IT WAS THE BEST 6 WEEKSOF MY LIFE. (JOSHUA H) A once in a life-time opportunity

This program has been designed specifi cally for students who are attending any public or private school outside of the Jewish Day Schools (as these schools each have their own programs). This trip is an opportunity for teenagers to visit in a well-structured, modern educational setting where they can explore, embrace and experience more than they could ever have imagined. Together they will live and breathe the culture, history and magic of Israel.

Students will depart towards the end of the school year and return in January.

This program has widespread support, both from the Jewish community and school principals.

Youth 2 Israel $5,000 vouchers Youth 2 Israel (Y2i) grants $5,000 vouchers to every Year 10 student from NSW / ACT / QLD with at least one Jewish parent, to make participation in approved Israel-based educational programs, affordable.

The Y2i vouchers are made possible through the generosity of communal donors who understand the role of these programs in fostering the continuity of our local Jewish community.

Y2i is supported by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, JCA, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, JNF and UIA NSW.

Additional means tested funding is also available, for those who require further support.

Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) AMHSI will continue their long association of operating programs for Australian students, from various schools. Established in 1972, AMHSI has been pioneering the academic and experiential study of Israel and Jewish history at the high school level. Students are inspired to live outside their books, encounter new ideas and challenge themselves to fi nd their own link within the chain of Jewish continuity.

Based in Hod HaSharon, the campus can cater for over 250 students to participate in an immersive experience through informal encounters with Israelis, exposing students to the local culture, language, and environment, as HELPED ME CONNECT well as providing them with a place to call home. Students also enjoy WITH MY independence within a structured JEWISH system, developing learning and leadership skills while forming friendships and making memories ROOTS that last a lifetime. AND MADE JUDAISM Hod HaSharon is a typical, mainstream, non-tourist town located MORE MEANINGFUL TO ME AND MY LIFE. north of . Shops, cafes, (SIMONE C ) Western and Israeli eateries, friendly residents and shopkeepers, help students feel at home. There is also a pharmacy, supermarket and a bakery. These shops are within walking AMHSI campus distance of the campus.

1 2 Examples of activities in Israel...

Classroom Learning Religious/Festival Focus Volunteer Projects Community Day

Students spend some time in a dynamic classroom All levels and streams of Jewish knowledge and The act of giving is an important part of Participants in this program will join with students environment, learning about Judaism, the Jewish observance are accommodated. The program aims Judaism, so students are given the opportunity from Emanuel School, Masada College and Moriah people and Israel. to connect students with their own Jewish identity to participate and experience the following: College for a day of activities. as they experience different types of Jewish Topics include: services and participate in Jewish festivals. WIZO Youth Villages This includes: The Crusaders The Institute Friday night Shabbat prayers Jewish Mysticism Packing Chanukah gifts for Program Outline underprivileged children The Geography of Israel Modern Orthodox style Shabbat in Jerusalem Aims Afterschool Learning Centre for Torah: Traditional and Modernist Views Shabbat and Havdalah celebrations disadvantaged children in Tel Aviv • To strengthen the students’ ties to Israel, the land, and dancing in Tzfat the people and Judaism. Archaeology and the Tanach Lifeline for the Old Celebrating Chanukah with students • To foster awareness about Israel and develop a from all over the world Yad LaKashish connection to the global Jewish community. Herzl & Zionist movements • To familiarise students with Israeli History, Working in JNF forests and visiting Singing and dancing at the Kotel Geography, Society and Culture. IDF their projects around Israel • To strengthen students’ Jewish consciousness, Holocaust: the Rise of Nazism, History of Jewish mysticism and Visit to Dialogue in the Dark commitment and values. Jewish Persecution, the Warsaw Ghetto, Kabbalah in Tzfat (the blind museum in ) Capturing Eichmann, Holocaust Denial, • To explore the students’ past in order to plan Emancipation Carlebach egalitarian style Shabbat in Eilat Serving and making food for the needy for the future.

The First Aliyah and those that followed • To connect students with their own Jewish community.

War of Independence This program has been designed to fulfi l these aims and will place this learning in the very real Israeli Advocacy with the David Project and exciting context of Israel. The scope of the program will include morning, afternoon and evening daily activities. Activities are carefully David Ben Gurion and the Negev planned to provide students with a vast and substantial array of experiences. Balfour Declaration Following is a sample program, the sequence of inclusions is subject to change. The Arab Israel Confl ict

The Israeli Government

3 4 WEEK 1 Jerusalem: Mt Scopus, Tour around Hod Hasharon, I FEEL MORE CONNECTED Gezer, Gilboa, swim at Sachne, Mt Scopus (Jerusalem), WITH MY Haas Promenade, Sataf, City of David, Jerusalem Markets, Kotel, Jerusalem walking tour JEWISH HERITAGE. I HAVE MADE FRIENDS THAT I KNOW WILL LAST A LIFETIME. (MAX K)

I HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER DESIRE

TO GO BACK AND WEEK 2 FINISH EXPLORING Israel Museum, Herodian House, Bet Guvrin, Tel Goded Belvoir, Hamat Gader, AND LEARNING Tzfat synagogues and artists, ABOUT MY CULTURE. Tzfat, Kabbalah lesson, Caesarea (CLEO F)

5 6 THE PROGRAM IS PRESENTED TO STUDENTS AT A CRITICAL AGE IN THEIR LIFE. IT IS THE AGE WHERE TEENAGERS START TO BECOME AWARE OF WHO THEY ARE …YOU CAN LEARN AS A PERSON. AND BECOME A BETTER (TALIA B) SO MUCH PERSON BECAUSE OF IT. (BROCK R)

WEEK 4 WEEK 3 Volunteering with the elderly, Holocaust studies, Yad Vashem, Y2i Community Day, Neve Tzedek, Journey to the Arava, Qumeran, Nahal Bokek, Hula Valley, Tel Chai, Ma’aleh Bokek Masada, Ein Gedi, Open Shabbat (students free to see relatives) Hirbet Midras, The Dead Sea

7 8 AT THIS AGE STUDENTS ARE FULLY ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL. IT’S A GOOD AGE TO BE EXPOSED TO IT (JORDAN S)

THE OPPORTUNITY GAVE MY SON AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE THAT WILL ENRICH HIS LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS (MARCELLE M)

WEEK 5 WEEK 6 Atlit beach and camp, Acco prison, Givat Haviva program, Ussefi ya Druze Rosh Hanikra, Machon Ayalon, program and dinner, Fruit picking, Latrun Camel riding, Bedouin experience, Katzrin, gamla, hike in Jilabun, Hike Big Fin, Sde Boker, Ben Gurion’s grave, Har Herzl Museum and cemetery Israel Advocacy Tel Aviv

9 10 Security The security of students in the number one priority of AMHSI.

The following precautions are taken:

1. In Israel, daily communication is in effect with appropriate authorities to receive relevant security information.

2. Student trips are accompanied by guards as currently required, under Israeli law, for all school groups.

3. AMHSI will change the itinerary, if necessary, to meet current security needs.

4. The campus is completely fenced with guards on duty as mandated by Israeli authorities.

5. Students must always check out and in with their counsellors. There are two counsellors assigned to each dormitory and they live in the dormitories with the students.

6. Upon arrival in Israel, students are given clear and strict instructions on security and emergency procedures.

7. In the event of any special circumstances, you will be kept updated with information as it becomes available.

The staff in Israel view security as the highest priority.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY.

Application Process 1. Complete the application form provided at the Information Night or email [email protected] or call (02) 8353 1612 for a form.

2. Interview process: Parent(s) and the participant will be required to www.youth2israel.org.au www.amhsi.org bje.org.au attend an interview prior to being accepted on the program.

PARTNERS