Don’t get us wrong—we here at MJF love Minnesota, but at a certain point (usually, sometime in January), we start daydreaming about Israel. After all, what can compare to a bustling morning spent in the shuk, taking in the sights and tastes of Jerusalem, or an afternoon wandering the art-filled streets of Tel Aviv before heading down to the beach for a seaside drink? Lucky for all of us, MJF is excited to draw your attention to some incredible opportunities we have for connecting to Israel after a long couple of years away. Check out these four different ways MJF is bringing Israel connections back to Minneapolis.
1.Harry Kay Leadership Institute Cohort x—Mission to Israel
Read up on the Harry Kay Leadership Institute’s recent mission to Israel right here. It took over two years, a lot of virtual workarounds, several rescheduled trips, and a ton of planning, but Cohort X finally made it to Israel for a powerful, life-changing trip. From a day spent soaking in the sun at the Dead Sea, to somber moments of commemoration on Yom HaZikaron, the cohort of leaders had an unforgettable experience. “Cohort X began in 2019 as a group of I’s,” Lauren Goldfarb, a Cohort X participant said, “And through this collective experience, I believe the group is leaving as a proud We with even more questions and ideas. Get ready, Minnesota. Cohort X is returning and we have a lot to say.”
2. Partnership2Gether—Minneapolis to Rehovot and back again
Check out everything Partnership2Gether has to offer! Through P2G, Minneapolis and Rehovot, Israel are “sister cities,” a partnership that aims to strengthen bonds between Israelis and Jews in the Diaspora. Through programming like 248—a network of young Jewish doers coming up with and sharing the next big thing with their communities—we stay in touch with our Israeli counterparts. 248’s recent excursion to Israel made for plenty of opportunities for learning and fun. And this week, the Israeli cohort is returning the favor by traveling to Denver with their Minneapolitan friends! Watch their adventures, along with other P2G offerings, right here.
3. The trip of a lifetime—Experience Israel 2023
If traveling vicariously isn’t quite enough for you, we’ve got you covered. Enter Experience Israel 2023, the trip of a lifetime. From April 16-23, 2023, we’ll be celebrating a monumental 75 years of Israeli independence as a community on a week-long journey that promises to be the experience of a lifetime. Plus, not only will we be traveling all together on this once-in-a-lifetime excursion to Israel, our electives allow you to customize your trip to your passions. Personalize your itinerary based on the experience you want to have on this unique journey.
From food to history, art to adventure, there’s something for everyone. Interest piqued? Register for Experience Israel before May 31, and receive an early-bird subsidy from MJF to save $1,201.
4. Israel and camp scholarships
Speaking of saving money, MJF is passionate about making travel and other ways of connecting with Israel financially accessible for everyone. Travel opportunities to Israel are some of the most formative and amazing experiences for our young people, but also some of the most expensive. We’re proud to offer a variety of different need-based scholarships for experiences ranging from high school abroad to other exciting programs—check out our available Israel scholarships here.
—Paletz Award Recipient
Want more information about Israel connections, or to stay up to date with your local Jewish community?
Sign up for our newsletter right here for fun emails and upcoming opportunities!