Israel Programs Planning & Resources

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  • time Recent High School Graduates: 17-19 Years Old
  • location Tel Aviv-Yafo and Jerusalem
  • duration Nine Months
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Passports

You are responsible for applying for a passport or renewing your current passport. If you have not already done so, check your passport to make certain it is valid and does not expire prior to December 2019. If your passport does expire before this time, the Israeli Ministry of the Interior may not grant you an extended tourist visa and you will need to apply for a new passport within three months of your arrival in Israel in order to remain in the country legally. If you do not have a passport or need to renew your current one, please do so immediately! Passport issuance and delivery takes approximately six weeks. Be sure to make two photocopies of your passport, one to keep at home and one to bring with you.

Passport applications can be obtained from your local post office or courthouse or on the Internet. Further passport information, including information on requirements for obtaining a passport, is available from the toll-free Federal Information Number, 1-800-FED-INFO, or on the Department of State’s website.

You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time, if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under 16 years of age or if your valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen. Those younger than 18 years of age must apply for a passport in person accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Canadian citizens can obtain passport information, forms and locations of passport offices by visiting www.pptc.gc.ca or calling 1-800-567-6868.

Visas

If you are not an Israeli citizen, then you are required to apply and receive a Visa prior to your entry into Israel. To do this, you will need to go to your closest consulate and apply for an A-2 multi-entrance student visa. The visa will be valid throughout the entirety of the Year Course program. In order to apply for the visa you must bring with you:

  • Your Year Course acceptance letter
  • Your Masa Israel Scholarship Letter
  • Your passport, valid through at least December 2019
  • 2 passport photos
  • A completed Visa application form which you can find at
  • Pay a $46.00 processing fee

For participants who are on the Rwanda trip requiring malaria pills, we recommend that you purchase them before you depart for your trip. Malaria pills may be bought in the US or Israel provided they are still valid for the dates of the trip. Participants who wish to visit a physician or “traveler’s clinic” in Israel to obtain malaria pills may do so. All costs associated with obtaining malaria prophylaxis and medications are the responsibility of the participant. Participants are also responsible for consulting and obtaining medical advice from a physician regarding the proper dosage and administration of malaria pills for their trip. Please read this information, provided by the CDC.

Hebrew Reference

As the year progresses, parents/guardians will probably note the increased usage of Hebrew words that their sons and daughters slip into their communication. For those less familiar with Hebrew, we have compiled a brief glossary to help you feel more a part of the Israel experience. ENJOY!

EnglishPronunciationHebrew
BusAutoboosאוטובוס
FoodOchelאוכל
MaybeOolaiאולי
Hebrew classUlpanאולפן
LandEretzארץ
PleaseB’vakashaבבקשה
Good morningBoker tovבוקר טוב
WelcomeBaruch habaהבה ברוך
Bon appetiteB’tayavonבתאבון
Blessing after mealsBirkat hamazonברכת המזון
RegardsDashד"ש
Dining roomChadar ochelחדר אוכל
StoreChanutחנות
Participant (m/f)Chanich/aחניך\כה
TelephoneTelefonטלפון
YesKenכן
MoneyKesefכסף
NoLoלא
See you laterL'hitraotלהתראות
Good nightLilah tovלילה טוב
CounselorMadrich/a (m/f)מדריך\כה
WhatMaמה
Lounge or clubMoadonמועדון
TaxiMoneetמונית
GuideMoreh derechמורה דרך
WaterMayimמים
Grocery storeMakoletמכולת
GiftMatanaמתנה
Bon voyageNesiyah tovaנסיעה טובה
HebrewIrvitעברית
Good eveningErev tovערב טוב
GroupKvutzahקבוצה
StreetRechovרחוב
GuardShomerשומר
MarketplaceShukשוק
BathroomSherutimשירותים
Thanks very muchTodah rabaתודה רבה
Central bus stationTachana merkazitתחנה מרכזית
Services (prayer)T'fillotתפילות

Year Course Partnerships

Young Judaea: Founded in 1909, Young Judaea was the first Zionist youth movement in the United States. It is a peer-led Jewish youth movement. Through educational, cultural and social programs, conventions, camps and Israel programs, Young Judaea seeks to impart a strong Jewish identity on American youth of all affiliations while helping them to create a personal relationship with the State of Israel. From all over the United States, more than 50,000 Young Judaea graduates – from third graders to college participants – have participated in and benefited from its programs. Young Judaea and Young Judaea’s Israel programs including Year Course are part of Young Judaea Global, led by a group of Young Judaea alumni and other supporters of Young Judaea.

Young Judaea is a religiously pluralistic movement that welcomes and includes individuals from all streams of Judaism. Jewish tradition is an important and highly valued element of the movement, and we strive towards true religious pluralism so that every participant can feel comfortable and welcome regardless of his/her background.

Please note that at times throughout this Guide, the terms “Young Judaea” and “Year Course” may be used interchangeably.

Young Judaea has been affiliated with Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (“Hadassah”) in the past. Hadassah continues to be a supporter of Young Judaea and Year Course and continues to be a source of scholarships and other support.

In June 2003, The Coordinating Committee of the Government of Israel and The Jewish Agency for Israel met to explore new ways to reach Jewish youth around the world, reinforce their Jewish identity and strengthen their ties to Israel and their community. It was here that the idea for MASA – The Project for Long Term Programs in Israel was born. MASA’s ultimate goal is to significantly increase the number of participants in semester to one-year educational programs in Israel, the center of world Jewish culture and creativity.

Chanichim from FZY, the sister movement of Young Judaea in Great Britain, also participate on Year Course. This interaction with FZY provides chanichim with a look into another component of Diaspora Jewry, an opportunity to foster the connection between the two movements, and a chance to make friends from another part of the world.

Chanichim from Canadian Young Judaea, our sister movement in Canada, also participate in Year Course. Canadian Young Judaea, Canada’s largest Zionist youth movement is also pluralistic and non-partisan.

Chanichim from our Israeli sister movement, the Tsofim, participate in Year Course as well. The Tsofim offer a unique insight into the lives of Israeli youth today and a chance to exchange ideas with Israeli counterparts.

Young Judaea, FZY and the Tsofim together form the umbrella organization Atid, an international partnership of pluralist Zionist youth movements.

Ready to Register for Year Course?

If you need additional information please contact us at yearcourse@youngjudaea.org or call us at 1-866-599-2534