August 27, 2007

Dozens of Nativ participants land in Israel for a 10-month stay in the framework of MASA Israel Journey

Ynetnews

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The fourth year of the MASA project is off to an impressive start as thousands of youngsters will arrive in Israel this month. First flights land Tuesday carrying dozens of participants in the Nativ project.

Over 100 North American students will take part in Nativ this year, making 2007 a record year in the project's 27-year history. Eight of them will arrive in Israel for the first time in their lives.

During their stay, the participants will attend Hebrew University, a Conservative yeshiva or ulpan for one semester. Following this, they will be divided into three volunteering and residential areas: Beersheba, Yeruham and a kibbutz.

Arriving today are Jacob and Laura Slotzky of Chicago, twins who decided to attend the program after their two elder sisters, spent time in Israel in the past. This will be the first time the twins will be apart as Laura will volunteer in a kibbutz while Jacob will be in Beersheba.

Another participant is David Frantz, who comes from a small town in Ohio. Since there is no Jewish community in his hometown, David struggled to maintain his Jewish identity and had to travel to a neighboring Jewish community an hour away.

MASA (Journey) is a joint program of the Israeli government and Jewish Agency that brings thousands of Jews ages 18-30 to Israel every year. This year about 10,000 youngsters from 50 countries are expected to take part in one of MASA's 150 Israel projects.

For more information about MASA - click here