Who
The Atlanta Israel Gap Year Fellowship is open to current (2022-2023) Atlanta high school seniors who identify as Jewish, regardless of financial need.
When
The Atlanta Israel Gap Year Fellowship applies to the 2023-2024 school year and the following summer of 2024 (optional).
Please note: This Fellowship may be used during the 2023-2024 school year only. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! Application deadline is March 31st, 2023. Applicants will be notified by email early May 2023.
The Fellowship will be available for the 2024-2025 school year. If you are currently in 9th-11th grade and are interested in going on a gap year in the future, please contact Susie Mackler at smackler@jewishatlanta.org.
Where
Israel! Students will choose from one of several pre-approved Israel gap year experiences. Students who are awarded the additional $5,000 service subsidy may volunteer or work with Jewish organizations in greater Atlanta following the gap year program. Eligible programs have been selected based on a variety of criteria. If you are interested in a program that is not eligible for the Fellowship, scholarships may be available through the program provider or Masa. Please contact Masa directly at: SherylK@masaisrael.org.
About the Fellowship
The Atlanta Israel Gap Year Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for Atlanta teens to expand upon their gap year experience with sessions developed to deepen leadership skills, connect with Israeli experts, and explore ways to apply what they learn after the Fellowship. This will be done in coordination with a list of targeted partners in different focus areas. Dates for sessions are to be announced.
- Two sessions following acceptance in the Fellowship and before departure. These sessions will provide an opportunity for the Fellows to connect with each other and participate in an enhanced send-off event, featuring Eli Sperling, a professor of Israeli history and culture at University of Georgia.
- In partnership with Masa, four sessions in Israel are focused on expanding Fellows’ knowledge of Jewish peoplehood and the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. These will include:
- Participation in the new two-day leadership program supported by the Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Legacy program
- Shabbaton in Yokneam-Megiddo (2 days, 1 night) that will focus on Jewish Peoplehood
- Thanksgiving celebration with Atlanta lone soldiers and Israeli dignitaries from different fields
- Participation in the Masa NextStep Conference, with special sessions for Atlanta Fellows, focusing on leadership on campus, as well as additional strategies for Fellows to engage with and participate in Israel activities, courses, and organizations on campus.
- Upon return, Fellows will participate in two additional sessions to reflect on their year in Israel and strategies for recruiting future Fellows, in partnership with Hillels of Georgia. A commencement program held during winter break focuses on additional opportunities for Israel engagement including Onward, other Masa programs, and volunteer experiences with Israel.
