Jewish Social Action

Masa Israel Journey program participants

Jewish Social Action

The Jewish Agency builds a thriving Israel by harnessing social activism in service of vulnerable populations. We train young Israelis to become leaders, social entrepreneurs, and skilled volunteers who work to make Herzl's vision of a model society a reality in Israel.

Jewish Social Action Programs

Project TEN: Global Tikkun Olam
Volunteer with vulnerable populations around the world and develop your Jewish knowledge, while making friends from Israel and worldwide.
Youth Futures: Mentoring for At-Risk Children
Each Youth Futures “Mentor” works with 16 at-risk children over the course of three years, teaching skills for academic improvement and social integration that last a lifetime.
Nitzana Educational Eco-Village
A cutting-edge desert community and educational center that fosters environmentalism, tolerance, and self-confidence. Nitzana is home to many Jewish Agency Social Activism projects.
Mechinot: Post High-School Service Learning
At Mechinot, Israeli high school graduates participate in Jewish study, volunteerism, and leadership training, towards a more engaged citizenship and a brighter future.
Amigour: Subsidized Housing in Israel
Amigour is a Jewish Agency subsidiary that provides quality housing in Israel to the elderly, new immigrants, and single-parent families.
Atidim: Enrichment Programs for Gifted Students
Atidim, "Futures" in Hebrew, prepares promising students from disadvantaged communities for higher education at leading universities.
Young Activism
The Jewish Agency's Young Activism activities are dedicated to investing in young Israelis who value social activism as a way of life, repairing the world, and long-term change.
At Home Together (Babait Beyachad)
Volunteer for At Home Together
Interested in volunteering? Here's what you need to know!
Project HEART
Holocaust Era Asset Restitution Taskforce
Service Year Enrichment Program (Shin-shinui)
A new initiative provides training courses and Jewish learning for post-high school service-year volunteers.
Fund for the Victims of Terror
The Fund for the Victims of Terror provides Israel’s terror victims with direct, immediate financial assistance after an attack, complementing governmental relief and easing recovery.
Emergency Assistance Fund
The Emergency Assistance Fund provides security details to Jewish schools, synagogues, and community centers around the world, so Jewish communal life can thrive even in the unfriendliest of places.
Young Aliyah
Nativ: Jewish Heritage Education for Immigrant Soldiers
Nativ is a warm Jewish educational experience for immigrant soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Net@
The Net@ program increases the educational, social and economic opportunities of youth living in Israel's peripheral communities and works to reduce Israel's digital divide.
Youth Villages
The Jewish Agency's Youth Villages provide highly cost-effective boarding school settings for youth with severe emotional, behavioral and family problems.

Meet Our Staff

Content Director of "Ethiopian Project", earned her BA in Communications and her MA in Government Management from Haifa University. Vered made Aliyah when she was only 4, on The Agency's Operation Moses, arriving in The Jewish Agency absorption center in Atlit. In her current position, she now oversees for the absorption needs olim various programs, preparing a smooth integration into Israeli society and life. "I myself made Aliyah in the 1980's, and I am full of gratitude for the continued work and commitment of The Jewish Agency" – Vered Achihon, Content Director, Ethiopian Project
Omer holds a BA from the Hebrew University in International Relations and Political Science, and met his wife while an emissary in USA. He won the President's Award for his work with Ethiopian immigrants. As a Partnership Director, Omer is responsible for the connections with the communities, educational projects and supporting local voluntary organizations. "I am currently writing a children's book that I always dreamed of publishing before the age of 35" – Omer Givati, Director of the Kiryat Gat-Lachish-Shafir-Chicago Partnership
– emissary to Ethiopia, joined The Jewish Agency as an educator at the Ben-Yakir Youth Village and later as Director of the Meron Absorption Center in Sefad. Following the Second Lebanon War, the Center was awarded most outstanding center for its treatment of olim in general and in time of war specifically. "After coming to Israel on The Jewish Agency's "Operation Moses", I'm now privileged to make the dream of return to Zion come true for so many others" – Asher Seyom, Emissary to Ethiopia
Rina Barats, a graphic designer in The Jewish Agency Marketing Unit, emigrated from Latvia in 2012, and graduated from Hebrew studies in Ulpan Etzion. Rina designs marketing materials for the various content units and programs. She earned her BA from Latvian Academia of Culture, and participated in Taglit in 2009 and Masa, where she interned in graphic design in an Israeli startup company. "My Masa program was a test drive which reinforced my long-time dream – to make Aliyah" – Rina Barats, Graphic Designer, Marketing Unit
Danielle Mahrer works as a Shlichim and Camps Coordinator for The Jewish Agency's Summer Shlichim (emissaries) Program, sending shlichim to summer camps in North America. She grew up in Los Angeles and studied History and Jewish Studies at the University of California. She spent summers at URJ Camp Newman, as a camper, counselor, advisor and Unit Head. Her first trip to Israel was on Taglit-Birthright, and she later studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem after making Aliyah in 2010. "It's an amazing opportunity to provide young Jewish campers and counselors with the same life-changing experience that I had" – Daniel Mahrer, Shlichim and Camps Coordinator, Summer Shlichim (emissaries) Program
Yael Toledano has been working for The Jewish Agency in various capacities since 2006. Originally from the French village of Saint-Quentin, she grew up in Paris, before her family made Aliyah. Soon, Yael will start a new journey as The Jewish Agency long-term emissary to France, working with and for the Jewish communities to connect them to Israel, its history, culture and the Jewish spirit. "My work is extraordinarily satisfying, enabling me to contribute to Israeli society and the Jewish people" – Yael Toledano, Senior Assistant
Bilana Sahar, Director of Aliyah Unit and Experience Israel programs, was born in Lvov, Ukraine and holds a BA in Social Work and Political Science. She worked in the IDF for 10 years. She has also served The Jewish Agency as an emissary in Uzbekistan and Ukraine. She is currently in charge of her unit's daily work, guiding the different teams and emissaries in the field, initiating projects and partnership building. "My work provides a wonderful opportunity to develop Aliyah programs that serve the interests of both Olim and Israel's economy" – Bilana Sahar, Director, Aliyah and Experience Israel, FSU unit
Muhammad Abu al-Hija is the Director of Youth Futures in East Jerusalem, working with youth at-risk, and is responsible for meeting the program's educational, organizational and budget goals, guiding the Mentors, alongside welfare and educational staff. Muhammad holds a BA in Special Education, and a MA in Educational System Direction and Organization, and worked five years at the Ministry of Education. "The challenge enables me have a real impact on society, puting a smile on the faces of youth at risk" – Muhammad Abu Al-Hija, Director, Eastern Jerusalem Youth Futures

Jewish Social Action

Jewish Social Action

The Jewish Agency builds a thriving Israel by harnessing social activism in service of vulnerable populations. We train young Israelis to become leaders, social entrepreneurs, and skilled volunteers who work to make Herzl's vision of a model society a reality in Israel.

Jewish Social Action Programs

At Home Together (Babait Beyachad)

Young Aliyah

Meet Our Staff