Journey For Identity

The joint Rochester/Modi’in youth delegation will leave for a tour of Poland following a joint preparatory seminar in the US and will complete the Journey by reviewing the experience during a tour of Israel (about a week in the US, a week in Poland and a week in Israel).

This is an educational project based on group learning and the creation of meaningful interpersonal ties between youth of different backgrounds. They participate in a common formative experience with long term effects.

Who is the program suitable for?

What does the program include?

Meetings of familiarization and preparation throughout the year from the moment of choosing the students to the departure of the trip.

The meetings include a process of social formation, getting to know the American culture and studying the various topics in the context of World War II and the Holocaust.

In the USA, the week will include activities of group acquaintance with the members selected for the corresponding group, joint study and additional preparations for the joint week in Poland.

This week in Poland is a journey similar to the journeys of high schools in Israel (under the guidance of the Ministry of Education).

The third week taking place in Israel is the culmination of the journey marked by the ‘Resurrection Beacon’.

We accept students who speak English at a good level of conversation and understanding, who are interested in taking part in a life-changing experiential journey along with an opportunity to meet friends from the Jewish community in Rochester and create life-long connections.

Graduates share their story

Lior: 10 years ago I took part in an amazing program of the Jewish Agency called Journey For Identity . 16 teenagers from Modi'in and 16 Jewish teenagers from the city of Rochester in New York participated in the program. During my stay in Rochester, I was first exposed to the whole world of Diaspora Judaism and also to the United States. Then we made the trip to Poland together and arrived in Israel together, for many of the Americans it was the first time in Israel. I came back enlightened from this experience, I felt that a new world had opened up to me and I promised myself that I would come back again... 8 years later, after a year of service in Israel and four and a half years in the army, I decided to return. I went on a short mission at a summer camp in Texas and immediately after that I went on a long mission on behalf of the Jewish Agency, in which I had the privilege of being the adult coordinator of the Gil-ad tribe in Washington DC. From someone who was in scouts only in the 6th grade, I jumped straight into the position of senior coordinator. In the Gil-ad tribe I discovered not only Diaspora Judaism - but also Diaspora Israeliness. I saw how important it is for Israelis living abroad, each for their own reasons, to maintain their connection to Israel, to Hebrew, to educate their children in Zionism and love of the country even if they live on the other side of the world. I met fascinating people in fascinating positions and got to know Israel from a slightly different angle. Today I work as a messenger recruitment coordinator in the mission unit and feel that I am returning the mission home. Me and some of the American guys from the trip are still in touch and meet when they come to visit Israel. I think about the last few years and remember with longing how it all started in the summer of the 10th grade 10 years ago...

Reut:The journey I went through in the expedition did not start and end in only three weeks, but it is much more than that. The experiences I gained, the friendships formed between people, the moments of difficulty we shared together are still with me. Today, I am still in touch with my partner. We chose to maintain the relationship that started that summer two and a half years ago.