The Impact of a Teen Israel Experience

This Sunday is Community University!

Community University is an annual day of learning for the Jewish Community of Jacksonville, cosponsored by the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville and the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School and in conjunction with local synagogues and agencies.  Once created as a day of parallel learning for MJGDS parents, Community University (known until recently as “Family University” now serves as day of learning for the entire Jewish community, with programs for all ages and stages.  [Online registration for Community University is now closed, but you are still welcome and encouraged to join us!  Same-day registration is permitted.]  The theme this year is “iNDEPENDENCE, iDEAS, and iNNOVATION: Israel on the Cutting Edge”.  All our programming: Preschool, Elementary, Middle and High School AND Adult Learning will have Israel at the center as we celebrate Israel’s 65th birthday.

In addition to having responsibility for planning the youth education component, I have found an opportunity each year to teach adults.  This year, I am offering the following:

The Impact of a Teen Israel Experience

With so many Jewish teens traveling to Israel, what happens when they return?  Are there lasting impacts?  This session will provide data and conversation for those who are considering sending their teens to Israel, parents who have teens who have spent time in Israel, and anyone who is passionate about Israel education.  What can our local Jacksonville Jewish Community do to support teens who return from Israel experiences?  Let’s discuss!

This topic is personal to me and that’s why I wanted to spend a few minutes reflecting on. Because like a lot of Jews of my generation, a teen Israel experience (along with camp) was a crucial step on my Jewish journey.  It also was my very first job in Jewish education.

I first went to Israel in 1988 as part of our local Federation’s teen tour.  It was an extraordinary experience and I met friends that summer that I am still close with today.  I returned to Israel in 1992 as part of a NFTY in Israel summer experience.  I unfortunately decided to pose in the awkward position you find me in the lower, righthand corner of this picture.  Yes, my hair is shoulder-length.  And yes, sadly, I am wear socks with sandals.

My very first job in Jewish education was working for the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angles (BJE-LA) running teen programs, paramount of which was the LA Summer-in-Israel Ulpan.  I cannot provide a link to the program because, unfortunately, it no longer exists, but for many years it was a signature summer-in-Israel program combining the regular touring experiences of other trips with an actual Hebrew ulpan for which students received high school and college credit.  I spent the summers of 1997 and 1998 leading this trip and having an opportunity to provide teens with the experiences I had been blessed to have as a teen myself.

The power of the teen Isreal experience is real.  Here’s excellent proof (Spoiler Alert: I will be showing this trigger video at Community University):

A 2011 study conducted by Ramie Arian and sponsored by the iCenter indicated the following:

• Roughly 11,000 teens traveled to Israel in 2010 – almost the same number that participated in peer-trips to Israel in the late 1990s. One difference, however, is that over 130 agencies took teens to Israel in 2010.
• The majority of teens traveled with youth organizations, middle schools, high schools, community trips and camps.
• The mifgash is becoming a normative part of the teen Israel travel experience, with a few select groups extending it to the full length of their programs.

Based on two iCenter convenings of 30 teen Israel trip stakeholders, the following was underscored:

1. An experience in Israel must be seen as an essential component of Jewish Education. Ideally, students participate in multiple Israel Experiences over time.
2. The Israel Experience is most impactful as part of a Jewish Educational continuum (pre- and post-trip programming).
3. Teen years are critical from a developmental perspective to help form identity and relationships.

So what happens when teens return?

This is what I plan to discuss at Community University!  But if you aren’t able to attend (or would rather attend someone else’s session!), I welcome your feedback in the comments.

This is NOT a hypothetical question!  My Master’s Thesis for my MBA at the University of Judaism was a strategic plan for the creation of a program we created at the BJE called “IsraelPlus” – a program that continued the experience back home, found a place to channel the positive energy and excitement teens typically return home with, kept the Israel education and advocacy alive, and bridged the gap between the teen Israel experience and university.  Of course, the lack of hyperlink indicates that that program, too, no longer exists, but it was a worthwhile attempt and it did morph into other important programs that still survive.

So I really mean it…what should our Jewish community do for teens returning from peak Israel experiences to ensure that enthusiasm for Israel doesn’t fade when summer does?

C-U@C-U!