Masa Israel Journey Blog

Just Got Accepted to Masa’s Building Future Leadership Conference!

Published : March 07, 2012

By Jacob Couzens, Yeshiva Shaarei Mevaseret Zion

Another Tuesday, another week full of developments.

Lately I’ve been filling out lots of applications, whether they be for college programs, summer jobs, or other interesting things that I can put on my resume and add to my life experience.

Which brings me to an email I received today from Masa, an Israeli organization that provides support for international students participating in GAP year programs. A few weeks ago, a Masa email appeared in my inbox advertising what they called the “Building Future Leadership Conference,” a seminar over spring break that lets accepted students choose from 5 tracks. Aside from basic core leadership courses encompassing the Jewish international...

Global Jewish Voice: The Holy Land Myth

Published : March 07, 2012

By Ellen Brown, Eco-Israel

But of course! Just because it’s in in Israel does not mean that it is inherently Jewish. Coming to the farm, I anticipated an “Eden-esque” land where Jewish intention planted every seed.

After about a week or so of orientation and adjustment, a casual conversation with a fellow Eco-Israel participant revealed that Jewish essence was less prominent in our program than we had imagined.

Then it occurred to me. This was an ecological farm (certainly advertised as such) and not specifically a “Jewish farm.” It was my own imposition of the “Holy Land Myth” that clouded my perceptions of my surroundings.

Read more in Global Jewish...