To be continued... 2020 ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS Board Chair Report 4 The Photography Project 10 Thank You to Our Donors 5 Perspectives 11 Operations Report 6 Donor Representatives Report 12 Operational Successes 8 Highlights 14 Year 10 Israel programs are 320 only the beginning of the participants in 2019 journey, both at an individual and communal level. and1500+ Embracing an understanding of Judaism, Israel, and what since 2014 have it means to be involved in participated in Israel our local Jewish community, programs of five is only the beginning, with the ripples and positive weeks or more. waves continuing. “We achieve greatness by handing our values onto the next generation and empowering them to go and build the future.” – Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Looking back since Y2i began, a trip, but that it comes through Board the community that has been the generosity of donors. The formed, the connections new application process will Chair students have made, and the ensure any grant money which lasting memories are what is not requested, will be retained Report defines its success. We have by Y2i for use in future years. seen new leaders emerge We are so lucky to have enjoyed amongst our youth, including the generosity of our donors, many who have returned to 2019 was a ground-breaking year who continue to believe in our Israel to help guide the next for Youth 2 Israel (Y2i), not just vision; “Inspiring generations students. Long term, we will because of the sheer number of young people with an also continue to monitor of students who participated in understanding of their Jewish the ongoing impact through programs, but because it was heritage, a love for Israel, and independent research. the first time all the programs an enthusiasm to participate were able to come together for The impact is not always in their Jewish community.” one day in Israel. Ultimately the adequately portrayed in Their support of Year 10 Israel power of what we have created statistics however. It is through programs enables the stretches beyond individual the lens of those in the moment, continued positive growth of schools or groups, and builds that we have seen some our community. a real sense of belonging and beautiful stories captured in As we all navigate a changing involvement in our shared images. Our annual Photography world environment and adjust community. Project competition, allows us to restrictions on travel, I am to see what they see – all Israel 320 students from Emanuel grateful to have the tremendous has to offer and how its story School, Kesser Torah College, support of the Y2i Board to is one we should be proud to Masada College,Moriah College make sure we have the strategies help continue. and the BJE Israel program, in place to adapt. The collective journeyed to Israel. That number While momentum for the experience and input of the is almost double the amount programs continues, we want Board is critical in guiding a who were part of the 2014 to ensure families cherish communal attitude of nurturing pilot. It is a reflection of the the experience as a genuine Jewish continuity. I want to thank momentum surrounding these opportunity for their children, each of them for their wisdom programs as well as their success and never view donor funding and commitment, with a special that the participation rate is simply as something they are mention to Peter Philippsohn now at 59% across the board. If entitled to receive. To this end, whose tireless efforts keep us you look at Masada College, for we implemented a change in on track. example, 98% of their Year 10 the voucher system last year. Ultimately, much of the day to students went on the program, Parents are asked to apply day workload rests with our whilst BJE had representation for the $5,000 grant, and can staff, Rachel Swartz and Raelle from an extraordinary 27 elect to take all, part or none of Freinkel. They are constantly different schools. the grant. More importantly, it working at growing our reach, enables everyone to see this is The message about the engaging with schools, youth not just a reduction in the cost of programs is spreading far and movements and communal wide, but we recognise there is organisations, ensuring everyone much more to the experience is informed to keep things than just going to Israel. Each running smoothly. Thank you. year we hold a Y2i communal I hope you will take some time day in Israel, with the support to explore the remainder of this of JNF and UIA. For the first report. It is hard to capture all time Kesser Torah, who only that Y2i has achieved in one send students every two years, document. Although we cannot joined Y2i day. It is here where give space to each of the over the students gain a sense of 1,500 people who have benefited being part of something greater. from the grants and the impact It’s a wonderful opportunity to it had, we have tried to provide meet new people and create you with a snapshot. Enjoy this new friendships which will annual report knowing it is a extend beyond school and into story that will always carry the adulthood. promise, “to be continued...”. Jeremy Dunkel 4 Thank founding donors Mervyn and Lorraine Basserabie Lance and Loren Kalish Jonathan and Renee Pinshaw Bernard and Lynne Berson Howard and Hayley Kantor Lance and Julie Rosenberg Boyarsky family Dan and Nicole Katz Stanley and Charmaine Roth Stephen and Lucy Chipkin Aron Kleinlehrer Brian and Arlene Schwartz and family Coppel family Dorit and the late Aubrey Krawitz Education Heritage Foundation Ian and Josie Lacey Ilan and Shira Sebban Simon and Rebecca Ehrlich Gus and Nanna Lehrer Diane Shteinman and family Bruce and Lauren Fink Gary and Roz Levin Barry and Sandra Smorgon Gerry and Eva Fischl Alex and Rosemary Linden Bruce and Barbara Solomon David and Ariane Fuchs Alan and Susan Lipman Ezekiel Solomon Brian and the late Susie Gold Lowy family Danny and Dannielle Taibel Newton and Jan Goldman Robert and Ruth Magid The late Mildred Teitler Nancye Goldstein Colin and Robyn Manoy Vidor Family Daniel Goulburn Gary and Daniela Munitz Isaac and the late Susan Wakil Graf family Naumburger and Midalia families Daniel and Virginia Weinberg Phillip and Vivien Green Pelerman Foundation Peter and Jenny Wohl Stephen and Sharon Green Peter and Sheila Philippsohn The Wolanski Foundation Gary and Sharon Hendler Millie Phillips Jeff and Charlene Zulman Peter and Sharon Ivany Jonny and Jacki Pillemer Cynthia Jackson Russel and Carole Pillemer 15 x Anonymous 5 Operations Report Participation 2019 Our people Participants 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 BJE 26 32 43 66 56 73 The day to day operations of Y2i are managed by Rachel Moriah 90 102 118 128 133 114 Swartz and Raelle Freinkel, working closely with the Masada 15 36 40 32 15 43 schools and program providers to ensure the optimal Emanuel 26 56 75 70 48 73 experience in Israel for students. Both Rachel and Raelle are employed three days per week and operate out of KTC 8 0 0 37 0 17 the JCA offices. TOTAL 165 226 276 333 252 320 Their roles encompass communal engagement and awareness, including collaborating with stakeholder Projected participants organisations, schools and partners. Among their key Y2i response to COVID-19 and the Impact on responsibilities is to ensure each program meets all 2020 Israel programs educational, legal and Y2i requirements. There is no doubt the significant impact COVID-19 has Y2i is also specifically involved in the marketing and had on travel and the opportunity for the 2020 Israel recruitment of participants for the BJE program from programs to go ahead. Before the global pandemic, across NSW, Queensland and the ACT. With up to half 316 students, across all programs, had indicated their of each Year 10 cohort coming from schools outside of interest in participating in 2020 Israel programs. With Jewish Day Schools, it is essential to inform families of travel now curtailed for this group, every program is the existence of the program and the impact it can have exploring alternative travel arrangements for 2021 with on the lives of participants. Y2i encourages families of the objective of ensuring the 2020 Year 10s are still able prospective participants to attend an information night to participate in this important educational experience. to learn about and better understand the program. Most of those who do attend the information night go on to For this cohort, as all the other year groups, the Y2i participate in the program. Operations Board is committed to maximising the number of students able to participate in an Israel program. The Board recognises that a full five weeks in Program report Israel for these students may not be a possibility due to Y2i currently provides funding for five Year 10 Israel Year 11 school commitments. programs: • BJE Israel Program (The NSW Board of Jewish Education) • Chavayah (Emanuel School) • MIT (Masada College) • IST (Moriah College) • KTC Israel Experience (Kesser Torah College – operates every second year) The introduction of Y2i $5,000 grants have made this Israel experience more affordable for families. When Y2i piloted in 2014, 165 students participated. This has now grown to 320 in 2019, an increase of 94%. 2019 saw KTC offer its second biennial Israel program. The BJE program continued to grow, with 73 participants from 27 different schools. Masada College, who have traditionally partnered with Moriah College also held its first stand-alone Israel program. Most of those who do attend the information night go on to participate in the program.