Yes. All Masa programs operate under the direct guidance of the Home Front Command, IDF, Israel Police, local authorities, and other official bodies. The safety and security of our fellows is our highest priority. Activities are adjusted in real time to ensure fellows remain close to protected spaces and are supported by trained staff.

Our fellows safety, security, and well-being is our top priority. We are consistently being updated with the most accurate information to maintain each fellows overall well-being.

The moment we know there is a security issue in any of the areas where fellows are located, we have a streamlined system to get the fellows the precise information they need to stay safe. Amir Keinan, Chief Security and Safety Officer at Masa, is in communication with each program director of every Masa program. The safety protocols are as follows: If an incident occurs, Amir begins continuous communication with various security bodies, including the army's Home Front Command, relevant government offices, and the Jewish Agency, ensuring a well-informed approach. He then meticulously gathers essential information and methodically disseminates it to our program managers, equipping them with the necessary procedures and instructions to safeguard our fellows. We want you to know that your children’s safety is our top priority at Masa. Our security team, led by Amir Keinan, is ready to handle any situation that may arise in Israel. Amir keeps in touch with the army, the government, and the Jewish Agency to get the latest updates. He also trains our program managers on how to protect our fellows in case of an emergency.

Yes — and we want to be clear: you are not alone in this. Since October 7, our team has guided thousands of fellows through multiple rounds of rocket fire from various fronts, escalations involving the Houthis in the Red Sea region, and two prior waves of direct attacks between Israel and Iran. During each of these periods, we continued operating programs by activating established emergency protocols, providing ongoing updates, and ensuring that fellows remained physically secure and emotionally supported. Throughout these moments, many fellows have drawn strength from their communities on the ground in Israel and have expressed a desire to remain present with their peers and programs.

Our fellows have a variety of safe places to go if there is an air raid siren. In places where there are a lot of people, like boarding schools, hotels, and reception centers, there are big shelters ready for everyone. They are close by and easy to access. Some apartments will have shelter rooms that are protected from rockets and bombs. A “mamad” is a room within an apartment that sometimes doubles as a bedroom. A “miklat” is the name for the general building room which serves as a shelter for all residents.
In addition, public shelters located throughout cities in Israel are open and available for use, providing additional secure locations during times of emergency.

Our organizers are thoroughly briefed by Amir Keinan, Masa’s Safety and Security Officer, on permissible activities and the specific conditions under which they can occur. Each trip, activity, and visit undergoes careful scrutiny and approval whenever feasible, ensuring the highest standards of safety. Through consistent communication with our programs, we maintain a detailed understanding of every fellow's location in Israel, allowing us to monitor their situation in real time. This knowledge encompasses their precise whereabouts, as well as their current health and mental state.
In situations where assistance is needed, we are well-prepared to provide prompt support tailored to their individual needs and requests. This proactive approach ensures that our fellows receive comprehensive security and support, enhancing their overall safety and well-being throughout their time in Israel.

At this time, Israel’s airspace is closed in accordance with national security directives. We continue to closely monitor all developments and remain in direct contact with the relevant authorities.

Should any changes occur regarding airspace, evacuation procedures, or transportation options, we will communicate immediately and act in full coordination with government and security officials.

Participants who choose to leave Israel via land border crossings will not be prevented from doing so. However, our current recommendation is to avoid this option. We cannot guarantee participants’ safety once they leave Israel’s borders, particularly when entering neighboring countries.

As always, the safety and security of our fellows remains our highest priority. We are fully prepared to respond responsibly and in alignment with official guidance should the situation evolve.

To support fellows who have spent an extended period under frequent rocket alerts, Masa has begun organizing short respite trips to hotels in quieter, security-approved areas of the country. These trips allow fellows to briefly rest and reset in a calmer environment while remaining under full safety oversight. Transportation and accommodations are funded by Masa, and all travel follows strict security guidelines. They will then return to their original locations after the short trip.

These trips are conducted under clear operational guidelines: all travel routes require prior approval from Masa’s Chief Security Officer, and any activity outside the hotel is strictly limited and permitted only in accordance with relevant security directives and in coordination with Masa’s security team. We hope this initiative will offer fellows a brief but meaningful opportunity to decompress from the ongoing tension in a structured and secure manner.

We follow strict protocols for security deployments, both in emergencies and during routine hours, which are reviewed and approved by the Israel Police. Constant communication with the authorities ensures that we adhere to their instructions diligently. All sites necessitating security measures receive appropriate responses, including the deployment of security forces like the border guards and police officers in specific areas.

Moreover, some locations, now, during the war, while not obligated, have taken additional precautions. These places have voluntarily increased the number of security guards to provide an extra layer of safety and assurance for the fellows.

Fellows are instructed to remain close to protected spaces, avoid unnecessary travel, and identify the nearest shelter to ensure quick access. Participants should rely only on official sources and avoid acting on unverified information from social media or messaging platforms.

Fellows may be asked to stay near shelters or protected rooms, limit travel to essential needs only, and participate in modified programming to ensure full compliance with safety directives.

A safe room (Mamad) or shelter (Miklat) is a reinforced protected space built according to Israeli safety regulations to provide protection during security incidents.

Fellows receive alerts through the Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) app and direct communication from program staff. All fellows are required to keep the Home Front Command app installed with notifications activated.

While we are not currently offering widespread charter flights at this time, if there are specific requests please reach out to the organizer for additional assistance and we will see how we can help.

Each organization operates under its own structure and guidance. Masa acts in continuous coordination with the Home Front Command, the IDF, and relevant authorities, and decisions are made based on official recommendations and security assessments. Many fellows have expressed a desire to remain in Israel. If there are specific requests please reach out to the organizer for additional assistance and we will see how we can help.

Fellows remain under the care of their program organizer and Masa. Masa’s Chief Security Officer, Amir Keinan, is working closely with all program directors to ensure appropriate accommodations and safe arrangements until travel becomes possible.

When airspace is paused or limited, start dates may be temporarily adjusted. Families should contact the program director directly for the most current information regarding scheduling and next steps.

Fellows remain under the care and responsibility of their program organizer and Masa until safe departure becomes possible.

Direct updates will come from program staff. Fellows and families may also consult official airport websites, including the Ben Gurion Airport flight board.

We recommend that if travel is necessary, take a private taxi or a program-organized shuttle.

For any requests related to public transportation, it is essential that you coordinate with the program director. They maintain direct communication with Amir to comprehend the safety protocols currently in place. In situations where travel is unavoidable, we strongly advise opting for private taxis or utilizing program-organized shuttles. These options not only enhance individual safety but also adhere to the established security guidelines, ensuring a secure and reliable means of transportation for all participants.

We know that the situation in the region is tense and uncertain. Masa does not have the power to change or talk to other countries about their embassy decisions, but we are doing our best to keep our fellows safe and secure. Please know that we care deeply about our fellow’s well-being and happiness. If you or your child feel that staying in the program is not the right choice for you, we understand and respect your decision. Nothing is more important to us than our fellow’s safety and peace of mind.

Amir, our Chief Security and Safety Officer, receives daily security briefings and remains in constant communication with key security authorities in Israel, including the IDF’s Home Front Command, relevant government offices, and the Jewish Agency.

Masa sends daily safety and security updates to keep programs, partners, and parents informed. If you are not yet receiving these updates, please contact [email protected]
to be added to the mailing list. This will help ensure that you and your participants receive timely information and stay connected to the most up-to-date guidance.

Each case is reviewed individually and depends on the specific program. Financial considerations are addressed after safety needs are resolved.

The programs are continuing to operate as scheduled. For specific updates on any program, we recommend reaching out directly to the program director, as they possess the most current information. Amir, our Chief Security and Safety Officer, maintains constant communication with various security entities in Israel, including the army's Home Front Command, relevant government offices, and the Jewish Agency. He systematically gathers all pertinent information and ensures its orderly transmission to our program managers. These managers receive comprehensive procedures and instructions, enabling them to implement necessary safety measures and safeguards for all participants, ensuring their well-being throughout the duration of the programs.

All program payments are coordinated through the program directly. Please reach out to the director or coordinator of yours/your Fellow’s program for more information on their refund policy.

If there is a case for an evacuation, the program director, will receive specific instructions from the Masa Chief Security Officer Amir Keinan. Amir maintains direct communication and instruction from Home Front Command, National Emergency Portal and other relevant government entities.

The program directors will then guide the Fellows through the the appropriate steps as outlined by Amir.

In past situations where risks were geographically concentrated, it was possible to identify clearly safer zones. At this time, assessments are ongoing, and movement itself can introduce additional logistical and safety considerations. We continue to evaluate conditions in coordination with official authorities.

Families may make personal decisions regarding departure. At this time, Masa is not organizing independent departures outside of officially coordinated evacuation frameworks. Anyone choosing to leave independently is responsible for arranging their own travel logistics.

Amir remains in direct contact with every program director and manager, ensuring immediate updates in the event of any changes. It's crucial to note that he is not involved in the decisions made by various countries regarding their embassy representatives, their status, or the protocols of those countries towards their employees. However, as long as we follow the instructions provided by the Home Front Command and the army, we can respond effectively and appropriately, prioritizing the safety of our participants.
Additionally, it's important to understand that the airport in Israel is operational, albeit in a limited capacity. According to information from the relevant ministries in the government and the Home Front Command, there are no plans to close the airspace in the State of Israel. Therefore, if you decide that you want to take your Fellow out of the country, we completely understand and respect your decision. Your choice will be supported, and we will assist you accordingly.

The red line that we defined for ourselves refers to our ability to provide a security response to all of our participants; if we reach this situation and realize that we are unable to do so, then we will act accordingly and freeze the continuation of our programs. If we reach a situation where the programs are temporarily closed and we are asked to assist in taking the participants out of the country in a centralized manner, then we will work with the Jewish Agency and all the relevant parties in order to do so.

No definitive timeline can be provided. Decisions depend on government directives, security assessments, and airspace status.

Yes. Health insurance remains active until departure from Israel, even if the program has formally ended. Coverage specifics vary by organizer.

Insurance policies vary among organizers, each working with different companies. As a result, there might not be a uniform answer to inquiries about insurance coverage. The specifics of insurance policies, including coverage and terms, are typically determined by the respective organizers and their chosen insurance providers. Therefore, individuals may need to consult directly with their program organizers to obtain accurate and personalized information about their insurance coverage during the program.

For valuable well-being resources, we encourage you to visit our landing page at masaisrael.org/well-being/. Additionally, you are welcome to join our Community Zoom sessions for support and connection that we hold on occasion.

If you require immediate assistance from a professional, a hotline is available at *3201, offering help in multiple languages. We also want to share three main resources for mental health support:

• Natal - National Trauma Center can be reached at 1800-363-363
• Crossroads - Mental Health Support can be contacted at 02-624-6265
• Eran - Mental Health Support is available at 1201.

To address anxiety related to the current situation, the Home Front Command has provided an explanation, which you can access at https://www.oref.org.il/12550-16414-en/Pakar.aspx. We hope these resources can offer valuable support during this time, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance or information. Your well-being is our priority.

This is completely natural. Fellows are encouraged to reach out to program staff or their regional Masa contact for support. Additional resources include the NATAL Helpline (*3362), national emotional support lines, and online support sessions and community check-ins.

Families will receive updates through direct communication from program organizers and official Masa email updates. Masa’s Chief Security Officer remains in continuous contact with program leadership and security authorities to ensure accurate and timely communication.

If you leave your program for more days than allotted you are welcomed back into your program without a problem – your spot in the program will not be jeopardized as we understand the unprecedented nature of these times. For additional days outside of the program, your grant will be adjusted based on your extended stay. Please reach out to your program directly as their financial policy will need to be followed. We want to help get our fellows back to their program when they are ready to do so.

According to the Masa By Laws:
A program up to 6 months: 15 vacation days
A program longer than 6 months: 30 vacation days

Unfortunately, at this moment, we are unable to extend the vacation/days off policy.

A vacation day does not include holidays (chaggim) or holiday eves (erev chag), or Friday and Saturdays