MASA Israel Journey
ISRAEL The commitment of the Philadelphia Jewish community to Israel is
evidenced by the large number of organizations and programs whose goals
are to support the health, education, social, cultural and political institutions
in Israel; organizations that sponsor trips; and those that assist Philadelphians
who wish to make aliyah or to volunteer, travel or study in Israel.

GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS
Israel Bonds
Development Corporation for Israel
1500 Walnut St., Suite 1302 • Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-545-8380 or 1-800-752-5671 • Fax: 215-545-6164
philadelphia@israelbonds.com • israelbonds.com
See ad on Cover 4
Philadelphia-Israel Chamber of Commerce
200 S. Broad St., Suite 910-G • Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-703-3135 picc@phillyisraelchamber.com • phillyisraelchamber.com
Promotes business development with Israel. PICC is a member-based, inde-
pendent professional network serving Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern
New Jersey. Educates constituents about the range of business opportunities
available in Israel, and helps members to achieve their business goals through
referrals, consultation and access to business resources. Members represent
manufacturing, high technology, investment, professional and financial firms.

ISRAEL EXPERIENCES
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103 • 215-832-0537
info@jewishphilly.org • jewishphilly.org
A central informational resource for teens, college students and adults
wishing to travel, study or volunteer in Israel under the auspices of a variety of
programs. Also administers Jewish Federation's Israel Scholarship Aid Fund,
which assigns financial aid based on financial need to students participating in
organized educational programs.

Missions to Israel: Sponsors missions to Israel for singles, couples and
families. Provides fast-paced, intense educational experiences for
veteran travelers, as well as for first-time visitors to Israel.

Birthright Israel–Taglit
The Birthright Israel Foundation
33 E. 33rd St., 7th Floor • New York, N.Y. 10016
1-888-99-ISRAEL or 1-888-994-7723 or 212-457-0036
information@birthrightisrael.com • birthrightisrael.com
Offers young adults ages 18 through 26 trips to Israel. The program covers
airfare and 10 days of land and program costs.

BBYO Passport to the World
484-429-6645 • liberty@bbyo.org • passport.bbyo.org
Multiple departure dates throughout the summer and four continents.

Choose from 16 countries, including Italy, England, France, Bulgaria, Chili,
Costa Rica and Israel. Local and national program scholarships available.

Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)
Israel Aliyah Center
301-881-4407 or 866-835-0430 • Fax: 301-881-4408
aliyahny@jafi.org • jewishagency.org
Helps in bringing Jewish people to Israel to live (make aliyah) and ensure their
successful integration into Israeli society. Promotes Jewish-Zionist education
programs, and the partnership of Jews around the world with Israelis and
Israeli society.

1-800-205-5780 • programs@masaisrael.org • masaisrael.org
Connects Jewish young adults, ages 18 to 30, to over 350 programs across various
interest areas including: 5-10 month gap year, study abroad, internship and
volunteer experiences in Israel. All Masa Israel participants receive an automatic
grant and can apply for additional needs-based financial aid.

Nesiya 516-203-4611 • info@nesiya.org • nesiya.org
Combines outdoor adventure, workshops in the visual performing and literary
arts; community-service projects; cultural activities; and creative Jewish study
in Israel. Participants travel through four regions of Israel — the Negev, Galilee,
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv — and the Judean Desert, and focus on the origins,
development and role of the land of Israel in the future of the Jewish people.

The program is open to North American and Israeli students completing grades
10 through 12.

Operation Understanding
P.O. Box 7765 • Philadelphia, PA 19101
215-665-8575 • Fax: 215-665-8737
director@operationunderstanding.org • operationunderstanding.org
Identifies and develops future leaders in the African-American and Jewish
communities while educating the community at large about diversity, race and
ethnicity, conflict resolution and the need for mutual respect for others.

USY Pilgrimages and Adventures
c/o United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
212-533-7800 ext. 1146 • pilgramage@uscj.org • usy.org
For students in grades 10 through 12, a six-week tour of Israel. Various
programs are available.

Volunteers for Israel
P.O. Box 693 • Skippack, PA 19474
610-584-0468 • 215-646-6381 • Fax: 1-866-514-1948
philadelphia@vfi-usa.org • vfi-usa.org
Assists volunteers ages 17 and up who want to work in Israel on noncombat IDF
logistics and maintenance bases. VFI’s mission is to give support and help
strengthen America’s bonds with Israel. Volunteers live and work alongside Israelis
and other volunteers from around the world. Their jobs might include packing
medical supplies and equipment, repairing machinery and outdated parts, building
fortifications, assisting in the kitchen and maintaining the base. There are one-,
two- and three-week programs year-round. Special programs for students include
the summer International Youth Program (IYP) for young adults ages 17 to 25, and
an add-on to Taglit-Birthright tours. During the work week (Sunday through
Thursday afternoon), participants get free housing, kosher meals, work clothes
and cultural programs. There may also be tours. Volunteers pay only for airfare,
weekend expenses and an application fee. VFI is a nonprofit, nonsectarian,
nonpolitical U.S. organization. Volunteers for Israel partners with SAR-EL, an
Israeli organization that oversees volunteers’ experiences on IDF bases.

SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev
The Pavilion • 261 Old York Rd., Suite 417A
P.O. Box 1128 • Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-884-4510 or 1-800-96-AABGU • Fax: 215-884-4870
winickc@aabgu.org • aabgu.org
Raises funds and public awareness for the university, which carries the
mandate to spearhead development of the Negev in the fields of industry,
agriculture, science, culture and education.

American Friends of the Kaplan Medical Center
152 Bateman Rd. • Langhorne PA 19047
267-658-4185 • lbalcher@afkmc.org • afkmc.org
Fundraising support for one of Israel's major general hospitals, with
specialties in many areas, serving Israelis in Rehovot.

THE GUIDE 2016/2017
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