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
30 S 15th St Ste 801 • Philadelphia, PA 19102
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.

152 Bateman Road • 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.

American Friends of Hebrew University
2100 Arch Street, Suite 455
Philadelphia, PA 19103
SBloom@afhu.org * www.afhu.org
215-330-6722 A national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising support for, and
awareness of, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Hebrew University is a
multicultural and pluralistic institution devoted to innovation and achieve-
ment across seven academic Faculties.

American Friends of Magen David Adom
c/o United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
212-533-7800 ext. 1146 • www.usy.org/escape/israel/pilgrimage
For students in grades 10 through 12, a six-week tour of Israel. Various pro-
grams are available.

P.O. Box 52158 • Philadelphia, PA 19115
215-947-7007 • Philadelphia@afmda.org • afmda.org
Israel’s ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization, serving
as emergency medical first responders. MDA is the organization mandated
by the Israeli government to serve in this role, but it’s not a government
agency; it relies on donations for funding.

Volunteers for Israel
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
USY Pilgrimages and Adventures
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
AJC Philadelphia/South New Jersey
30 South 15th St., Suite 801 • Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-665-2300 • Fax: 215-665-8737 • philadelphia@AJC.org • ajc.org
Advocates on behalf of Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

Adocacy priorities include: combatting global anti-semitism; promoting
Israel’s place in the world; combatting BDS and countering the spread of
radicalism and extremism.

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev
The Pavilion • 261 Old York Road, 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.

112 American Friends of the Kaplan Medical Center
THE GUIDE 2017/2018
2100 Arch St., 5th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-587-4104 • philly@aipac.org • aipac.org
Pro-Israel lobbying organizations working with both Democratic and
Republican political leaders to enact public policy strengthening the U.S.-
Israel relationship. Works with Congress and the executive branch on initia-
tives from securing foreign aid for Israel to stopping Iran’s nuclear program.

American Technion Society-Philadelphia Chapter
100 Four Falls Corporate Center, Suite 211
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
610-940-3800 • Fax: 610-940-3880
technion.phi@ats.org • ats.org/phila
Supports the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel’s oldest
scien tific and technical university.

AMIT-Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
P.O. Box 342 • Wynnewood, PA 19096
410-484-2223 or 1-800-989-AMIT
info@amitchildren.org • amitchildren.org
Supports educational and social-welfare institutions throughout Israel,
helping disadvantaged youth become constructive citizens in Israeli society
through educational programs, teaching Torah and Jewish tradition, and
promoting a sense of unity among Jews.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
1500 Market St. • Suite 2415 West Tower
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-568-2223 • Fax: 215-568-5526
philadelphia@adl.org • philadelphia.adl.org
Advocates actively on behalf of Israel. Monitors and tracks extremists
and hate groups, educates children and adults, and protects constitutional
rights and religious freedoms.

Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation of America
333 E. Lancaster Ave., #351 • Wynnewood, PA 19096
215-887-1590 or 1-800-469-2697 • Fax: 610-668-7739
btjphilly@boystownjerusalem.org • boystownjerusalem.org
Support group for residential educational institution in Jerusalem offering
dis advantaged youth, ages 12 to 20, an intensive multi-disciplinary curriculum
emphasizing technology, academics and religious studies.