Not for Sale Career Israel participant Liliya Dudnik is interning at the Task Force on Human Trafficking, an organization dedicated to eliminating human trafficking in Israel.  It is estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 women and children are trafficked across international boarders every year.  Read about Liliya's experience, the reality of the sex-trade here in Israel, and see how you can help end modern slavery.

B.F.L. Session 2 Participant Review Jenny Kirsch and Matt Bar share their thoughts on the second session of MAPs Building Future Leadership Seminar Series.  Get an inside look into what BFL participants experienced, who they heard speak (former IDF Chief of Staff!), and most imporantly, how good the food was!

Participant Profile: Dima Lazarev Dima Lazarev relates his journey from Uzbekistan to the Holon Institute of Technology in Israel and how, ironically, he has confronted the most negativity to his Zionism and desire to make aliyah not from those back ho me, but from the Israelis he has come across here in Israel.

Avraham's Tracks SIACH participant Avraham Sherman shares his experience of getting a "jump head first" Israeli army experience

For pictures and comments Click Here

Upcoming MAP Events
Event information and registration  

Movements in Judaism Shabbaton MAP Shabbaton December 14-15, 2007

Writer's Night with Israeli Authors Exclusive MAP Event December 14-15, 2007

Israeli Society through Photography, Cinema, and Game Theory MAP Forum January 8th, 2008

Beaufort Film Screening with Director Exclusive MAP Event January 17, 2008

Israel at Sixty Orthodox Shabbaton Women's Program January 11-12 Men's Program January 18-19

Idan Raichel Project Exclusive MAP Concert February 28, 2008 Tickets on sale now!! Contact Joey  052.303.3088 / info.joey@gmail.com

Complete MASA MAP Event Calendar

Top 8things to do over Chanukah
8) Eat as many fried things as possible, it's only 8 days, enjoy!
7) Walk around at night and look at all the pretty lights
6) Play spin the dreidel
5) Visit Haifa's Holiday of the Holidays
4) Try a new flavor of Sfganiot (there are more than you thought)
3) Enjoy the lack of Christmas music floating through the air
2) Go to a Chanukah party
1) Give that certain person you've got your eye on a present.  Time is running out my friend.

Shout Out to all those little moments that make each day unique and oh so worthwhile. SO to the douchebags in Rothberg International School of Hebrew University who take up two computers in the computer room, causing other people to wait impatiently. Submitted November 26th  SO to the truck driver who got out of his truck to have a cigarette after passing through the 443 checkpoint. Would have been totally understandable if you had not been blocking the entire lane of traffic behind you. Congrats on taking the concept of jack*%& to a whole new level. Submitted November 26th SO to the two people who put Jerusalem on high terror alert, causing everything to be delayed Submitted November 26th To submit your Shout Out (SO) or Anti-Shout Out (ASO) email masamap@masaisrael.org or send Erin a message via Facebook at Erin MasaMap.

NewsAnnouncements & Events

Join the Celebration of Coexistence and Culture with such artists as David Broza and Ibrahim Eid at Jerusalem's YMCA. December 6-31, 2007 For performance calendar  click here

Picture Credit: the Carter Center Project Shinui www.themerkaz.org

Think Globally, Act Locally It’s the peace-process without the politicians. Two kids, two languages, two religions.  One friendship.  Jamie has been best friends with Majid for over five years.  As they sit reading, a volunteer helps them with their English, enabling them to pursue their dreams as equals. There are many ways to help create co-existence in Israel.  This is just one of them. If you’re looking to create social change and you’re not sure how to do it, or you’re not satisfied with your current volunteering placement, contact Binyamin Rose MSW, our coordinator at Project Shinui, Hadassah. shinui@themerkaz.org or visit our website at http://www.themerkaz.org/ for further information.  Your gateway to making a difference.

Already thinking about how to get back to Israel after your program? If you've been to Israel on a MASA-affiliated program, you can win an El Al gift certficate by recruiting new MASA participants through MASA’s recruiters program: Friends Bringing Friends  details       registration form

Holiday of the Holidays

Every December Haifa hosts the Holiday of Holidays, a week long festival devoted to the promotion of patience and understanding between the three religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  This year's festival, now in its 14th year, will run from December 1st to December 8th 2007.

Festival Beshekel is looking for INTERNS! A non-profit organization founded by the prominent Israeli musicians including Sha'anan Streett, (lead singer of Hadag Nachash)  Festival Beshekel was created to combat cultural impoverishment in Israel's periphery by promoting culture and art through music festivals that only cost 1 Shekel. Festival Beshekel is seeking a native English speaker (decent Hebrew is a big advantage) to translate their website and to be involved in PR and resource development. If interested please contact Mickey Gitzin mickey@beshekel.org.il

Join Pardes During Your Break!  December 26-27 and January 6-7 The Pardes Winter Learning Seminar gives you a taste of Pardes’ intensive learning experience in an open, co-ed environment.  Learn compelling classical texts with Jews from the full spectrum of beliefs and practices. Open to men and women age 19 and up. Two-day tuition is $25 for university students & $50 for others. Early bird tuition (until 20 December) is $20 & $45. Sign up with our online registration form. For more information contact winter@pardes.org.il

Want to find a synagogue for Shabbat services? Saw someone once at a MAP event and want to see them again? Want up to date information on MASA? Who better to ask than yourselves?  Make MASA Friends on Facebook