“BY FAR THE BEST 5 WEEKS OF MY LIFE.” (SHANIE A) A once in a life -

This program has been designed specifically 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 an approved Israel-based educational program 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 find their own link, within the chain of Jewish continuity.

Based in Hod HaSharon, the campus can cater for over 250 students, who participate in an immersive experience through informal encounters with Israelis, exposing students to the local culture, language, and environment, as well as providing them with a place to call home. Students also enjoy independence within a structured system, developing learning and leadership skills, while forming friendships and making memories that last a lifetime.

Hod HaSharon is a typical mainstream non-tourist town, located north of . Shops, cafes, Western and Israeli eateries, friendly residents and shopkeepers, help students feel at home. There is also a pharmacy, supermarket and AMHSI campus a bakery. These shops are within walking distance of the campus.

1 - time opportunity

“FROM THE MINUTE WE LANDED, I INSTANTLY FELT AT HOME EVEN THOUGH I COULDN’T SPEAK HEBREW” (MAX B)

2 Examples of activities in Israel...

Workshops Religious/Festival Focus Students spend some time in a dynamic All levels and streams of Jewish classroom environment, learning about knowledge and observance are Judaism, the Jewish people and Israel. accommodated. The program aims to connect students with their own Jewish Topics include: identity, as they experience different types of Jewish services, and participate in Jewish festivals.

The Crusaders This includes:

Jewish Mysticism

The Geography of Israel Friday night Shabbat prayers

Torah: Traditional and Modernist Views Modern Orthodox style Shabbat in Jerusalem

Archaeology and the Tanach Shabbat and Havdalah celebrations and dancing in Tzfat Herzl & Zionist movements

Celebrating Chanukah with students IDF from all over the world

Holocaust: the Rise of Nazism, Jewish Persecution, the Warsaw Ghetto, Singing and dancing at the Kotel Capturing Eichmann, Holocaust Denial, Emancipation

The First Aliyah and those who followed

War of Independence

Israeli Advocacy with the David Project

David Ben Gurion and the Negev

Balfour Declaration

The Arab Israel Conflict

The Israeli Government

3 Examples of activities in Israel...

Volunteer Projects Community Day

The act of giving is an important part Participants in this program will join with of Judaism, so students are given students from Emanuel School, Masada the opportunity to participate and College and Moriah College for a day of experience the following: activities.

WIZO Youth Villages

The Institute

Packing Chanukah gifts for Program Outline underprivileged children Aims Afterschool Learning Centre for disadvantaged children in Tel Aviv • To strengthen the students’ ties to Israel, the land, the people and Judaism. Lifeline for the Old • To foster awareness about Israel and develop a Yad LaKashish connection to the global Jewish community.

• To familiarise students with Israeli History, Working in JNF forests and visiting Geography, Society and Culture. their projects around Israel • To strengthen students’ Jewish consciousness, Visit to Dialogue in the Dark commitment and values. (the blind museum in ) • To explore the students’ past, in order to plan for the future. Serving and making food for the needy • To connect students with their own Jewish community.

Based on these aims, the program has been specifically designed, so that the participant gains an understanding of Israel, in a very real and exciting context. The scope of the program will include morning, afternoon and evening activities, which are carefully planned to provide students with a vast array of experiences.

4 “I HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER DESIRE TO GO BACK AND FINISH EXPLORING AND LEARNING ABOUT MY CULTURE.” (CLEO F)

Hod Hasharon campus & neighbourhood. Gilboa - hiking, spectacular scenery, Hidden Valley, swim at Sachne. Jerusalem - Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Kotel, light show at Migdal David.

5 “WHAT I DID IN ISRAEL WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE I’VE HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE” (NATHAN M)

Blind Museum, Kefar Saba - KKL Biofilter Jerusalem - Israel Museum, Herodian House, pics at the Kotel, Qumran caves. Masada - climb and watch the sun rise, Ein Bokek, and float in the Dead Sea. Beit Guvrin region - explore the Amphitheatre, crawl the caves in Hirbet Madras, and dig in the ruins of Burgin

6 “…YOU CAN LEARN SO MUCH AND BECOME A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE OF IT.” (BROCK R)

Y2i Community Day. Northern Israel - Belvoir Crusader Fortess, Hamat Gader (enjoy the spas), Tzfat - artists, old synagogues and a Kabbalah lesson. Beit Hashomer, stroll at Tel Dan, Ohalo Cemetery.

7 “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 AS A PERSON.” (TALIA B)

Jerusalem - Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, basketball game. Tel Aviv - Yaffo, Shuk Hapishpeshim, Nahalat Binyamin. Gadna, Hike, Cultura. Haifa region, Atilt beach and camp, Beit Oren hike.

8 “ISRAEL FOUND THE KEY AND UNLOCKED MY JEWISH IDENTITY IT FULFILLED ME WITH HAPPINESS, FRIENDS AND PROVIDED ME WITH THIS. NOW, IT’S MY TIME TO PROVIDE FOR ISRAEL” (JOSHUA D)

Gilat Haviva, Daliyat el Carmel, Ussefiya Druze dinner Visit Ben Gurion’s home and grave, enjoy camel riding and a Beduoin feast Visit Magen David Adom and Beit Halochem Southern Israel - experience desert cooking and life in the Arava, Holot Kasui, Har Tzfahot, enjoy the Red Sea at Eilat Hula Valley, Tel Chai

9 “THE OPPORTUNITY GAVE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES THAT WILL ENRICH HIS LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS” (MARCELLE M)

Golan Heights - lookout to Lebanon from Kibbutz Misgav, Tel Faher - Six Day War, Mount Bental, bike riding at Agmon Hahula, tree planting Har Herzl Cemetery Farewell Dinner at Beit Shmuel

10 Security

The security of students is the number one priority of AMHSI. The following precautions are taken:

1.  In Israel, relevant security information is received daily from the appropriate authorities. 2. Under Israeli law, student trips are accompanied by guards, as currently required for all school groups. 3. AMHSI will change the itinerary, if necessary, to meet current security needs. 4. As mandated by Israeli authorities, the campus is completely fenced in, with guards on duty 5 . S t u d e n t s m u s t a l w a y s c h e c k i n a n d o u t w i t h t h e i r c o u n s e l l o r s w h e n l e a v i n g t h e i r d o r m i t o r i e s . Two counsellors are assigned to each dormitory, where they live 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, parents will be kept updated with information, as it becomes available.

The staff in Israel view security as their 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) 93657900 for a form.

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

PARTNERS