This year on Year Course we’re changing things up a bit, and giving you the opportunity to experience Year Course from a first person perspective. Between the different classes and trips, the community, and diversity of the participants, our Ambassadors are going to be the new lenses of Year Course. With half of them starting in Kedma and half of them starting in Yama there will be a great equal view of all aspects of the program.

I would like to introduce you to Year Course 17-18’s Social Media Ambassadors

 

Jordan Pressel: From New Jersey, he loves taking photos and exploring the non-touristy attractions, so people following his social media will see the major sites and attractions, but also some lesser known (but just as cool) places! He is relatively new the Young Judaea movement although has already experienced the welcoming community and wants to encourage those who are considering getting involved with YJ that Year Course is one of the friendliest and warm environments. Follow his Instagram @jspressel36

 

Noa Krakow: Coming from Pennsylvania, she has been a part of the Young Judaea throughout her life and couldn’t imagine her life without this community. She would like to share her experiences and everything that she has learned with others. She wants to inspire others while living in Israel and believe that Year Course will provide her with the stage to show off Israel’s diversity, opportunity, and beauty to the rest of the world. Follow her Instagram @naokrakow

 

Estee Segan: Sunny Florida, she comes to Year Course as someone who has been one to cherish the moment and revel in its treasures. Whether those treasures are a lesson, an experience, a tool for the future, or a milestone; the treasures that important moments in our lives provide to us are essential in developing the story of who we are. She intends to appreciate every moment during her Year Course experience and will exploit the positive nature of each event that Year Course provides for them. She is excited to provide a platform of memories that help develop the story of who she and her peers will become on this amazing journey, so that they can look back and see how far they’ve come. Follow her Instagram @esteesegan

 

Elena Smith: Joining Year Course from Connecticut, Elena has always loved taking photographs and making memories. Her goals as one of our Year Course Social Media Ambassadors is to document the different adventures and memories that she and her fellow year coursers create. Something that they can look back on a share with the world their travels throughout their Israeli journey. You can follow her Instagram @the.elena.smith as well as her photo blog at mytinylegacies.wordpress.com

 

My name is Itamar Bliman and I am 24 years old.  I was an active participant and then leader in the Israel Scouts in Haifa. The youth movement is something that is so connected to who I am as a person. It has influenced every step of my life; socially, educationally and personally. It was because of the movement that I chose to participate as a Tzofeh (Scout) on Young Judaea’s Year Course for my year of service before the army. There I volunteered alongside Year Coursers in Bat Yam and participated in many of their amazing programs.

It was here that I started my relationship with Young Judaea. When I met the teens that grew up in Young Judaea, I saw that there were so many similarities with my own experience, as they related to Zionism, Hadracha (leadership) and Jewish values. Right then and there, I fell in love with Young Judaea.

I continued this relationship the summer after Year Course when I represented Garin Atid at Camp Young Judaea Texas and even during my army service when I spent the summer of 2016 at Camp Young Judaea Midwest.

It was because of this that it was so easy to make the decision to join Young Judaea on Shlichut and to give to kids and teens what I experienced in the Scouts. After being a part of Young Judaea nothing makes me happier than continuing to be a part of YJ and being given this amazing opportunity. Along with my work with Young Judaea, I will work with Garin Tzabar, the Scouts pre-army program and this summer, I will join many of the teens and children at Camp Judaea.