Yom Ha’atzmaut Reflections and the Beauty of This Year

Posted in Special on 16. May, 2011

Elana Stern, Livingston, NJ; Section 2 chanicha
It’s difficult to believe, but I have just two full weeks left in my adventure; time has truly flown.  It’s been an eventful time in Israel, a time that has brought tearful remembrance and joyful celebration right up against one another, which makes for an emotional roller coaster.
As the sun sets on Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Remembrance Day)  … Read more

Yom Hazikaron: An Unexpected Honor

Posted in Jerusalem, Special on 12. May, 2011

Yesterday, we reported on the two days earlier this week, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.  While the days will definitely stick in everyones’ collective memories for a long, long time, for one particular chanicha, it will stay in her memory for even longer.
When Masa Israel Journey approached us and asked for a lucky participant to play a special role during the official tekes on  … Read more

“Best Year of Your Life”

Posted in Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Special, Video, Volunteering on 18. Apr, 2011

Before we say l’hitraot (see you later) to everyone before the chag begins, we wanted to leave you with one non-Passover related gift.  We at Year Course believe there there is simply no substitute for a year in Israel.  We have done our best throughout the first seven months of the year to give our chanichim a life-changing experience.  
But don’t take it from us.  … Read more

Chag Pesach Sameach!

Posted in Special on 17. Apr, 2011

Benji Lovitt
Passover falls about halfway through our year, an equal amount of time before and after the High Holidays, and serves as a great time for a “mid-year review” of oneself.  It is said that throwing away chametz symbolizes the throwing away of arrogance or pride, helping return us to the place we hoped to be after Yom Kippur.  Right now, all over Israel,  … Read more

Shoah Seminar: Thinking Critically about the Holocaust

Posted in Jerusalem, Section 2, Special on 03. Apr, 2011

Last week, we read Part I  … Read more about the recent Shoah seminar from Jenna Basman.  Here is Part II.
Our next speaker was a lady who works for Yad Vashem. She came to speak to us about the importance of educating ourselves about the Holocaust because of the danger and threat of current Holocaust revisionists.  These people do not blatantly deny that the Holocaust happened, but

Shoah Seminar: A Survivor Speaks

Posted in Jerusalem, Participant Stories, Special on 30. Mar, 2011

Earlier this week, our Jerusalem students became the third and final group to take part in our brand-new Shoah seminar planned by Aron Lazarus, our director of informal education.  Lasting two days, this seminar delivered a powerful multi-media experience to our chanichim about the Holocaust, from all possible angles.  With lectures from a survivor and guest speakers, readings, movies, classes, a trip to Yad Vashem  … Read more

YJ Long-Term Programs: More than Just Year Course!

Posted in Special on 20. Mar, 2011

Young Judaea is proud to have been bringing Jewish adults to Israel on Year Course for over fifty years; however, it is not our only long-term program here.  After attracting over eight thousand participants to Arad over forty years, WUJS Israel has gotten a makeover and is now making big things happen in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv!  WUJS is yet another part of the Young  … Read more

Race for the Cure Makes the National News!

Posted in Press, Special, Video on 03. Nov, 2010

As we bring our coverage of Year Course’s participation in the historic Race for the Cure walk in Jerusalem to a close, we wanted to leave you with just two more videos from the day.  This first one was entirely filmed by chanichim themselves (thanks to our great video editors at Hadassah for the nice production!)

And here’s some coverage about the walk from MSNBC!  … Read more

Race for the Cure Wrap-Up: We Made a Difference!

Posted in Press, Special, Video on 31. Oct, 2010

As you read here last week  … Read more, the first ever Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure walk in Israel took place last week and Year Course was there, walking side by side with thousands of other marchers to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.  It was a beautiful day and an opportunity to really make a difference.  Millions of dollars

Masa Israel Journey Opening Event

Posted in Special, Video on 27. Oct, 2010

As you may know, Masa has helped bring tens of thousands of young adults from all over the world to Israel over the last ten years and provides programming for program participants while they are here in Israel.  With many programs to choose from, Year Course is thrilled to be the BIGGEST gap year program around.
Monday night was the incredible opening event of Masa   … Read more