Put your leadership skills to the test in an out-of-the-box global and local gap year program that takes place in Greater MetroWest NJ (GMW) and Israel! 

Rishonim IL is an exclusive and highly subsidized program designed for American high-school graduates who are currently engaged in their community and are selected to represent it in Israel. Rishonim IL will give you the chance to represent Greater MetroWest NJ in Israel—and then come back home to share your experiences and put them into action! 
Applications are due by Friday, April 30, 2021
For questions about the program or the application process, please contact Amit Stern at Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest at astern@jfedgmw.org. 
What are Rishonim?
Rishonim are Israeli high school graduates who choose to defer their army service in exchange for a year of service in Jewish communities around the world. 

Shinshinim bring Israel to Greater MetroWest NJ. 
Rishonim IL bring Greater MetroWest NJ to Israel. 
What you'll be doing:

September:
One Month, including:
Two-week Orientation with your fellow Rishonim (Americans and Israelis together) in Greater MetroWest. Travel to Israel and experience the High Holidays in our partnership communities.
October:
One Month in Tel Aviv with a cohort of North American Shinshinim from other communities.
November-February:
Four months in months in Ofakim/Merchavim, Arad in the Negev, GMW's Partnership2Gether region in Israel.
March-May:
Three months in GMW bringing your experiences home to make an impact.
You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Make a meaningful difference through volunteer work in places such as schools, daycares, youth movements, cultural centers, information educational centers, and more
  • Work with Israeli Youth Leadership groups, representing and educating about the Jewish diaspora 
  • Host delegations from overseas communities 
  • Learn Hebrew in Ulpan

Enjoy cultural programming, such as:

  • Fully immersing yourself in Israeli life by living with an adoptive family from Ofakim/Merchavim or Arad
  • Travelling throughout Israel on monthly trips with other Masa Shinshinim (Rishonim IL and other communities)
  • Participating in special training and certification courses, such as Magen David Adom
Let's break it down:
  • Eligibility:
  • You must be Masa-eligible (have not been on a program in Israel longer than four months)
  • High school graduate/college-bound
  • From Greater MetroWest NJ and can commit to being in GMW during all of September 2021 for orientation and all of March - May 2022
  • Between the ages 18-20
  • Cost: $3500 + flight. Need-based funding is available. This program is generously subsidized by Masa Israel Journey, Passport to Israel grant program of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, and Partnership2Gether of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
What's included in the cost?
  • Accommodations and supervision in Tel Aviv
  • Home hospitality
  • Medical insurance
  • Entrance permit & visa
  • Monthly stipend
  • Staff support and supervision throughout the experience in both GMW and Israel