Israel Engagement Intensive for 20s + 30s

In this critical moment of Jewish history, The Selma and Lawrence Reuben Center for 20s + 30s at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan seeks to create opportunities to foster connections with the State of Israel on your terms and with your peers.

What to Expect:
This pilot program will provide encouraging and judgment-free spaces for young adults to explore and grapple with their relationship with Israel. Through engaging and experiential cohort-based learning opportunities, along with larger group activities and Shabbat dinners, and capped off with a volunteer trip to Israel, our Israel Intensive program will offer a pathway to unite in a moment when so many of us feel alone.

Cost:
The only cost of this intensive is a $50 deposit. At the end of the intensive, this deposit will either go towards the volunteer trip to Israel or, if you are unable to participate, be credited to your JCC account. If this deposit price feels out of reach, please reach out to Michael Kalmin at mkalmin@mmjccm.org; we don’t want finances to be a barrier to anyone’s participation.

Application/Registration Process:
Below, find the application form and the three programming tracks for individuals or groups to select from. The application should take no more than 10 minutes to fill out. Once you have applied, someone from our 20s + 30s team will reach out for an optional 10-15 minute interview over Zoom. Registration is open now through October 1.

Tracks include:

• Secure, Jewish, and Democratic: A Group Learning Experience with Israel Policy Forum: A social and educational overview of today’s major issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Informational grounding is coupled with practical skills designed to equip and empower you in an increasingly polarized landscape. Upon completion, participants will receive a digital certificate (embeddable on LinkedIn).
  6 Thursdays, Feb 13-Mar 27, 2025

• The Culinary Heritage of Israel: A set of cooking/tasting classes highlighting the many foodways that make up Israeli cuisine, their origin stories, and representation of Israel’s widely diverse population and internal cultural and taste politics.
  6 Thursdays, Jan 16-Feb 20, 2025

• Play and Power, cosponsored by Aviv at B'nai Jeshurun: A series of weekly fitness sessions to experience a carousel of Israeli games and physical disciplines like Krav Maga, Kadurshet (Newcomb), GaGa, and Maccabiah (field day!) including the context of each topic within Israeli society and the bigger picture of power throughout Jewish history.
  6 Wednesdays, Nov 20, 2024-Jan 15, 2025 (excluding holidays)

For those who would like to “choose their own adventure” and create a different engagement opportunity for themselves or their affinity group, Rabbi Yael Rapport, director of The Selma and Lawrence Ruben Center for the 20s + 30s at the JCC, will serve as content advisor and provide a micro-grant of up to $360 for individuals and up to $1,800 for a group (minimum of 3 people).

All MMJCCM Israel Engagement participants who complete their track earn a seat on a JCC x Birthright Israel volunteer trip. Preparation will include Shabbat dinners and special programs for pre- and post-trip participants.

For more information or if you have any questions, please reach out to Michael Kalmin at mkalmin@mmjccm.org.