Masa Israel Journey
Joint Israel government–Jewish Agency initiative funding long-term immersive programs in Israel for Diaspora young adults (ages 18–30). 200,000+ alumni from 60+ countries since 2004. Programs span internships, study, volunteering, and career development.
Masa Israel Journey is a joint initiative of the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel that funds and organizes long-term immersive programs in Israel for young adults from the Diaspora. Operating since 2004, Masa has brought more than 200,000 participants from over 60 countries to Israel for programs lasting 2–12 months — spanning internships, academic study, career development, volunteering, and gap-year experiences.
Structure
Masa functions as a funding body and program aggregator rather than a single program. It provides grants of $2,000–$10,000 to participants and partners with approximately 200 host organizations — universities, NGOs, tech companies, hospitals, kibbutzim, and cultural institutions — that design and run the on-the-ground programs. Masa's grant funding comes primarily from the Israeli government (through the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs) and the Jewish Agency, with additional support from philanthropic partners.
Program Categories
Masa programs fall into several tracks: academic (semester or year at Israeli universities), career (internships and fellowships at Israeli companies and organizations), social impact (volunteering in education, healthcare, and community development), arts and culture, gap year, and post-college professional development. Programs operate in English, with Hebrew language instruction typically integrated. Participants range from 18 to 30 years old.
Strategic Purpose
Masa was created to address the demographic and identity challenge facing Diaspora Jewry — declining engagement, rising intermarriage rates, and weakening Israel-Diaspora ties, particularly among young adults. The theory of change holds that extended immersive experience in Israel (longer and deeper than the 10-day Birthright model) produces lasting connection to the country, to Jewish identity, and to future economic and philanthropic engagement with Israel. Government policymakers also view Masa as a pipeline for potential olim (immigrants).
Economic Impact
Beyond identity outcomes, Masa has become a talent pipeline for the Israeli economy. Tech-track participants have joined Israeli startups and multinationals, and Masa alumni are disproportionately represented among young Diaspora professionals with active Israeli business relationships. The program also supports Israel's higher education sector by channeling tuition-paying international students into Israeli universities.