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M a r c h 6 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 1 W J e r u s a l e M

C o m m e r C i a l D e pa r t m e n t


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A life-long leader Interview with Natan Sharansky,Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency 06A meaningful experience Interview with Ayelet Shilo-Tamir,CEO of Masa Israel, and Aaron Abramovich, Chair of Masa Israel 08Big man on campus Hillel PresidentWayne Firestone 12Jewish leadership 101 Building FutureLeadership Alumni: Jordana Gilman 14Rapping it up Building Future LeadershipAlumni: Matt Bar 16Putting skills to good use Building FutureLeadership Alumni: Elana Weil 18Being a Jew in the FSU Building Future LeadershipAlumni: Alexander Jonathan Kravchenko 20Creating the connection Arlene Kaufman, International Co-Chairof the Masa Israel Committee of the Jewish Agency 22The beginning of a new era Alisa Rubin Kurshan, Senior Vice President of theUJA-Federation of New York for Strategic Planning and Organizational Resources 24Tikkun olam vs. Jews first What shouldbe the priorities of Jewish philanthropy? 26Daily schedule of the Building Future LeadershipProgram, March 6-11, 2011, Jerusalem 28

Contents

BUILDING FUTURE LEADERSHIP

Masa Israel Journey www.masaisrael.org, [email protected]. Anat Assa, Avi Steinberg, Osnat Spiegel, Jessica Bernstein-Danino

Haaretz-IHt specIal coMMercIal suppleMent 21 Schocken Street, Tel Aviv. Tel: +972-3-5121774/196, Fax +972-3-5121799

Editor: Rebecca Kopans Graphic Designer: Sarit Malhi Production Manager: Dana Roter Haaretz-IHT Managing Director: Aviva Bronstein

Haaretz-IHT disclaims all responsibility for the pictures.


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February 16, 2011

Dear Building Future Leadership Participants,

I welcome you to Israel and congratulate you on taking part in this important andremarkable program.

The Government of Israel is a proud partner of Masa. The time you spend herestudying and volunteering is one which will help shape your lives for years to come bystrengthening your Jewish identity and affinity with the State of Israel.

As participants in the Building Future Leadership Program, the flagship of Masa,I am certain that whether or not you decide to make Aliyah, as I would hope, you aredestined to become part of the future Jewish leadership and help in building the futureof the Jewish State.

I wish you a successful and interesting program.

Sincerely,Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister


Welcome to the Building Future Leadership Program

Youve already made one of the greatest decisions of your life. Youvechosen to spend an extended period of time in Israel. And while at firstyou might have stumbled on th e Hebrew or mistaken 10 agorot for 10shekalim, youre now easing your way into Israeli life and becoming aconfident member of the Masa Israel Community.

Through the Masa Israel Communitys seminars, lectures, concerts andmeet ups, youve had the opportunity to meet others from all over theworld who have also made the decision to spend a significant amount

of time in Israel. Like you, they have planted their feet in Israel toexperience daily life and contribute to their Jewish homeland. Like you,they are partners in our collective Jewish future and l eaders of theirJewish peers.

Now, we want to help you sharpen your already burgeoning leadershipskills. The intensive Building Future Leadership Program will giveyou the tools to channel your Israel experience by inspiring change,educating others, and launching your own creative initiatives in yourcommunities back home.

This week, get ready to join t ogether with your Jewish peers from allover the world for discussions and workshops, brainstorming sessionsand more. Some of the events to look forward to include discussionsabout issues critical to the Jewish people, entrepreneurship training,networking skill building sessions and meetings with social activistsand community leaders.

You will learn about organizations back home and on campus thatare actively seeking Masa Israel participants like you to fill leadershippositions. By applying the tools and skills you will gain during thisintensive week, you will not only become a more confident advocatefor Israel and the Jewish people, but you will be able to make a realdifference in your communities back home.

Get ready to be inspired, to think seriously about the kind ofimpact you want to make, and to realize that your dreams arewell within your reach.

We cant wait to take part in this exciting journey with you!

The Masa Israel Team

M a r c h 6 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 1 W J e r u s a l e M



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On American university campuses, whereanti-Israel sentiments are increasingly wide-spread, Masa alumni have become importantsoldiers on the battlefield and Sharansky hasbeen instrumental in promoting Israel Fellowsand special programs with Hillel in orderto challenge Israel bashers on campuses. Infact, when he became Chairman of the JewishAgency less than two years ago, Israel advo-cacy programs existed on 17 American cam-puses. Today the number is 40 and Sharanskyhopes to reach 100 colleges and universities inthe near future.

As for aliya, Sharansky says that it hasincreased in recent years, especially fromFrance, the United Kingdom, the UnitedStates, South Africa and Australia, but todaypeople make aliya by free choice, not inorder to be physically saved. Many of themfirst made a short trip and then a long trip be-fore deciding to move to Israel, he notes. TheJewish Agency used to separate between threeseparate spheres, each with its own efforts andbudget: aliya, Jewish education and helpingIsrael. Now they are all treated as part of thesame entity, where everyone can find his or

her place. There is only one goal strength-ening our Jewish family, affirms Sharansky.

The struggle to empower JewsWhen asked which characteristics are im-

portant for leaders, Sharanskys immediate re-ply is ambition. I had ambition to be the bestchess player. When, at the age of 14, I saw thatI wasnt, I moved to physics. Later I decidedto be the best political prisoner, he jokes. Healso points out that leaders should be inde-pendent thinkers. You have to have opinionswhich are independent of the majority andyou have to be ready to defend your opinion,

otherwise you wont succeed, he says.Sharansky certainly never hesitated to st

up for his beliefs. In the 1970s, he becathe official spokesman for two Soviet dsident movements at the same time: one the Jewish Refusenik movement the tused for Jews who wanted to emigrate forligious and Zionist reasons and the other wthe more universal Moscow Helsinki Groaimed to promote human rights in the SovUnion. Sharansky calls Andrei Sakharov, non-Jewish Nobel Peace Prize winner wwas a famous human rights activist a nd a leaof the Moscow Helsinki Group, his rabbi.

According to Sharansky, the fact that he wso active in these two important movementthe reason that his case was special and he became one of the best known Soviet dsidents. That and the fact that the KGB copletely underestimated my wife, he jokSharansky also advised aspiring leaders nobe in a hurry to join the establishment. Rathone should challenge the establishment untaccepts you, after which you should let the tablishment take credit for all your hard wo

Sharansky has implemented this stratat different times in his life. For example,ter he was released from the Siberian gulag,continued to apply his leadership skills to fifor the fall of the I ron Curtain. In 1987 he spthree months in the US with his wife and neborn daughter, traveling all over to organa demonstration in Washington DC plannto coincide with the day of Soviet PresidGorbachevs first visit to the US capital. dreamed of bringing hundreds of thousandspeople to Washington but was told that he wcrazy and irresponsible because no more t17,000 Jews would come to DC in DecembEven though the whole Jewish establishmwas originally against his plan, they eventuarelented and a whopping 250,000 people camto the rally from all over the US. The event winfluential in pressuring the Soviet Unionease its restrictions on emigration.

All of Sharanskys leadership roles wabout the same issue the struggle to epower Jews and to make them proud of bea part of the Jewish people. To be a Jewleader, he concludes, you have to feel vstrongly about the importance of your idtity. Natan Sharansky has made it very clthat he certainly does feel strongly aboutidentity and that is precisely the secret oftriumphs over a lifetime of challenges. W

To be a leader youhave to have opinions

which are independentof the majority and youhave to be ready to defendyour opinion, otherwiseyou wont succeed

An Activist since birth

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Natan Sharanskywith Masaparticipants


A life-long leader

When it was founded 81 years agoby David Ben-Gurion, the JewishAgencys original mission was to

bilize world Jewry around Zionist idealsd to save Jews from countries where theyre being oppressed and their lives weredanger. In the decades that followed, the

wish Agency saved some three million Jews,nging them to the Jewish homeland.Today, says Jewish Agency Chairman Natanaransky, priorities have shifted. There arel Jews living in danger in countries such asnisia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and others. We aretching very closely the 1,200 Jews in Tunisia,000 in Venezuela, 1,200 in Kyrgyzstan,000 in Turkey and especially the 22,000

ws still living in Iran who are potentially innger, he asserts. However, now 94% of aspora Jews live in the free world and theallenge is to save them from assimilation.

connecting to ones identitySharansky views the main goal today as

onnecting, inspiring and empowering Jewsund the world in order to strengthen their

wish identity. Young Jews in countriesch as the US often have had no connectionJudaism since their Bar Mitzvah, he says.anks to Taglit-Birthright Israels ten-day

ps to Israel which are offered to all youngws, many people who had no previous con-ction to their heritage decide to take advan-e of the free trips and find that it is oftenfe-changing experience. What happens in

ten days? They discover that they have a histo-ry, that Israel is a very interesting experiment,and they want to be a part of it part of theJewish people, explains Sharansky.

A similar phenomenon is taking place inthe Former Soviet Union, where assimilatedJewish children of assimilated parents and as-similated grandparents attend Jewish sum-mer camps where they are exposed to theirJewish identity for the first time and become

curious. Suddenly they want to learn moreabout who they are.

Sharansky believes that this is where Masais so important. It harnesses the enthusiasmthat has been sparked by short-term experi-ences such as Birthright and summer campsand allows young Jews to come to Israel forlonger periods of time on a program which ex-

actly suits their interests and needs. Israel isa great source of reconnecting to ones historyand mutual identity, he believes. A long-term trip to Israel through Masa is a uniqueopportunity to help these young Jews becomeleaders in their communities.

In Germany, for example, there are approxi-mately 200,000 Jews, mostly immigrants fromthe Former Soviet Union, scattered among170 different communities with no leader-ship and no sense of i dentity. The challenge,says Sharansky, is how quickly we can buildpotential leaders for communities such asthose in Germany. Masa is a powerful tool forpreparing them for leadership. It connects anIsrael experience with Jewish education.

Defending IsraelAlthough some people believe that expo-

sure to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attitudeshas the effect of strengthening ones senseof Jewish identity, Sharansky does not agree.Today the process of the demonization of Israel causes embarrassment, he claims.Young people dont have the education neces-sary to defend Israel effectively and many pre-fer to just keep quiet. They need to be betterinformed about the facts i n order to know howto stand up against anti-Israel rhetoric.

atan Sharansky, the Chairman of the Executive of thewish Agency for Israel, has been at the forefront of Jewish

ctivism throughout his fascinating life. He shared with usome words of wisdom about the secrets of leadership ande state of the Jewish world today W Rebecca Kopans

Leadership is the ability to consider all sides of an issue while maintaining your core values andultimately making decisions for the well-being of everyone under your guidance.

Lillian Aulds, 28, Virginia, Building Future Leadership partici pant, Masa Israel program: Neve Yerushalayim

Sharansky arrives in Israel after being releasedfrom the Soviet prison 25 years ago


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Those who come here on a Masaprogram already have that feelingof commitment and are searchingfor meaning, agrees Ayelet Shiloh-Tamir,Masa Israels CEO. And we hope to givethem a meaningful experience that they willalways remember.

Becoming leadersRecognizing the growing need to train and

develop the cadre of the future, Masa Israel hasbegun recently to focus more on enhancingthe relationship with its graduates and encour-aging them to take on leadership roles afterreturning to their home countries. We alreadyhave brought to Israel the crme de la crmeof their age group for a significant amount of time. Those who come here are already moresocially engaged; they are looking for ways toenhance their experience, and are interested inother issues aside from themselves. It will be awaste not to use it, reckons Shiloh-Tamir.

As a result, Masa Israel offers the BuildingFuture Leadership Program to a select groupof Masa participants who have been identi-fied as potential future community leadersand activists. We want to give them tools inorder for them to become social leaders, so-cial entrepreneurs, and to be socially engaged.We want them to be able to form a network of future leaders, and to expand their knowledge

on topics and things that they find relevant,explains Shiloh-Tamir.

This brings us back to Masa Israels origi-nal goal, Abramovich adds, to increase thecommitment and identification of DiasporaJews to Israel by providing a meaningful ex-perience here in Israel. We understood thatin order to achieve that goal, we need also tofocus on helping those participants developtools that will aid them when they return totheir communities. As a result, all Masaparticipants are encouraged to apply to theBuilding Future Leadership seminar. Thosewho are selected are those in whom we seea spark, that certain drive or enthusiasm, anda commitment to becoming leaders in theircommunities, maintains Abramovich.

Tools for community engagementThe current one-week seminar attempts

to provide the participants with actual tools.There are workshops that focus on Jewish

The best way to engage someone in Jewish issues isy giving them a meaningful experience that they willherish for the rest of their life. The best time to do thatwhen they are young, when they are more sensitive

nd are freer to take the time off to live in Israel, saysaron Abramovich, Chair of Masa Israel W Gaya Polat

A MeAnIngfulexperIenCe

Ayelet Shiloh-Tamir,CEO of Masa Israel

Aaron Abramovich,Chair of Masa Israel


education, important issues in the Jewishworld, how to confront various challenges(for example on college campuses), Israeladvocacy, and more. Organizers also exposeseminar participants to actual project develop-ment experience. Participants are divided intosmall groups according to mutual interest andare required to prepare business plans for theirpersonal projects.

The Building Future Leadership seminaris project oriented we want to take them tothe next level, elaborates Shiloh-Tamir. Ouridea is to step up to the next level, where theygo back to their communities and they needthe tools for community building and engag-ing. We want to enrich their personal capabili-ties and show them the different options, givethem ideas.

Abramovich adds: If well check intwenty years, Im sure that we will findthat those who participated in the currentBuilding Future Leadership program will be

the leaders of the Jewish world in every field.The youth that attends is already much moreengaged.

The idea that Masa participants in general,and Building Future Leadership participantsin particular, will become influential in theJewish world is not far-fetched it is prettymuch the reality anyway. A recent survey con-ducted among Masa graduates found that 46%of past participants said that they had givenserious thought to pursuing a Jewish profes-sional career in the past year. Furthermore,even when they return to their respective com-munities, Masa graduates remain attuned toIsrael and Judaism. For example, 86% visitedwebsites related to Israel (compared to 49%of graduates of short-term programs suchas Taglit-Birthright Israel); 94% listened toIsraeli music (compared to 50%); 80% attend -ed classes, lectures or study groups related toIsrael (as opposed to 27% of those who cameon short programs); and 61% regularly read

Ayelet Shiloh-Tamir: More

and more post-collegegraduates are decidingthat instead of settlingon a low-paying job, orremaining unemployed,its better for them tocome to Israel for aninternship or professionaldevelopment program

A Masa Post CollegeLeadership group


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Israeli newspapers on the Internet (comparedto a mere 13% of short-term program alum-ni). In terms of actual political involvement,53% participated in political activity havingto do with Israel, compared to only 17% of those who came to Israel on programs such asTaglit-Birthright Israel.

A stronger connectionMasa Israel participants come from a varied

background. Some have had a rich Jewish up-bringing most of these grew up in Orthodoxcircles, some come from a moderate Jewishupbringing (both parents are Jewish but theywent to a public school for example), andsome around 30% of the participants comewith relatively little Jewish background. Mostof those in the last group join a Masa program

after visiting Israel on a ten-day Birthrighttrip.

Surprisingly, the largest increase in Masaparticipants in recent years came from post-college graduates with little previous affilia-tion. Indeed, the recent economic depressionhas led to an increase in the number of post-college participants who seek to come toIsrael. More and more post-college graduatesare deciding that instead of settling on a low-paying job, or remaining unemployed, its bet-ter for them to come to Israel for an internshipor professional development program. Weput them in a top-notch place that is relevantto their field of work, whether its the high-tech sector, the civil service, the art world orwhatever. That way, they come here and gainan important experience that greatly enhancestheir CV and allows them to find a better jobplacement when they return home, explainsShiloh-Tamir.

This change is extremely important in hereyes. It means that these days those whocome to Israel on Masa do so not only be-cause of Zionism, but for a wide variety of reasons, including practical reasons of self-promotion, she says. This provides us witha great opportunity in terms of enhancing andstrengthening the connection and identifica-tion with Israel and Judaism.

Regardless of the different backgrounds,there is no doubt that for the young Jewishadults who decide to come to Israel on along-term program, Masa provides an expe-rience that greatly boosts Jewish identity andcommitment to the Jewish world. The studymentioned above also found that the impactof a Masa program is profound in all areas of Israeli and Jewish engagement. Even more so,a Masa program enables those with relativelylittle Jewish upbringing to close the gap vis-a-vis those who grew up in a fully Jewish en-vironment.

Part of growing upAfter participating in a Masa program,

there appears to be little difference in thelevel of attachment and identification with

We understoodthat we also need

focus on helpingarticipants developols that will aid themhen they return to their

ommunities, saysaron Abramovich

To me, being a leader means guiding others toward a common goal, showing the way by example,and creating an environment in which your followers feel actively involved in the task at hand.

Sydney Orenstein, 18, California, Building Future Leadership participant, Masa Israel program: Aardvark

Judaism and Israel among participants withrich Jewish backgrounds and those withlimited Jewish backgrounds. All participantsshow high levels of attachment, identifica-tion and commitment to Israel and Jewish is-sues in all parameters. For example, 53% of non-Orthodox Masa participants said that it isimportant to date Jews and 71% said that itsimportant to in-marry. In fact, 63% claim thatthey only dated Jews in the past year. The per-centage of Orthodox Masa participants whosay its important to date Jews and in-marry iseven higher above 90%.

Despite the fact that the number of partici-pants has grown steadily since 2003, Shiloh-Tamir says that there is still more work to do.Our long-term goal is that a significant stayhere in Israel through a Masa program willbecome the norm. We hope that in the futureit will become part of the growing up processof Diaspora Jews that around one in five willcome here. To achieve that goal, Masa Israelexerts continuous efforts to enlarge and ex-pand the wide variety of programs it offers.

We can hope that in the future young Jewsfrom around the world will naturally cometo Israel for a significant amount of time,in much the same vein that so many youngIsraelis travel to South America or India. W

About MAsA IsrAel

W Masa Israel, a joint program of the JewishAgency for Israel and the Governmentof Israel, is the leading organization thatbrings to Israel young Jews for a significantexperience lasting at least one semester andup to one year. Since its inception in 2003,more than 55,000 young Jews from aroundthe world have come to Israel through Masato experience living in Israel.

W This year, more than 10,000 young adultsarrived in the country from all over the world,participating in over 180 different programsoffering community service, internships andacademic opportunities. The menu of Masaprograms is designed so that everyonecan find the one that best suits theirneeds and interests. There are programsin literally every field and in every leadinginstitution, university, industry and sector,ranging from professional internships andacademic studies to programs in the arts andcommunity volunteering.

W Masa Israels programs cater to threedifferent target groups. Some are intendedfor high-school graduates looking for ameaningful Gap Year experience, someare designed for college students interestedin spending a semester or year studying inIsrael, and others are aimed at post-collegegraduates who wish to come here for eitheran internship or professional development.The programs are designed as a win-win situation to increase their personalattachment and identification with the Jewishpeople and with Israel while enriching theirlives on a personal level.

BUILDING FUTURE LEADERSHIP 11


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Big man on campus

The student years are what devel-opmental psychologists refer toas the Odyssey years, whereuth are searching for and processing theirntities. Its a period of enthusiasm, interestd curiosity, says Hillel President Wayneestone. This is one of the best periods of gagement for the Jewish community. Weed to figure out how to connect the dotsween these experiences and when theycome leaders, he adds. The challenge isw to introduce them as potential leadersJewish organizations once they leave col-e.On the national level, and increasingly on

global level, Firestone is seeing studentders emerging as community leaders,ether as volunteers or as professionals. In

dition, Firestone and his colleagues see vol-teer leadership coming not only from Hillel,t from other groups as well.Firestone took his first trip to Israel at thed of high school, and then, as he puts it, het kept coming back. He spent his Juniorar and a semester of law school at Tel Aviviversity, and then returned after practic-law for a while. There was nothing left

do but move back and make aliyah, saysestone with a smile.He lived in Israel for more than eight yearsd returned to the United States in 2002,rking for Hillel ever since. He joined the

ganization as executive director of Hillelsael on Campus Coalition, which allowedm to travel around to different campuses andrn about student life. Other positions hesd in the organization include staff directorHillels Strategic Planning Committee andecutive vice president for the US operations,fore becoming President.Firestone began his relationship with Hillelring his student years at the University of ami. While in college, Hillel whet my ap-ite for examining both my Israel identity

and my Jewish identity, he recalls. Thesetwo issues were intertwined, but also verydistinct from one another. Firestone wantedto learn more about Jewish history, Jewishthought and Jewish practice and became aJudaic studies major. Says Firestone, I want-ed to explore both modern and ancient Israel,as they are woven together.

The Masa connection

When Firestone talks about studentschoosing to come to Israel, he again refersto the Odyssey period. Students are run-ning away from home, in a sense. Odysseuslearned during his travels that he did want toreturn home. These students are escaping.They are traveling to Israel and discoveringat least one aspect of home, davka by leav-ing their physical homes. Theyre discoveringroots, a narrative, a story; theyre discovering

a connection to the people of Israel as well asto the land of Israel, he says. That is a verypowerful thing.

As part of its ongoing commitment to Israel,Hillel created the Masa Israel EngagementInternship. There are currently 50 Masa IsraelEngagement Interns on 48 campuses acrossthe US and Canada, and each intern is super-vised by a local staff member. Each intern isexpected to cultivate relationships with theaim of connecting peers to relevant Jewish op-portunities, and specifically to identify poten-tial Masa Israel program participants. Whenthese students return to their home communi-ties, they are trained as part of a student lead-ership cadre in the summer, in order to beginto share their stories and act as role modelsand peer ambassadors.

This aspect of the program mirrorsFirestones own experience that the enrich-ment one gets on an Israel tr ip is not merely thewow factor, as he puts it, of going away fora semester to Paris or Rome. Students are go-ing to enjoy wherever they go for s tudy abroadprograms, he says. The Israel experience isless about taking a semester or a year off, andmore about the beginning or the continuing of a much longer journey of Jewish identity andconnection to the State of Israel. We at Hillelview students as our most invested stakehold-ers not just to give them more stuff, but alsoto help them give back to their peers in a waythat the staff perhaps cannot.

Speaking enthusiastically, Firestone recallstwo Masa interns. One was Russian born, grewup in the US and studied at Brooklyn College.The other was born and raised in Russia, stud-ied at Brandeis, and is now impacting on thedevelopment of Hillel in Moscow. They arecoming and going in different directions, andeach in her own way has changed through herexperiences, becoming global leaders regard-less of where they live and who they interactwith, drawing on their experiences and then

illel President Wayne Firestone believes that the student years are the best periodf time to connect people to Jewish life. Thats why on campuses throughout theS and many other countries Hillel actively engages Jewish students, encouragingem to explore their identity and their relationship with Israel W L z Ro nb rg

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BUILDING FUTURE LEADERSHIP BUILDING FUTURE LEADERSHIP 13

applying that knowledge. I see this as the kindof experience where Masa will continue tohave a unique impact.

When I think specifically about the 140students participating in Masas BuildingFuture Leadership seminar returning homeand entering college for the first time, when Ithink about them focusing their attent ion on theimpact they can have on their campuses, I think about a peer network that can reach thousands,if not tens of thousands, he adds. These stu-dents probably represent between 75 and 100different universities. The prospect of bringingthem together when theyre in Israel and notjust giving them the pep rally, but also the toolsto begin to share their stories with their ownpeer networks is really phenomenal.

Hillel tries to help these returning BuildingFuture Leadership students identify an ad-ditional 60 people in their social networkswhom they can connect with personally notover Facebook, says Firestone, but to actu-ally sit down and have coffee with them, toinvite them to activities; to get together witha few others and share experiences. He adds,If you take those 140 and multiply by 60,you can really see over the course of the yeargeographically, not just the breadth of thosecontacts, but also the depth. This is a genera-tion that acutely knows how to network andbring in their social networks, and part of whatwere trying to do is help them have both theconfidence and the skills to share their expe-riences in a way that is very individualized.

Each social network is different, and whgoing to have the most powerful effect is fact that they themselves are investing ttime, creativity and own signature on eachthese stories. This is what has really resonawith this generation.

Hillel around the world

Today, there are operating Hillels throuout the Former Soviet Union, as well asLatin America, Israel, the United Kingdand Australia, and the organization is thinkabout how to leverage its global network, only in places where it already operates, also to benefit Jewish students in their glothinking and travels. More and more, Hiwill be perceived not merely as the plwhere we have a physical building or an tive student group, but also where we connJewish students on their physical and spiritjourneys, as well as in other ways, remaFirestone.

Hillel operations differ around the worldIsrael, Hillel primarily serves native Israand the language of communication is He brThe nature of activities is different, and studeare older than their North American counparts. In other regions, students are in schfor a longer period of time, so the blendingyoung adults and students is more profououtside the US. And even within the US therdiversity. According to Firestone, the charter of a local Hillel is refle ctive of the prevaiuniversity environment.

In the FSU, people who were disconnecfor years and in many cases didnt even rize they were Jewish are beginning to recture and re-explore their Jewish roots. In LaAmerica, which is one of the most Zionoriented regions in the Hillel network, influence of being exposed to different kinof pluralistic Jewish expressions is startingbe seen. What we see emerging is not a mogenization; its probably going to look molike a Moroccan cholent , says Firestone wgrin. Its going to be very distinctive. You mnot know exactly what youre eating or whercomes from, but it is very flavorful. W

Wayne Firestone,President of Hillel

I would like to learn more about current social justice issues and how to become a more effectiveleader. I would like to learn more about communicating effectively with different groups of people.

Adina Weinberg, 18, Texas, Building Future Leadership part icipant, Masa Israel program: Aardvark


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Jewish leadership 101

Masa Israels Building FutureLeadership program is especiallydesigned to strengthen the leadershiplls of young adults who have expressed anerest in assuming active roles in their com-unities. And it is exactly this intention thatompted Jordana Gilman from upstate Newrk to join the Building Future Leadership

ogram during her Masa Israel experience ontiv. I decided to do the program because I

ways planned on being a Jewish leader onmpus, explains Jordana. It was alwaysmething that I expected to do, and I thoughtt the seminars would give me good skills to

e and would prepare me to take on a leader-p role at Cornell University.Though she did not quite know what to ex-ct going in, Jordana was pleased to find theogram to be both challenging and inspiring.he workshops took a creative approach tocticing public speaking and exploring ourn identities. The tours of Jerusalem werethe same famous places but with new anderesting stories and facts. We talked aboutlege, heroes and vision, and I left the pro-m with some solid, realistic, ready-for-ac-n program plans and college level leader-p techniques. We also learned a lot aboutw to advocate for Israel and what to do if re are anti-Israel sentiments on our campus,d we got pretty close as a group as well. Bytime Havdalah came around on our secondekend together, we knew that we had expe-nced something very unique and meaning- and we were better people because of it,

e says.Jordana was particularly inspired by theest speakers. We had great speakers comek to us, including Gil Troy, a professor from

McGill University in Canada, Neil Lazarus,and Jessica Kosmin, who talked about her ex-periences advocating for Israel on her campusin England. I feel it helped me channel myleadership skills.

One of Jordanas more memorableBuilding Future Leadership moments waswhen she and her peers were sent to the mar-ket in Jerusalem to collect food donations forneedy families. On the ride to the market, Iwas nervous; soliciting really isnt my thing,especially with a language barrier. Twentyminutes into volunteering, however, my armswere heavy with bags of fruit and vegetables,and I was beaming at my partner. It felt amaz-

ing. Thats not to say it wasnt hard, becausesome people said no and some people couldhardly help themselves, and that was difficultto see.

The program also afforded Jordana the op-portunity to assess the needs of the collegeshe was to attend and to design a program shecould carry out on campus. I created a pro-gram that brings together Greek life and Jewsin fun celebrations with a little bit of educationto make Judaism visible and comfortable, andI hope to implement it this spring, she notes.

Ac o o caThree months after completing her Masa

Israel program, 20-year-old Jordana joinedthe student body of Cornell University as apre-med student, and it was not long thereaf-ter that she started making use of her newlygained leadership skills. On entering CornellUniversitys Olin Library, Jordana noticed thatwhile the Gaza Strip appeared on the librarysworld map, Israel did not. Displeased withthe blatant omission, she took initiative andraised the issue with the maps librarian, anda few days later Israel was added to the map.Needless to say, Jordana was very pleased withthe outcome. Israel is now on the map, in thesame font as other countries, and it looks verynice sitting there along the Mediterranean witha little chunk cut out here and there for the fu-ture Palestinian state, she remarks.

Jordana has also taken on a leading rolein opposing the rhetoric of anti-Israel speak-ers who give lectures at Cornell by writingletters of response to the editor of CornellUniversitys newspaper, among other means.Wishing to actively influence Jewish life oncampus, Jordana joined the Cornell Hillel

Between high school and college, Jordana Gilman spent ayear on Masa Israels Nativ program, which aims to inspire theConservative Jewish leaders of tomorrow. She also participatedon the Building Future Leadership program. Now she is a leadingJewish activist and Israel advocate at Cornell University, withlots of ideas for involving her fellow Jewish students W Natalie Page

u i l d i n g f u t u r e l e A d e r s h i p A l u m n i


Board and was elected in December 2010 tothe Chair of Jewish Education and Cult ure. Assuch, she is in charge of interfaith program-ming and Jewish cultural events.

I just took on the role of Board Member,and I hope that by the end of this semestersome of my programs will have really takenoff and I will have brought meaningful Jewishexperiences to more people, says Jordana.The position is the perfect mix of religionand fun that will allow me to create innovativeprograms and collaborate with other areas of the Hillel Board. It also lends itself well to col-laboration with groups outside of the Jewishcommunity at Cornell.

Jordana is excited about her newly assumedrole, and has already begun planning theHillel cultural events that will mark HolocaustRemembrance Day. My vision for this dayincludes a daytime event that focuses on theglobal issues involving Yom HaShoah, spe-cifically human rights abuses in other coun-tries today. We could team up with humanrights groups on campus for a public displayof solidarity on Ho Plaza. Then later, the pro-gram would have a more personal aspect. Weare going to be the last generation to hear aHolocaust survivor speak, so I think it is im-perative that we invite a survivor for a discus-sion. The night will conclude wit h Yizkor can-dles and a short non-denominational prayer.

A formidable visionAccording to Jordana, the biggest chal-

lenge she is facing as a member of the Hillel

Board at Cornell University is that the greatnumber of Jews on campus, approximately3,000, has led many to feel that they do notneed to participate in Jewish programming inorder to have a Jewish experience on campus.We really want to bring people to our pro-grams and events, so our challenge is to bereally engaging and to create conditions thatdraw those people in even though they do notfeel like they need to go, she explains.

Another issue that she intends to address isthe ongoing undertone of anti-Israel sentimenton campus. It is all very intellectual, speakerbased; there are no big protests or people set-ting up walls, but every so often, once everysix weeks, there is a speaker who is anti-Israelor a book that is advertised that is anti-Israel.The students are mostly politically apathetic,but there is a small group of very political stu-dents that cause the problems, she notes.

Jordanas leadership vision when it comto Cornell University is a formidable one: want to make Cornell a model university how students deal with the Israeli-Palestinconflict. We, as students, are not going to heBibi [Netanyahu] and Mahmoud [Abbreach a peace agreement. There are lots smart people working on that already. Whwe can do is influence our own and other campuses to focus on our shared goal of peaThis message will resonate well with studeand improve how people see Israel.

For those planning on assuming a simleadership role on campus, Jordana recomends to get involved right from the begning. Students typically get caught up in oter things and form relationships early on in year, and if you dont get involved right awyou might feel that it isnt your communand that you are not welcome, so I say jjump right in and start building your commnity right from the start. That is something treally helped me.

Amazing experienceWhile Jordana has always been hig

involved in her Jewish community, particlarly in the United Synagogue Youth (USYshe recognizes the great impact that her yein Israel has had on her leadership roleCornell. I think that I always had it insme, but Masa and Building Future Leadershgave me the confidence to go for it while I aat college. If I wouldnt have had that traininI wouldnt have written letters to the campnewspaper and wouldnt have just walked insomeones office and said, hey, Israel is non the map, you have to fix that. And I wouhave waited another year to get r eally involvin the Hillel Board, so Masa definitely steppthings up for me. It was a catalyst.

Building Future Leadership in particuwas really helpful. It prepared me for collein a way that I wouldnt have been had I gonstraight from high school to college withhaving the training and workshops to impromy leadership skills, she concludes. I am ally happy I did it. It was an amazing expeence for me. W

If I wouldnt havehad the training from

Building Future Leadership,I wouldnt have writtenletters to the campusnewspaper and wouldnthave just walked intosomeones office and said,hey, Israel is not on themap, you have to fix that

Far left: At the BiblicalZoo in Jerusalem.Left: Volunteeringwith special needschildren at the Shalvapool in Jerusalem.


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10/19


11/19


Being a Jew in the FSU

The 29-year-old from Odessa, Ukrainecame to Israel with Masa at the endof 2006 to study business adminis-tion and English, joined by participantsm all over the Former Soviet Union. Mostre from Russia and Ukraine, while othersre from places like Moldova, Georgia andlarus.I had an electronics degree and had neverne anything related to business before, but

was interested in studying business admin-ation, says Jonathan. Masa not only of-ed me an opportunity to do just that; it alsoovided an exciting, comprehensive programt allowed me to study in Israel and learnout aspects of Israeli society that I hadnttten to know on previous visits.

i g o k ow IAfter spending the first month of the pro-m improving his Hebrew in an ulpan,

nathan spent the next four months taking ax of business and English courses, as welltouring the country, honing his leadershiplls and having what he fondly refers to asIsraeli experience, which included an

azing two-week stint volunteering at anmy base near Tel Aviv, a weekend spenting with host families in Rosh Haayinsform community and a group activ-planting saplings in the Carmel on Tu

shvat, where the big fire was, he saysth a rueful smile. It was a mitzvah for usplant those trees in Israel, and it was veryportant to me to be able to do this, heded.Jonathan and his fellow Masa partici-nts lived in a hotel in Jerusalems Malchaghborhood, studying at the Malcha

Technological Garden branch of Israels OpenUniversity during the week and enjoying avariety of activities and programs over theweekends. Our weekend activities were justas important as our regular programming andplayed an integral role in our overall experi-ence, he stresses. It gave us an opportunityto spend time getting to know the country andits people better.

Living in Jerusalem added immeasurablyto his Israeli experience, as he took advan-tage of the citys various social and culturalofferings, including Jerusalems infamousHamshushalayim festival, which offers ei-

ther free or discounted entry at cul-tural and touristic venues through-out the city over three successiveweekends at years end. It was awonderful experience, notesJonathan. Thanks to Masasstaff, we received all the in-formation we needed about themuseums, transportation and soon. I was able to visit all of themuseums for free, museums I

might not otherwise have had an opportunityto discover on my own, he added.

C gi g i c ioPrior to participating in Masa, Jonathan

worked as a counselor for the Jewish Agencyfrom 1999 through 2006. Since the JewishAgency is one of several organizations pro-moting Masa in Ukraine along with Nativand Hillel its not surprising that he decidedto participate in Masa. Since I was workingfor the Jewish Agency in Odessa at the time,I was already familiar with Masa and the dif-ferent study options that were available. Thebusiness administration track seemed like agood idea, he says. I liked what the programhad to offer on a number of different levels.

Upon completing the program, Jonathanreceived a certificate that highlighted his ex-cellent grades. He notes that he had the best

grades in his group, even though there wereother participants who had previously

taken business courses orreceived degrees in relat-ed subjects in their home

countries. Masa gave methe tools to look at and think about things differently. Thethings I learned during thecourse of the program bothin my studies and through oth-er Masa activities definitelyhelped me out professionally

after I returned to Ukraine,he says.

Today, Kravchenko works asa manager in a company that

sells electronic goods. Heworks at the wholesale end

Alexander Jonathan Kravchenko smilesfrequently as he recalls his time spent in Israelas a Masa participant. He has no doubt that hisexperience on Masa shaped his life in termsof both his profession and his involvement inOdessas Jewish community W Liza Rosenberg

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of the business, specializing in the sale of lap-top computers and desktop monitors to storesand businesses across southern Ukraine. Inaddition, he was also responsible for devel-oping the infrastructure for this aspect of thebusiness, and has played a key role in the com-panys high monthly sales.

Says Jonathan, Masa provided me withthe opportunity to discover that business ad-ministration is easier than I thought it wouldbe, and pushed me to consider moving in adirection that I hadnt previously considered entering the business world and taking onleadership and management roles. The knowl-edge I gained from my business administra-tion studies during Masa definitely helped meto reach my current position.

Jonathan is still involved with Masa, and ishappy to visit other cities and towns to presentand promote the program, taking time off fromwork as necessary in order to do so. As a pro-gram graduate, he is sometimes called uponby Masa organizers to attend functions in cit-ies like Kiev, talking to prospective programapplicants and enthusiastically sharing hisexperiences. He recently participated in a touraround the Former Soviet Union with otherMasa graduates, visiting big cities throughoutthe region with the express purpose of pro-moting Masa.

The Jewish connection

Kravchenko was 14 when he made hisfirst trip to Israel, and continued to make pe-riodic trips for two to four weeks at a time tovisit relatives living in the country. He beganlearning Hebrew 13 years ago, improving hislanguage skills while working for the JewishAgency in Odessa and then honing them even

more during his five-month stint in Israel onMasa. Today, he is virtually fluent.

He always felt like he was part of OdessasJewish community, but was not such an ac-tive member in his youth. While working forthe Jewish Agency, he was active primarily in

Jewish Agency activities. Today, as a Magraduate, he is more involved in communactivities that he discovered during the pgram, and less involved with the activities rby the Jewish Agency.

These days, as a husband and father of tchildren, Jonathan considers himself to more active in the community. Jewish holidaare very important to him; he goes to the syngogue every year on Yom Kippur, and carefuly observes the traditi ons of holidays li ke YKippur and Passover. My colleagues werenused to people celebrating holidays from othreligions, he remarks. I explained to ththat as a Jew, there are certain holidays whewont be coming into work. They dont havproblem with that, he notes.

For the Kravchenkos, it was very imptant to both of them that their children atteJewish day schools. Their daughter is in seond grade at a local secular Jewish school, atheir son will go to the same school once finishes pre-school. We definitely wana school that was connected to Judaism, bdidnt want the school to be too religiousays Jonathan. At this school, the childrlearn regular subjects such as mathematiand they also learn Hebrew.

Kravchenko is still in contact with seveother program participants from his grothough these connections are kept up solvia the Internet because these friends are pmarily in Russia and Israel. Some of themhe notes, have even made aliyah. W

Ukraines Jewish commUnity

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Left: A kiddush with thelocal Jewish community.Below: Odessa, Ukraine.


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Ifirst became involved because an olderwoman, a woman whom I liked, in-vited me to join a committee, Arleneufman explains. I didnt ask. I was invited.d this was a problem in the past; if you weret in a certain track, people were not neces-ily helpful in encouraging you to exploreat Judaism actually meant.There is a lesson to be learnt from this, shentinues: If one is young and has the pas-n, but not the confidence to explore thatssion, I dont think that the Jewish commu-y has been welcoming in the past. In thisecdote lies an invaluable clue about howst to energize the young Jewish generationtackle both the challenges facing Diasporammunities and the increasingly fragile con-ction with Israel in the 21st century.Kaufman, the international co-chair of

Masa Israel Committee of the Jewishency and on the Boards of the JDC and thethright Israel Foundation, has a long andtinguished history of service to J ewish com-

unities. A past president of the Palm Beachunty Federation, she has also served as theair of Project Interchange, an institute of themerican Jewish Committee that organizesort trips to Israel for influential non-Jews.short, she has made a lifes work of ensur-

strength and continuity in the Americanwish community.

oviding the toolsKaufman understands intimately the impor-ce of long-term initiatives that bring young

Jews closer to Israel and to Jewish causes.Weve known for a long time that they en-gender a true Zionist zeal, she observes. Thisis the case, in her opinion, regardless of thesocial or religious orientation of the programin question. Of course, there have been pro-grams like Otzma that have been around foryears, that have been able to create even in thenon-observant a love of Israel and a love of their people, she says.

What was lacking up to now, in her estima-tion, was an authentic plurality in the scopeof this approach. Its brilliant that the JewishAgency thought of expanding the program, of

bringing Jews from all over the world who areinterested in Israel to Israel.

Masas work has been instrumental in thisrespect, serving as an umbrella for more than180 work, study and volunteer programs inIsrael for Jewish young people. Ranging fromecological activism to facilitating bilateral andconsortia relationships between American andIsraeli universities, it has been influential instrengthening Jewish identity and connectionto Israel.

Kaufman, however, notes that while thecontent of the programs is clearly important,the first priority lies in creating the connectionin the first place. What we hope to do is togive them (the young people) the tools to turntheir dreams and aspirations to practical use the tools and the contacts, she says.

The need for actionThe opportunities engendered by engaging

directly with Israel in Israel are the firststep in building a solid foundation for re-en-ergizing the next generation, says Kaufman.What is hoped is that when they return totheir homelands, whether in the United Statesor South America or Russia or wherever, thatthey will have the networking contacts andthe confidence to become a part of their com-munity, and to serve their community produc-tively, she adds.

It is fair to observe that there has been asense of foreboding concerning the attitudeof young Jews towards community life forsome time. Tangible connections between

hree decades is a lengthy period of time to dedicate to Jewish leadership. But first-and experience has shown Arlene Kaufman, the international co-chair of the Masarael Committee of the Jewish Agency, just how important it is to nurture the youngeneration and to convince them to take up the mantle of Jewish leadership W Akin Ajayi

I think what separates successful leaders from the rest, is how well they listen to those they wantto help, and how they respond once they understand the needs of the community.

Alex Kadis, 23, Ohio, Building Future Leadership participant, Masa Israel program: Otzma

Creating the connection

ArleneKaufman


young Jews and Israel have become less ob-vious, even at times strained, in recent years.However, these concerns have built up to al-most crisis point in recent years, and Kaufmanadvocates the need for drastic action.

The emotional and psychological engage-ment is waning, along with our memory of theHolocaust, she suggests. The dissipation of this sense of identity is not merely the conse-quence of a capacity to put behind the terriblememories of 60 odd years ago; the real fearis that this apathy will extend beyond the in-ternal strength of Jewish communities in theDiaspora, to a fundamental schism betweenthe Diaspora and Israel itself.

There are no real feelings about why thestate of Israel is important, Kaufman says.In the years before 9/11, there were evenarguments that the Anti-Defamation Leaguewas no longer relevant. But now, this genera-tion is beginning to feel real anti-Semitism forthe first time. We feel in danger, given what isgoing on in the world, and this is somethingthat is mirrored in a real sense of the fragilityof Israel itself.

Generation gapWhile she is careful to note that she is

speaking specifically about the AmericanJewish community, Kaufman pinpoints thebeginning of this change to the generationbehind her, those now in their mid-forties andolder. Precisely because this cohort never feltdiscriminated against or threatened because of their Jewish identity, the importance of com-munity life was no longer a priority. Identitywas fading, and people of this generation didnot know or care about Jewish identity, she

notes. They did not care about Israel; it wjust a place where Jews lived. For those wdid understand, the connection was strong; for those who didnt, the connection was lstrong.

Regarding this generational gap, Kaufmacknowledges that what has been lost canbe regained. If you look at Jewish commnity activism, you will see that many of major donors are in their 50s and older. This a whole missing generation. But far mimportant is ensuring that the tide is reverbefore it becomes too late. That is why Mand Birthright are so important, she affirm

It is one thing to facilitate opportunfor young Jews to strengthen their identof course, but quite another to ensure that tnew found energy is directed productiveKaufman strongly believes that it is for egeneration to seek for themselves how besbe of service, rather than to have themseldictated to by their forebears. They havefigure it out for themselves, she says. Wthey return from Israel, in all likelihood tlocal communities will not know what towith them. It is, she suggests, for them to termine how best they can serve. They hato shape their own destinies.

This brings to mind another traditiotension, one of differing objectives and viepoints between different generation grouKaufman is refreshingly candid on this poDifferences of opinion are natural, she opinwhat is important is the underlying inteMasa will help them to take up this slPerhaps it will not be as we might have antpated, but thats OK. The important thing isensure that there is ultimately continuity.

What is hoped is thatwhen they return to

their homelands, whetherin the US or South Americaor Russia or wherever,that they will have thenetworking contacts andthe confidence to becomea part of their community,and to serve theircommunities productively

service to us jewry

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Young American Jewson a Masa Young Judaeaprogram in Israel


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The list of programs that the New York Jewish Federation supports is enormous both locally and in Israel. As befitsw York, the lis t is very diverse and includesigious organizations, synagogues, culturaloups, day schools, summer camps, econom-elief programs, psychological services and

uch more. Some of the Federations newestojects include a new initiative to supportwish families hit by the economic down-n, the Israeli Trauma Coalition, The Jewishaling and Hospice Alliance, and Edenlage Camp a new Jewish summer camp

upstate New York that mixes environmentalnsciousness with Jewish values.

sitive experiencesKurshan explains that the driving logic be-d the decision-making process for allocat-funds is a firm belief in quality and access.

e key to improving, increasing and sustain-Jewish identity is through enhancing the

ality of Jewish programs. If somebody hasquality Jewish experience, they feel morennected. When they have a positive experi-ce, they feel more connected. And if they

feel more connected, they will be leaders. Itis about helping them feel more connectedacross both time and space. By time I meanto their Jewish history and to contemporaryJewish issues, and by space I mean both toother Jews and to Israel, she says.

The Federation is also committed to pro-viding diverse options. That is why the NewYork Federation supports a wide varietyof different Jewish programs: Jewish dayschools, summer camps, synagogues, cul-tural events and groups, and so on. Not ev-eryone will want to study in a yeshiva, but forthose who do, we need to provide them witha quality program for it. Not everyone willwant to take a year to go to Israel to exploretheir professional career options, but again, if they do, they should have quality options todo so, she explains.

The Federation also strives to increaseaccess to Jewish programs and events.Access plays a crucial role, says Kurshan.Essentially, if we provide quality programsand wide access, people feel connected. Thatmeans theyll be committed and may becomeleaders. We have trouble defining what leader-

ship is exactly, but we do know that the firstthing that we need is to help people feel con-nected and thats done by diverse and acces-sible quality programs.

Long-term visitsThe need to support quality and meaning-

ful experiences leads Kurshan to firmly be-lieve in the importance of Masa and otherlong-term programs in Israel. I will be veryclear about this; I think that every visit toIsrael, especially a long-term visit, is veryimportant in order to increase ones commit-ment and Jewish identity.

A long-term visit allows you to encounterIsraeli society, meet people, learn the lan-guage, experience Israeli culture and ask toughquestions. Basically, it gives you the chance to

lisa Rubin Kurshan, a Jewish educator by training, ise Senior Vice President of the UJA-Federation of Nework for Strategic Planning and Organizational Resources.he believes that American Jews must strengtheneir Jewish identity by reinforcing their connection torael through both trips and education W Gaya Polat

The beginningof a new era

A leader is someone who can take charge in difficult, or not so difficult, circumstances,remains positive, can see the big picture of their actions as well as the end goal, and hasthe ability to communicate well with people they are working with.

Whitney Frost, 22, Virginia, Building Future Leadership participant, Masa Israel program: Otzma

Alisa RubinKurshan


truly engage in Israels society in a meaning-ful way. Its not just a tour; its so much morethan that. In fact, I think that the importance of short-term visits such as Birthright is that theyencourage the second longer, more meaning-ful visit to Israel, she says firmly.

Its not surprising then, that the New York Federation allocates significant funding forscholarships to those who want to spend timein Israel at every level. Every trip is impor-tant, whether its a gap year program or a tripby a Jewish day school. Every trip is impor-tant for Jewish identity. Its good that thereis a wide variety of options for those whowant to come and that they have opportuni-ties to decide how they want to experience it.Some prefer after high school, some prefer toimprove their professional standing, some tostudy. Each one of those options is positive.And every trip is important, Kurshan notes.

Kurshan says that the understanding thatlong-term visits to Israel are important is sup-ported by evidence. We see the data comingto us from field research. We see who comesback and who is involved. Theres just nodoubt that long-term visits to Israel are im-portant at every age. Ill give you an example:

a couple of weeks ago, we had a committeemeeting here of highly distinguished Jewishleaders lawyers, Wall Street folks, entre-preneurs, bankers and from this group, fiveout of eight had spent a significant duration inIsrael. One of them during his speech specifi-cally mentioned his trip to Israel as dramati-cally changing his life, connecting him to hisJewish roots and helping him become a betterbanker.

The impact that a Masa program can haveis also seen in other ways, Kurshan says.Recently weve had more and more peoplewho come to us and say, look, Ive been on

Birthright, or Masa, and it changed my lNow I would like to work in the Jewish community. Or, if theyre employers who are hing, they would like to hire people whoalso done that. In that regard, and due to tincreasing amount of people going to Isrthrough Masa, I think it is the beginning onew era, that more young people are startito take control of their Jewish identity.

Educating about IsraelThis change is crucial in Kurshans ey

She recognizes that there are several imptant challenges currently facing AmericJews, specifically the growing assimilatand the weakening commitment to Israel aJudaism.

I think that the relationship between NoAmerican Jews and Israel is not that easy, trivial. It is not at all a given, she asserts. Isomething that we must work on. We need work hard to forge those relations. I think thwe American Jews dont appreciate enouhow much we need Israel, and how importait is to us. I think that there is a lack of sficient knowledge about Israel here in NoAmerica, even in our own institutions, so tmany people are hearing around those wchallenge the legitimacy of the Jewish stawithout having enough knowledge and htory, without knowing enough about the othside of the debate to understand the ramifictions.

In light of this situation, Kurshan beliethat emphasizing Israel in the AmericJewish education system should be a top priity, but she makes a distinction between Israhasbara and Israeli knowledge. We dnitely need to work on our Israeli knowledgHowever, she adds, I also think that Israedont always appreciate us enough, and homuch they need us. But I think that the Isragovernments recent decision to help subdize Masa is a step in the right direction.

Kurshan recognizesthat there are several

important challengescurrently facing AmericanJews, specifically thegrowing assimilation andthe weakening commitmentto Israel and Judaism


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The tension between the Talmudic im-perative of aniyei ircha kodmim (yourtowns poor come first) and the call to tikkun olam bemalchut shadai (repairworld under Gods sovereignty) is increas-ly the subject of an ongoing debate among

wish leaders. The universalists believet, as Jews, it is our duty and moral responsi-ity to extend a helping hand to all those whoin need of our assis tance around the world,matter what their r eligion may be. We mustke every effort to reach out to them throughancial support, philanthropic projects ornds-on volunteer work. According to thesekun olam devotees, Jewish individuals and

ganizations should come to the aid of hun-y children in Africa, earthquake survivorsHaiti and flood victims in New Orleans orngladesh.On the other hand, particularists claimt the foremost priority of the Jewish es-lishment should be to help fellow Jews.cording to this view, there are plenty of

ws and Jewish institutions in distress somethem in our own communities and Jewsould first of all take care of their own peoplefore seeking to help poor and needy non-ws on the other side of the world or even inir own city.

arfur and HaitiMany proponents of universalism (or tik-n olam repairing the world) believe thatws have a moral duty towards the non-Jewishrld. Elana Maryles Sztokman, a writer,

ucator and researcher, says that social illsch as poverty and homelessness, as well asbal crises such as the recent genocide in

Darfur, challenge the Jewish community tostand up and assist fellow human beings. TheJewish heritage is in fact replete with man-dates to convey compassion towards non-Jewsas an expression of the Jewish Peoples mis-sion from God. She believes that the essenceof Jewish culture and tradition is a universalethic of care and compassion.

Many advocates of tikkun olam say thatwhen Jews help non-Jews, theyre actu-ally strengthening their own Jewish identity.Indeed, many Jews today do not feel a verystrong connection to their heritage, and they

frequently care much more about the plightof needy Haitians or Somalians than they doabout elderly Holocaust survivors in the Bronxor underprivileged children in Israeli devel-opment towns. Rachel Liel, the ExecutiveDirector of the New Israel Fund in Israel,maintains that Jewish funders are channelingmore resources to non-Jewish causes becausethe Jewish establishment is striving to har-ness the idealism of young Jews by provid-

ing opportunities for them, as Jews and withJews, to engage in universal social action.Tikkun olam is therefore a promising andJewish way to keep disaffected young Jewsfrom opting out of Jewish life, she asserts. Inother words, if Jews become involved in tik-kun olam through a Jewish organization, thatis actually a great way to draw them closer tothe Jewish world and, indirectly, to their dor-mant Jewish identity.

Ruth W. Messinger is the president of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), aninternational human rights organization thatworks to alleviate poverty, hunger and dis-ease in the developing world. In her opinion,when individuals commit themselves to jus-tice, tzedakah and compassionate action glob-ally; and when they are given the framework for understanding these endeavors as part of their essential obligation as Jews, somethingelse happens as well. The satisfaction of mitz-vah is contagious. And thus do compassionateglobal works expand the soul, deepen onessense of responsibility and bring into sharperfocus the Divinity resident within the world.Such are the ingredients for binding people totheir fellow humans and fellow Jews alike.

Ari Hart, co-founder of Uri LTzedek:Orthodox Social Justice, summarizes thisuniversalist view succinctly: actions whichappear to be thoroughly non-Jewish can besources of tremendous Jewish import, mean-ing and connection to Jewish Peoplehood,he says.

Israeli philanthropyIn arguing for the legitimization of their

priorities, universalists can point to the highly

s Jews, where should our priorities lie? Shoulde focus our resources on supporting fellow

o-religionists who are in need? Or should wedopt a more universal approach, reaching outall those who are in distress regardless ofeir religion and nationality? W Rebecca Kopans

Tikkun olamvs. Jews first

A food line in Haiti after the earthquake

AP


lauded and impressive philanthropic missionscarried out by the state of Israel on numerousoccasions. Despite the fact that Israel is a coun-try with more than enough problems of its own,the government rarely misses an opportunity tooffer assistance to other countries.

After having provided emergency aid to di-saster victims in Argentina, Armenia, Russia,Rwanda, Bosnia and other nations, a perma-nent humanitarian and emergency aid unitwas established in 1995 by Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israel Defense Forces.Since then, the unit has carried out opera-tions in Kenya, Albania, Macedonia, Mexico,Afghanistan, Poland, Congo, Vietnam andmany other countries. Following the terribleearthquake in Haiti in January 2010, the Israelirescue team was the first to set up a field hos-pital and received international recognition forits extraordinarily professional and successfulefforts treating the victims.

Israeli hospitals, doctors and medi-cal organizations are also actively en-gaged in philanthropic projects havingto do with providing free medical ser-vices to the worlds most needy. Israelieye surgeons regularly volunteer totravel to remote Third World locations

to operate on the local population. Anotherprogram brings children with heart defectsfrom poor countries some of which are offi-cially at war with Israel to an Israeli hospitalfor complicated life-saving procedures. Andthere are many more examples.

Although it would be cynical to accusethe Israeli government of undertaking thesephilanthropic missions purely for public re-lations purposes, lets not be naive. Israelsimage around the world could certainly usesome polishing and there is no doubt that abit of positive publicity is always beneficialfor Israel. Indeed, each Haitian child andCambodian heart patient treated by an Israelimedical team will most likely think twice be-fore adopting an anti-Israel political view.

Aiding fellow JewsDespite the trendiness of tikkun olam as the

politically correct catchphrase in many Jewishcircles these days, not everyone agrees withthis set of priorities. After all, it is estimatedthat there are nearly 350,000 poor and near-poor Jews in the New York area alone, whilein the Former Soviet Union there are hundredsof thousands of Jews in critical need of help,representing enormous humanitarian chal-lenges in terms of basic welfare and sustain-ability.

However, according to Jack Wertheimer,professor of American Jewish History at theJewish Theological Seminary, surveys provethat big Jewish givers channel the bulk of theirphilanthropic giving to nonsectarian causes such as universities, museums and hospi-tals and only a small percentage to aid fel-low Jews. Why has this universalist approachbecome the most common model of philan-thropy, especially among the more liberal andprogressive American Jews? Why cant this

interest in repairing the world be ex-tended to aiding fellow Jews?

According to Wertheimer, pro-ponents of tikkun olam express

great confidence in the sufficiencyof resources in the Jewish commu-nity to address all needs but that

assumption is incorrect. Another rationaltion claims that young Jews do not want to bothered with their fellow Jews. If we areattract anyone outside the committed cthey argue, programs must direct young Jeto nonsectarian causes, bearing out the trof Cynthia Ozicks dead-on observation tuniversalism is the parochialis m of the Jewexplains Wertheimer, adding that, as a resulthese erroneous notions, an entire set of ornizations under Jewish auspices now seekrally Jews to help everyone except their oco-religionists.

Wertheimer suggests that philanthropcould create a Jewish Service Corps with mission of sending volunteers to Jewish comunities in the United States and around world where poverty, inadequate Jewish ecation and social problems exist. After woing in a service program aiding Jews in Former Soviet Union, a volunteer expresamazement that in all her years in a Jewday school, she had never heard about poJews who require help. With some knoedge, idealistic young Jews will discover they do not have to trek around the globefind human beings living in poverty; all thhave to do is look in their own communitiesfind Jews trying to make ends meet and wcould benefit from their help.

Balancing the responsibilityOf course there is no clear answer to

question of how enlightened Jews in the 2century should contend with the issue of viding the tzedaka pie. Dr. Shlomi Ravidexpert on Jewish Peoplehood and editor of tPeoplehood Papers, describes the dilemmahaving to balance the responsibility for onown with the need to address the pain of oers in remote places of the world.

Ravid accurately points out that the chlenge is not to rule that needy Jews are really the responsibility of Jews, or thatkun olam is but a trend for spoiled weaJews. The challenge is to address both mands and do it in accordance with a Jewsense of justice. W

An entire set oforganizations

under Jewish auspicesnow seeks to rally Jewsto help everyone excepttheir own co-religionists

My idea of leadership is being committed to change andgaining support by both acting and speaking.

Alexis Wojtowicz, 18, New Jersey, Building Future Leadership participant, Young Judaea

Preparing foodpackages in Israel priorto the Passover holiday

Alon Ron


15/19

Skill Development WorkShopS

W Community InnovationLearn to use social media to move people andchange the world (PresenTense)Envisioning a brighter future together! As young professionals,your network is growing and you are equipped to bea leader. This track will give you the tools you need totake an active role in building the Jewish community of the future. Optimized for post-college participants.

W Campus EntrepreneurshipHow you can transform your campus usingcutting-edge tools (PresenTense)Mobilize and unite: the power of collective action. Asyou enter the exciting years of college life, how do youtake advantage of the tools you have on campus? Thistrack will give you the resources necessary to organize acommunity around Jewish values and the causes you aremost passionate about. Optimized for gap year students.

W Key Skills for EntrepreneurshipLearn business tools to help you launch the start-upyouve dreamed about launching (PresenTense)Implement your vision and impact your community. Havean idea? Passionate about social change? Want to makea difference? This track will give you the introduction toactualize your vision of an empowered Jewish community.Optimized for aspiring social entrepreneurs.

W Interpersonal CommunicationPublic Speaking, Persuasion and Conveyinga Message (Debate Team)Interpersonal communication skills and the ability to delivera message effectively have never been more crucial all themore so for those holding positions of leadership. The objectiveof this course is to substantially enhance the participantscommunication skills as well as their understanding of the Black Box of interpersonal communication andpersuasion. The training will consist of various learning unitsof Persuasion Techniques, Message Delivery and PublicSpeaking. These techniques have been in use all over theworld for decades, in the political, business and academicarenas. Training will include hands-on practicing of the toolstaught, using simulations of real life scenarios. Optimizedfor gap year students and post-college participants.

W F Vision to RealityHow to Create an Effective Project UsingManagement Approach Techniques (Debate Team)During this training seminar, a set of insights and tools will bepresented and taught all relating to management approaches.The training will be conducted at a fast pace, and will includeindividual and group simulations alongside highly interactivepresentations all meant to facilitate practical internalizationof the material and insights presented. A first draft outlineof the participants vision and an initial outline of milestones,identified during this session, will be a take-away resource.Optimized for gap year students and post-college participants.


SUnDAy, MARCH 6TH

W 9:00-12:00 Arrival Judaean Youth HostelW 12:00-14:00 Registration and LunchW 14:00-14:45 Meeting in sub groupsand check in to roomsW 14:45-15:15 Opening Remarks: AyeletShiloh-Tamir, CEO, Masa Israel; Avi Steinberg,Education Director, Masa IsraelW 15:15-16:15 The 5-Legged Table Jewish Identity in the 21st CenturyAvraham Infeld, President Emeritus of Hillel International.Avraham Infeld is the founder and director of a successionof innovative educational institutions, and serves asPresident Emeritus of Hillel International. Mr. Infeld was thefirst Director of Taglit-Birthright Israel and led the planningprocess for this innovative and transformative program.

W 16:15-16:45 Break and MinchaW 16:45-17:45 Group activitiesW 17:45-18:30 Transformational Leadership,in groupsW 18:30-19:45 Free time to prepare for galaW 19:45-20:30 Depart for GalaW 20:30-23:00 Evening Gala, Ramat RachelHotel. In the presence of:Mr. Natan Sharansky, Chairman of theExecutive of the Jewish AgencyMr. Zvi Hauser, Cabinet SecretaryMr. Aaron Abramovich, Chair of Masa Israel JourneyMs. Ayelet Shiloh-Tamir, CEO of Masa Israel

W 23:00 Depart Ramat Rachel Hoteland return to youth hostel

m a r c h 6 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 1JeruSalem, JuDaean Youth hoStel

Daily Schedule


Monday, March 7th

W 7:15-8:00 Optional morning activities/ services: Orthodox service, Egalitarian service,Yoga, Text study, Morning exerciseW 7:30-8:45 BreakfastW 9:00-9:30 Depart for Yad VashemW 9:30-12:30 Yad VashemThe Masa Israel and Yad Vashem joint initiative aims to empowerleaders on Masa Israel programs in order to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive in their native communities. The Day Seminarwill focus on the topic of Leadership during the Holocaustand its Ramifications on Young Leadership Today. Groups willattend lectures by experts and conduct comprehensive toursof the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum, the LearningCenter and the wider Yad Vashem campus. Throughout theday, Masa Israel leaders will be involved in discussions aboutLeadership during the Holocaust, and how the actions of thoseleaders can positively impact young Jewish leadership today.

W 12:30-13:00 Return to Judaean Youth HostelW 13:00-14:00 LunchW 14:00-15:00 Group discussionsW 15:00-16:00 Break and MinchaW 16:00-19:00 Skill Development Workshops(Pre-assigned, see description at left)W 19:00-19:45 DinnerW 19:45-20:30 Break and MaarivW 20:30-22:00 Open Space with ROIOpen Space Technology is a meeting style that allowsyou to determine the agenda by identifying the topicsthat are most important to you for discussion. Used bythousands of organizations across the world, Open Spaceputs the content and the management of group discussionsdirectly into the hands of the participants ina dynamic and engaging fashion.

W 22:00-23:00 Optional: Whats Next?Opportunities with Masa Israel inNorth America (Room D)Learn how to tell your story, get inside informationabout internships on campus, and discover ways in whichto bring your Masa Israel experience back to your homecommunity!

tuesday, March 8th

W 7:30-8:00 Optional: Services / Morning activitiesW 7:30-8:45 BreakfastW 9:00-14:00 Special Interest Day (Pre-assigned):W Israel Engagement (Makom)What happens when the dream of Zion becomes reality? Whatdoes it mean to be at home and to make a home? How do webuild Israel engagement that is about embracing Israels successes,contending with Israels challenges, and exploring Israels place inour own Jewish lives? How does the educational work at Makomopen up possibilities for a new conversation about engagingIsrael in Jewish communities around the world? Participants willexplore these questions through Israeli film and music (TomerHeymans Black Over White, The Idan Reichel Project).W Hasbara / Israel Advocacy (ICC & Kol Voice Seminars)Why is it necessary for young leaders to be involved and care?What does being pro-Israel mean and how can we be involvedin a meaningful and proactive way? The aim of this training is tobring participants up to speed on the key issues in Israel and theMiddle East today, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict andnegotiations, Iran, protests across the Middle East, Gaza andmore. The session will focus on what the big issues are and howwe talk about them as pro-Israel activists. Emphasis includes: whyit is important to be engaged, the big debates around how to doactivism today (using case studies such as AIPAC vs. JStreet inthe US and speeches from the Herzliya Conference this year) andthe Seven Principles of Israel Advocacy. Exercises and simulationswill benefit participants and allow them to develop their creativethinking and help frame their involvement in pro-Israel activism.W Social Justice and Tikkun Olam (Bemaaglei Tzedek)What does it mean to be a social activist from theory to practice?Join Bemaaglei Tzedek (Circles of Justice), an Israeli social changeorganization, as we explore this definition together. Meet withleading Israeli social justice activists, get a taste of the critical workbeing done by Bemaaglei Tzedek, experience first hand handicap-accessibility and workers rights successes, as well as the relevanceof these contemporary issues to Jewish values and tradition.W Jewish Peoplehood (Partnerships Division)How do we come together from different countries, backgroundsand social classes to focus on our common shared Jewishvalues and identity? Partnership 2000 invites you to a half dayof unique engagement with locals from our Mate Yehuda-BeitShemesh-Washington-South Africa P2K region in Israel. See first-hand the school twinning program between 10 different schoolsfrom 3 continents. Later on enjoy a City Quest in downtownBeit Shemesh where you will get to know first-hand the localsquesting for the Jewish value of Kol Israel Chaverim findingcommon traditions between the two sides of the ocean.

W 14:30-17:30 Free time. Optional:Visit to the Israel MuseumW 18:00-19:00 Dinner and MaarivW 19:00-20:15 Group discussionsW 20:30-22:00 Young Leaders PanelMeet young Israeli entrepreneurs and change makers:Aharon Horwitz Co-Director PresenTense Group, OfirFisher Co-Founder of the OR Movement, Pnina Gaday Director of Hillel at Tel Aviv University, and an IDF officer.W 22:00 Optional: Israeli dancing (Rikudey Am)


16/19


Post College participantsW 7:00-7:30 Optional: Services / Morning activitiesW 7:30-8:45 BreakfastW 9:00-10:00 Vision and VentureBefore a social entrepreneur can go out and launch a venturethat changes the world, he or she needs to identify what in theworld is broken, and then how the world will look like once itis fixed, and why the venture theyre proposing will make thatshift happen. Visioning, when structured correctly, can be avery powerful process that will set up the rest of the venture.

W 10:15-11:45 Tools in Israel AdvocacyDeepening your independent analytical abilities regardingcurrent conflict related issues in a way that will also allow youto deal with future issues that might be new to the conflict,but that nevertheless contain fundamental elements which areinherently dealt with by the Seven Principles of Israel Advocacy.The principles will enable the activists who learn to use themeffectively to take on any anti-Israel natured question.

W 12:00-13:00 Breakout Session by Country:France Ariel Kendel, North America Prof GilTroy, FSU Shlomo Neeman, Europe NogaOz, Latin America Jack DrassinowerW 13:00-15:00 Lunch, Break and MinchaW 15:00-18:00 Skill Development

Workshops (see page 28)W 18:00-19:00 Dinner and MaarivW 19:00-20:00 Group discussionsW 20:30 Optional: Karaoke, Benji Lovitt Standup Comedy: Life in Israel, MijalBen Dori Israeli music workshop

Wednesday, MarCh 9th

Gap year participantsW 6:30-7:00 Optional ServicesW 7:00 Leave for Neot KedumimW 8:00-13:00 Activities at Neot Kedumim (ODT)Neot Kedumim, The Center for Leadership and Team Building,specializes in Outdoor Training (ODT) activities. The centerintegrates the subjects of leadership, management, teamwork and organizational behavior to the richness of Israelsnature and to Jewish content and resources. These activitiescreate situations in which the participants are asked to proveleadership skills, motivate others, manage projects, plan,activate teams and solve problems, all while being efficient,effective and creative. The Masa Israel Seminar in Neot Kedumimwill ta

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