Afula Rick and ChildIsrael Trips

Missions to Israel
An Israel Mission can mean so many things to so many people - a dream vacation for some, a spiritual or social awakening for others. It can be the basis of a most meaningful B'nai Mitzvah Experience in Jerusalem or on Masada. It can be a call to adventure that must be answered or a life-changing, shared experience that can become the foundation for the rest of your life and for those you love.

  • Meet the People of Israel and in personal conversations, exchange of ideas and increase understanding
  • Make a personal connection with new immigrants
  • See first hand the programs and services funded through Federation campaign dollars
  • Experience the awesome beauty of the land with excellent tour guides
  • Meet and bond with other mission participants from our Greater New Haven community

Missions provide opportunities for families to spend time with one another in a new, exciting context (special programs subsidize a B'nai Mitzvah child traveling with his / her family). They provide a rare opportunity for singles to meet within the context of 5,000 years of Jewish history.

Israel ExperiencesUJC logo

UJU missionsLearn More Now!
National and local missions designed for people of all ages and all interests are available throughout the year.
Click to learn about current and future UJC missions.
To speak to someone about upcoming missions, contact the Mission Coordinator at 203 387-2424 or email.

Teen Israel Experiences
The Israel Desk enhances current connections to Israel and encourages new connections by providing a reservoir of information on a wide range of teen travel and group trips to Israel. The programs range from two weeks to yearlong academic, social, art, environmental, archaeological, agricultural and fun programs. The desk helps students and their families choose programs best suited to their needs. The department is also engaged in ongoing programming that enhances the centrality of Israel in the lives of MAKOM students as well as other Jewish youth in the Greater New Haven area, including the Partnership 2000 and Young Emissary Program. For more information, contact 203 387-2424, or email.

There are a number of outstanding opportunities for teens & college students to visit, study, travel & connect with the living part of their Jewish heritage in Israel, as well as explore their history both in Israel, Europe, Africa & around the world.

Here are some of the organizations which run the summer, short term, academic and year long programs for 14-year olds to college grads:

For an overview of all programs: www.birthrightisrael.org & www.maven.org

Israel Aliyah Program Center: www.aliyah.org
Alexander Muss High School in Israel: www.amhsi.com
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization: www.bbyo2000.co.il
JCC Maccabi: www.jccmaccabix.org
Livnot u'lehibanot: www.livnot.org.il
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies: www.pardes.org.il
Tel Aviv University: www.tau.ac.il/overseas
Volunteers for Israel: www.vfi-usa.org
Kibbutz Program Center: www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org
WUJS Young Professionals Program: www.wujs-arad.org
Hebrew University Of Jerusalem: www.hebrewu.com
Ben Gurion University (Negev): www.bgu.ac.il
The Nesiya Institute: www.nesiya.org
National Council of Synagogue Youth (NCSY): www.yiyouth.org
National Federation of Temple Youth NFTY: www.nfty.org
Young Judaea: www.youngjudaea.org

Teen Israel Experience Savings Program
The TIES program was initiated to enable youth to travel to Israel. The Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven adds $200 per fiscal year to the family contribution of $300, for a maximum of eight years. Students become eligible for travel in the summer after their tenth-grade year of high school. The DJE help families choose from a wide range approved Israel experiences including Young Judea, Ramah, USY, NFTY, BBYO, Zionist youth groups, Nesiya, High School in Israel, and programs at Israeli universities. The TIES program is open to all Jewish children residing in Greater New Haven whose parent contributes to the UJA Federation Campaign of Greater New Haven For more information, contact 203 387-2424, or email the Israel Desk.

OTZMA
Become a Jewish leader or volunteer to make a difference in Israel. Otzma is a leadership development fellowship designed to offer young Jewish adults the opportunity to live and volunteer in Israel in a variety of settings for 10 months.The program also features an important educational component designed to give young adults a better understanding of Israeli society by working along with Israeli professionals.

Project OTZMA www.projectotzma.org
United Synagogues (Ramah): www.ramah.org.il
USYHIGH: www.usy.org
Shorashim www.shorashim.org

March of the LivingMarch of the Living
Bi-annually, the DJE organizes a once-in-a-lifetime experience bringing teenagers from our area to Auschwitz-Birkenau to participate in the 3 kilometer March of the Living with 6000 Jewish Youth from around the world on Yom Hashoah. After a week in Poland, students travel to Israel to celebrate the rebirth of Israel and participate in Yom Ha'atzmaut. A transformative, unforgettable two weeks. For more information, contact 203 387-2424, or email the Israel Desk.