent on Kibbutz studying Hebrew and working. During this time the participants become a cohesive kvutsah (group) and experience Kibbutz life first hand. The second half of the program is divided into Chavot Hachshara and Kaveret, along with several seminars and tiyulim. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Hineni Shnat Hachshara

The Hineni program provides a diverse selection of Zionist and Jewish experiences.  Shnat participants will be immersed in different ways of Israeli life, enabling them to gain leadership skills and deepen their own identities and connection to the movement.  The Hineni program offers a bit of everything!

Machon Lemadrichei Chootz La'aretz (4 months) - an institute for leaders of all Zionist youth movements, focusing on studies of Judaism, Hebrew, Zionism and Hadracha (leadership) includes extensive tiyulim, seminars and volunteering.

Jewish Learning Period (1 month) - discovering and deepening the relationship of the individual and of Hineni to Modern Orthodoxy, on both practical and theoretical levels.

Volunteering Periods (2 weeks) - past groups have worked with Livnot U'Lehibanot and Sar-El.

Kibbutz Period (6 weeks) - the group is fully interacted into the Kibbutz's religious and socialist community.  Participants will work in various industries including, but not exclusively, agriculture

Option Period (2 months) - participants can select from a range of choices, including Marva Army program, MDA, Fire Fighters, Midrasha/Yeshiva and more! For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Kivunim: New Directions

Kivunim: New Directions is a pre-college program for Jewish high school graduates who have a serious interest in exploring the history and culture of the Jewish people as lived throughout the world. 

Kivunim is Israel-centered but not Israel-exclusive,  Kivunim: New Directions will provide you with a unique opportunity for international travel and study with a focus on understanding the history and contemporary life of Jewish communities in other parts of the world while building appreciation and understanding of the multi-cultural world in which we live. Therefore Kivunim: New Directions while based and rooted in Israel, is built around field trips  to Jewish communities of countires such as: Lithuania, Russia, Italy, Morocco, Spain, India, The Czech Republic and Hungary. 

We believe that the Jewish people of the 21st century will need to become more strongly inter-related to peoples and cultures of the wider world.  The two great contemporary Jewish communities of America and Israel will require professional and lay leadership who are conversant with and comfortable within the international community.  Improving coexistence throughout the world is no longer an idealistic pipe-dream, it has become a necessity for universal survival.  Kivunim: New Directions will open doors to future study and personal commitment leading towards the emergence of an international Jewish civil service. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

M@M - Midrasha at Meitzar

The M@M program at Meitzar’s Midrasha is a unique experience. It allows you to live with Israeli peers (right before their army service) on campus in the Golan Heights, and participate with them in a special joint program of Social Leadership, Jewish Identity Experiences, Hikes, Classes, and democratic self-decision making.

This is a 24/7 program that demands a lot of energy! (If you’re looking for R&R, M@M is not for you.) For the first five months, Meitzar is your home base; some activities are with the Israelis, and some (mainly specific classes) are apart. Also, life here is very communal, so if you’re the antisocial type, you should look elsewhere. But if you thrive in a vibrant, diverse community, if you’re adventurous and enjoy all kinds of learning (especially while hiking mountains and desert), M@M might just be for you.

This program is geared to secular overseas (mostly Australian) Jews who are high-school graduates, are willing to learn in both formal and informal settings, and can get along well with others in a tight-knit community. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Nativ College Leadership Program

Nativ is a challenging academic year program dedicated to creating and inspiring the Conservative Jewish leaders of tomorrow. Nativ, which means path in Hebrew, provides the unique opportunity to explore new directions along the journey to becoming a Jewish adult. From September to June, Nativ participants engage themselves in the rich and diverse society of Israel, exploring the land and enjoying a fulfilling Conservative Jewish lifestyle, which includes university or yeshiva studies, and innovative leadership training.

In the Academic track, Nativers have the option to study at either Hebrew University or the Conservative Yeshiva during the fall semester in Jerusalem. For the spring semester, Nativers choose between kibbutz living and community service. Throughout the year they will participate in tiyulim, leadership seminars and volunteer work around Jerusalem and other parts of the country.

Nativers on the Yeshiva track spend their entire year studying at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Throughout the year they participate in tiyulim, leadership seminars and volunteer work around Jerusalem and other parts of the country. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Noar Negev - Kibbutz Gvulot Leadership Program

Our intense and fulfilling program combines community and social work at Eshkol regional council, meetings with Israeli colleges and community studies.  The program is based on community work, to encourage the community awareness, analyzing community necessities, strength and weakness, promoting the community commitment and giving practical tools to face the challenges of leadership.

What is included?
Lodging, full board, educational program, Hebrew, excursions, community service & voluntaries social work, community studies (process of chance, community diversification), personal skills empowering (management, group conduction, social initiatives developing), Jewish heritage studies.

First Period: Hebrew studies (Ulpan), acknowledging the Eshkol regional council and the communities in the area, preparation to the community work and service, exploring the Negev region. Second Period: Hebrew studies, implementing the community activities, meetings with Israelis, exploring Israel. Third Period: Implementing the community activities and developing new initiatives, preparation of programs for the specific communities the participants come from, personal counseling.  For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Telem - Time Out Israel

Geared toward high school graduates who have not yet entered a post-secondary course of academic study, the GAP program offers courses – with an option to obtain academic credit - in conjunction with the Netanya Academic College, the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya, and Tel Hai College in the Galilee. Choose from courses of study including Israeli politics and conflict resolution, environmental science, and global economics.  For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Tzofim - Shnat Sherut Tzabar

Tzofim Shnat Sherut is a community service year of volunteering in a development town/underprivileged neighborhood in Israel. The volunteers live together with peers from the Tzofim in Israel.  Members of the communes are provided a stipend for living expenses. Volunteer activities include; Teaching in schools working at the local community center, providing after-school activities for children, leading the tzofim local shevet, working with the elderly, and much more.  Live together with Israeli peers. Support for participants to join Tzofim Garin Tzabar upon completion of the year. Help participants investigate studying in Israeli universities Learn to live independently. Live integrated in Israeli society as Israelis. Train to be a Merakez (coordinator) Shevet for the Tzofim.  For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Young Judaea Year Course

Year Course is a 9-month program of formal and informal education for recent high school graduates who spend a dynamic year living, volunteering and studying in Israel.  The program is divided into three main components:  Jerusalem Academic Studies, Community Volunteering, and the Israeli Experience. 

One third of the program takes place in Jerusalem where students study innovative Jewish and Zionist courses including Hebrew. 

One third takes place in Tel Aviv/Bat Yam where students live in apartments, learn Hebrew, and do volunteer work. 

One third of the program is the Israeli Experience where students can choose from a menu of 40 different choices of volunteer and living experiences across the country which may include: kibbutz, moshav, army programs, naval academy, Magen David Adom (paramedic), fire department, environmental projects, field schools, youth aliyah villages, Eilat coral reef, etc. For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Young Judaea - Shevet

Shevet is a specialized track of Year Course designed to provide a strong framework for participants to explore their Jewish observance in a group setting.  If you are interested in learning more about what it means to be Jewish Shevet is for you. 

The Shevet program combines Jewish learning in an observant atmosphere with substantial volunteer components and active participation in Israeli society. Shevet participants will have occasional t’fillot (prayer services) with special shabbatonim. This track will begin with academic studies in Jerusalem, move to Israeli Experience and end the year with Community Volunteering. Shevet is open to all participants regardless of their previous background.

Shevet offers a few levels of classes depending on a student’s prior level of knowledge.

The academic portion of the program includes chevruta study, formal classroom learning, field trips and seminars. All Year Course students are required to take a Hebrew Ulpan and Zionism classes. Electives include Jewish Philosophy, Talmud, Jerusalem in the Text, Halacha, Machshevet Yisrael, Introduction to the Jewish Bookshelf, and Tanach/Midrash. 

As do all Year Coursers, Shevet participants earn up to a year's worth of university credits from the University of Judaism in California. 

Shevet is an enrichment track of Year Course for students looking for additional Jewish enrichment and activities from a Modern Orthodox, Zionist perspective. Our staff focuses on creating an atmosphere of open dialogue and healthy discourse while inspiring participants to make educated choices with regard to their Jewish identity.  For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

Young Judaea - Tochnit Shalem

The Shalem program is designed to provide participants with a true "Shnat Limud U'Ma'aseh," to integrate the pillars of study and action into a cohesive whole.  Towards this end,  both study and active experiential components continue throughout the year, although the balance varies according to the focus of each period.

Tochnit Shalem (Shnat Limmud uMaaseh)  is a 40 week program of formal and informal education for Orthodox recent high school graduates who spend a dynamic year living, volunteering and studying in Israel. Components include: Community Volunteering, Jerusalem Studies, and Israeli Experience. 

Studies in Jerusalem include Talmud, Chumash, Halacha, Machshevet Yisrael, Hebrew, and Zionism.  Participants earn up to 26 college credits (accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges -- WASC)  while building leadership skills, developing and strengthening their relationship with Torat Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, Medinat Yisrael, and Am Yisrael.

Volunteering and Living Options include schools, hospitals, old age homes, Magen David Adom, firefighting, working with the disabled, Army (Marva Program), Kibbutz Dati, Moshav, environmental projects and much, much more!!!  Participants live in their own apartments (rented by us - not in Jerusalem area), the state of the art brand new dormitory in Jerusalem, kibbutz, army base, moshav, etc.  For more information, contact the JERNY Israel Resource Center at 518-694-9943.

When participating in an educational program in Israel, with a duration of five months or longer, you may be eligible for a significant MASA scholarship. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE ISRAEL RESOURCE CENTER AND JERNY ARE PLEASED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE IN YOUR DISCOVERY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAVEL, VOLUNTEERING, STUDYING AND WORK IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL.  WHILE WE ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT IS ACCURATE AND REFERRALS TO REPUTABLE INSTITUTIONS AND ESTABLISHMENTS, THE ISRAEL RESOURCE CENTER AND JERNY DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS AND IS NOT AFFILIATED OR ASSOCIATED WITH THEM IN ANY WAY. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO INVESTIGATE THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THE ISRAEL RESOURCE CENTER AND JERNY YOURSELF, TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THEY MEET YOUR PERSONAL STANDARDS OF RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE. IT IS NOT WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE ISRAEL RESOURCE CENTER OR JERNY TO ENDORSE STANDARDS OF RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE FOR ANY ORGANIZATION, INDIVIDUAL, INSTITUTION OR ENTITY.

Contact us, email or visit us at our new location at
the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York:

The Israel Resource Center
The Golub Center
184 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 694-9943
yoel@jerny.org

Jewish Educational Resources of New York (JERNY)

199 New Scotland Avenue

Albany, NY 12208

Tel: 518-459-0065

Fax: 518-482-0702