Masa Israel Journey Blog

Discovering Haifa's Beauty, Diversity and Genuine Coexistence

Published : February 10, 2012

By Billie Hirsch, OTZMA

Shalom from Haifa! My name is Billie Hirsch, and I am a participant of OTZMA, a ten-month leadership development and volunteer-oriented program sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America as well as CJP.

Since late August of last year, I have been awarded the bragging rights of calling Israel my current home. Although I can never expunge or replace the memories of my past four years of living the student life in Boston, I am absolutely loving life here and taking full advantage of everything this country and this city have to offer.

While being in Israel, the experiences I devote myself to being exposed to on a daily basis and the skills and talents I work to continuously develop are ones that I eagerly anticipate bringing...

Reflecting on the Dance Village, Kibbutz Ga'aton, Israel

Published : February 06, 2012

By Rebecca Crystal, Dance Journey

Exactly a year ago, I arrived in Israel and began a journey....the Masa Dance Journey to study with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in Israel. Here, I became inspired in unthinkable ways and worked harder than ever before. Keeping this journey and the people I met in mind as I continue along, in dance and in life.

I distinctly remember panicking as the cabin doors closed, once I boarded the plane. I started to cry, and had trouble breathing. I've never felt so trapped before...too late to chicken-out, like I was seated in the car of a roller-coaster, right after the safety bar was clicked permanently into place.

After I breathed some Tel Avivan air, fresh off the...