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Every fellow deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen

Masa Israel Journey is committed to ensuring that LGBTQ fellows have a meaningful, supported experience on every program. In partnership with The Aguda — The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel — we have built a framework of education, tools, and accountability that programs can adopt to meet a verified standard of LGBTQ inclusion.

 

 LGBTQ Policy

Masa’s LGBTQ Inclusion protocol is grounded in Masa’s broader educational mission: to provide every young Jewish adult around the world with a transformative experience that strengthen connection, encourage personal growth, and cultivate a sense of belonging within a diverse and evolving Jewish world.

Organizers must ensure that LGBTQ+ participants:

◦      Feel safe and respected in all social, educational, and communal activities

◦      Are not subjected to discriminatory discourse, conversion practices, or any harmful conduct related to their identity

◦      Have access to dedicated support when needed, with full confidentiality guaranteed

To see our full DEI policy, you can read more here.

Who is The Aguda?

Built with Israel's leading voice for LGBTQ equality

The Aguda - The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel, is Israel’s pioneer LGBTQ organization. (bolded) We are a national grassroots, volunteer-based, nonprofit human-rights organization. We promote and advance new initiatives and cultivate leadership and partnership within all sectors in the community. The Aguda strives for full equality for LGBTQ people and aspires to create a public climate of acceptance and respect towards the community.

Who is The Aguda?

Our partnership with The Aguda

Together with The Aguda, we developed research-backed protocols and an ongoing support structure within the Masa ecosystem. We are equipping our organizers with real tools, education, and frameworks so that our LGBTQ fellows receive the support they need throughout their Masa experience – proactive care as a foundation, and reactive care where needed. It’s about giving our Masa community the resources to navigate, include, and advocate. Drawing on The Aguda’s decades of expertise and Masa’s deep commitment to every fellow’s wellbeing, this initiative is built on a foundation of credibility and shared responsibility.

Verified badge

Externally verified — not self-declared

Clear protocol

Designated point person on program staff for resources and support

Organizer training

Real tools, education, and case studies

Ongoing support

The Aguda available for guidance and feedback

Participating organizers are required to:

Promote diversity

and representation by creating spaces that acknowledge and respect a wide range of identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences within the global Jewish community

Ensure equity

through responsive practice, by remaining attentive to individual needs and making appropriate accommodations to support participants' well-being and sense of belonging

Foster inclusive environments

in which participants can safely express their identities and engage fully in all aspects of program life — social, educational, and communal — without fear of exclusion or marginalization

Embed inclusion

into the educational experience, by integrating relevant perspectives, narratives, and discussions into the program's content, in alignment with Masa's emphasis on leadership development, cultural engagement, and connection to Israeli society

Maintain transparency and accessibility

ensuring that inclusivity policies and available support systems are clearly communicated to participants before and during the program

Demonstrate active responsibility

for participant well-being, including the provision of trained staff, accessible support channels, and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, or harmful practices

Programs holding the LGBTQ-friendly badge

The following programs have met the requirements of Masa’s LGBTQ inclusion framework and have been awarded the badge in partnership with The Aguda.

Program name

Program name

Program name

Program name

Current Fellow or Alumni? Share Your Experience.

Your feedback helps us hold programs accountable and continuously improve. Please rate your experience on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

 

Need to report an incident?

If you have experienced or witnessed a situation that requires immediate attention or follow-up, please first reach out directly to your program. If you would like to file an official report to the Aguda for the incident, you can do so here.
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