The 2023-2024 year was intended to mark 20 years of Masa’s impactful work. Through a series of celebrations, the organization planned to honor two decades of bringing hundreds of thousands of young Jews from around the globe to Israel for long-term, meaningful programs. These programs create connections to the country and their Jewish identity in ways no other experience can.

However, the events of October 7th, as they did for every Israeli and Jew worldwide, reshaped all plans. Masa’s focus shifted entirely to volunteer programs and ensuring the safety and well-being of participants who insisted on continuing to come to Israel and contribute to the effort of safeguarding the Jewish state.

Over a year later, Masa decided to “revive” its Influential Alumni list, initially planned as part of the 20-year celebrations. This decision stems from the understanding that there is no better time to spotlight the remarkable, extraordinary, and meaningful work of Masa alumni around the world. It is a moment to bring hope to the Jewish people everywhere, demonstrating that the next generation of young leaders in Jewish communities worldwide is ready to carry the mission forward and keep the Jewish people strong. The next generation is not waiting for tomorrow; they are already repairing the world today.

Some alumni returned to their home countries, while others made Aliyah. Some are making waves in the business world, while others are creating social change. Some are influencing politics and media, while others are improving lives through medicine. Yet, they all share two common threads: they are changing the world in their own unique ways, and they credit much of their success to the transformative experience they had in Israel through Masa.

We invite you to dive into the inspiring stories of Masa’s alumni and draw inspiration, admiration, and hope for the future.

Dov Forman

UK
Masa Jewish Studies, 2022
Yeshivat Hakotel
Author, activist, educator

Kristin Guerin

U.S
Masa-Volunteers, 2023
Israel experience
Social activist

Sharona Shnayder

Nigeria/Israel
Masa-Career, 2019
Sachlav top Israel interns
Environmental activist

Dean Cohen

Australia
Gap year program, 2010
Habonim Dror
Social activist and initiator

Emily Schrader

U.S/ Israel
Masa academia, 2018
Tel Aviv University
Journalist, Social activist

Lucas Adlerstein

Argentina
Gap year program, 2018
Israel Way LTD
Influencer

Dmitry Lerman & Samson Arveladze

Russia/ Israel
Masa Doctors, 2010 & 2020
Israel Experience
M.D & Social activist

Gideon Keyson

Netherlands/Israel
Masa-Career, 2018
Israel Tech Challenge
Hi-tech industry

Talia Datt

Australia
Gap year, 2014
Tlalim
Business

Eitan Bergman

Belgium
Kibbutz-Ulpan, 2012
Israel Experience
Politics, Jewish world

Alicia Schneider

Canada/Israel
Masa-Israel Teaching Fellows, 2016
Israel Experience
Social activist

Kevin Malka

France/ Israel
Masa-Career, 2015
Gvahim
Business

Naftali Shavelson

U.S
Jewish Studies program, 2018
Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi Jerusalem
Media Advisor, Speechwriter and Ghostwriter, Consulate General of Israel in NY

Margot Touitou

U.S/Israel
Masa-Career
Israel Way LTD
Influencer

Rebecca Fine

U.S
Masa Israel Teaching Fellow Masa Career, 2017
Israel Way LTD
Associate Director of Campus Education at StandWithUs

Karin Zaiden (Rubinstein)

Ukraine/ Israel
Masa-Career, 2019
Beitar
Journalist and anchor, channel 9

Jacobo Cohen Mann

Mexico
Gap Year Program, 2018
HaNoar HaTzioni
President of the Mexican Federation of Jewish Youth

Skip to content