As Israel and the world struggle with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, most of the innumerable programs that bring Americans — Jews and non-Jews — to visit and work in Israel have sent home their participants.
One organization, however, has not. Masa Israel Journey is continuing its operations despite the coronavirus, and many of its participants have chosen to stay and continue their work.
Founded by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Jewish Agency, Masa Israel Journey brings young Jews to Israel to study, volunteer and work in Israeli businesses, social enterprises and academic institutions as part of an immersive experience of the Jewish state that lasts from two months to a year.
Annually, approximately 12,000 fellows take part in the program, and when the pandemic hit, about 7,500 fellows were in Israel. Unlike other programs, the overwhelming majority chose to stay amid the outbreak.
“At this moment of crisis, the safety of our community is of utmost importance,” Masa’s Acting CEO Ofer Gutman said. “We are working closely with Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Health to ensure the well-being of our fellows in Israel.
“We are also continuing our vital work to connect the next generation of global Jewry to Israel with dynamic opportunities to engage, learn and grow,” he added. “This is critical for ensuring the Jewish future.”
Among these efforts is Masa ONLINE!, a virtual platform that offers fellows and alumni Hebrew language courses, discussion groups, prayer services and other online events. At the same time, fellows are taking a small but active part in helping Israel fight the coronavirus and maintain its social fabric. Several Masa programs are dealing with public health issues and others deal with education, both of which have been deeply affected by the pandemic.
Alex Sleisenger, an Israel Government Fellow (IGF) from Beverly Hills, is directly involved in the international fight against the spread of the coronavirus. As an intern in Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Congressional Affairs Department, he prepares briefs on the pandemic as it relates to the United States.
“Life in Israel during COVID-19 has been relatively calm and quiet,” he said. “We have been working from home and many of our seminar days have been moved to online platforms. Masa has also put together daily online programming for fellows in Israel and around the world, which has been fun and interesting.
“I remained in Israel as I feel safer here than I do back home in California, where things seem to be even more uncertain,” Sleisenger said. “At least in Israel, we can remain in our apartments with roommates and continue on in our programs as opposed to risking infecting loved ones back home upon being in transit.
“The importance of Israel to me has grown exponentially during these times as I realize how lucky we are as Jews to have a second place to call home in the event of a disaster or pandemic like COVID-19,” he said, noting Israel’s quick and aggressive response to the virus, which many around the world have praised.
Leena Demers, a Masa fellow from New York City, is interning at an Israeli company through Aardvark, a program that brings gap-year students for immersive experiences in Israel.
“I’ve decided to stay in Israel for the rest of my gap year because New York is really bad and I would much rather be with the friends I’ve made here than be home and do nothing,” Demers said.
“Being in Israel during this pandemic means that I am pushing myself to new limits that I didn’t even know I could go to,” she said. “I’m still working with the company I interned at, just small things that they need me to do for social media and contacting other companies. I’m trying to make the best of my situation every day by keeping busy in the house and hanging out with friends that live in my building.”
One of the most remarkable stories among the Masa fellows who have remained in Israel is that of Lida LeVine.
Born in Siberia, LeVine grew up in a difficult family situation, including parental alcoholism and abuse. At the age of 6, she was placed in an orphanage, and at 7, was adopted by a Jewish family from Tampa, Fla.
LeVine developed a strong connection to Judaism and Israel, which she first visited in 2004. Today, she is teaching English to Israeli children in the southern Israeli city of Ashdod.
“I have had an incredible experience teaching English to children in Israel,” she says. “I decided to stay during the pandemic because this is the perfect time to show what I can do. This a time the children need our support most. I have grown close with my classes and have seen them progress so much, that it would feel a waste to leave them now.
“We have switched from classroom learning to online learning,” she said. “It has been a learning process for myself as well. I create worksheets, Quizlets, and even make videos for the children. We want them to keep progressing, so we continue just as we would if we were back in the classroom.
“I have always loved Israel, and watching the country come together during this difficult time shows just how beautiful and special this place really is,” she said. “I’ve been given an incredible opportunity and wouldn’t give my time up!”
CORRECTION: The official program is IGF and not Masa IGF. An earlier version of the story labeled the program as Masa IGF.
Benjamin Raziel is an Israeli journalist and novelist, based in Tel Aviv.
