Key Facts
Key Information
About
Masa Israel Journey is a major non-profit organization founded in 2004 by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Sallai Meridor as a joint venture between the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel. It serves as the central umbrella and regulatory body for long-term immersive programs in Israel for young Jewish adults (ages 16–35), providing scholarships, funding, and organizational support to hundreds of program providers. The organization facilitates various tracks to strengthen Jewish identity and connections between the Diaspora and Israel, including: Masa Career (internships and professional placements in Israeli companies and startups); Masa Gap (post-high school programs focusing on leadership and personal development); Masa Israel Teaching Fellows (MITF, a 10-month program where college graduates teach English in Israeli schools); and Masa Academic (study abroad semesters and degree programs at Israeli universities). It operates on a co-funding model where the Israeli government matches funds from the Jewish Agency, supported by the Jewish Federations of North America and Keren Hayesod. Key developments include a 2020 pivot to virtual programming and 'Masa Remote' tracks during COVID-19, and the 2023 launch of 'Masa Volunteers' in response to the October 7th regional conflict. Masa has faced occasional scrutiny over funding allocations, the political nature of some partner organizations, and financial shortfalls during Israeli government budget freezes that threatened scholarships for thousands of participants.