Ramla offers the perfect opportunity for someone looking to make a huge impact in Israel. Ramla is a low-income area where only 47% of high school students graduate with a Bagrut matriculation certificate (a certificate that is required to continue to higher education). Ramla is home to a richly diverse population of Jewish- and Arab-Israelis, and 24% of its residents comprise immigrant communities from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Ramla is located conveniently between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and is a brief bus or train ride from either city. Ramla is a beautiful blend of ancient and modern Israel, featuring historical landmarks such as the White Tower and the Pool of Arches. Streets are fragrant with captivating smells of exotic foods from the shuk (outdoor market) and abuzz with the sounds of conversations held in multiple languages.
In the Classroom
Students in Ramla are generally from underprivileged communities where most of them never encounter English in their day-to-day lives. For many children in the community, having a real relationship with a young adult from abroad is a dream come true. Few students from the area have had the opportunity to travel abroad or interact with native English speakers. Throughout the school year, you’ll become a teacher, mentor and role model for Ramla’s children.
Fellows work with students in grades 1 through 8, depending on which school you’re placed in. There are up to 30 students in each classroom, but most of the time you will work with smaller groups of 3-5 students.
Where You’ll Live
Fellows live in Ramla, sharing their home with a small group of other Fellows on the same program. Each home is equipped with a kitchen (refrigerator, microwave, oven, stove, toaster and electric kettle). Bedrooms are shared.
About the Provider
The BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change operates a broad range of programming for Jewish young adults from around the world based on pluralistic Jewish study and community service, putting the Jewish values of “tikkun olam” (repairing the world) into action through projects focusing on coexistence, social activism and pluralistic Jewish learning. As a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow on a BINA program, you will have the opportunity to experience educational enrichment programming from one of Israel’s leading movements in Jewish social justice while connecting with Israeli peers working in the same communities through other BINA projects.