| WHAT DO THEY SAY? WHAT DO THEY DO? | | | | the program accepts. |
| - Hebrew studies -- Some programs offer Hebrew | | | | In short, the only way to really know that a program is |
| studies, others don’t. Some say that they do but | | | | appropriate for a particular individual is to research it |
| the Hebrew classes are minimal. | | | | thoroughly, including asking past participants for their |
| - Responsibilities -- some MASA programs emphasize | | | | thoughts and impressions. |
| the fun of sun and few responsibilities. That’s fun | | | | TO BUILD AND BE BUILT |
| for about…..a week. Maybe. | | | | Of all the MASA programs available there is only one |
| - Career advancement – This is a wonderful catch | | | | that combines all the elements of other programs’ |
| phrase because everyone is looking to combine an | | | | emphasis in one comprehensive program |
| Israel experience with future opportunities. What does | | | | The Livnot U’Lehibanot To Build and Be Built, |
| “career advancement” really mean? Aren't you | | | | combines hiking (hikes every other day), volunteering |
| in Israel to grow, expand, search out new horizons, find | | | | (working in a variety of community service projects |
| your spiritual self? | | | | including the town’s schools and kindergartens, |
| - Food – Most of the inexpensive and “free” | | | | ecological development, Old Age home, Ethiopian |
| MASA programs don’t serve food. What is | | | | Absorption Center, food banks, soup kitchens, library, |
| advertised as “free” may seem cheaper than a | | | | local nature reserve, etc) Hebrew study, kibbutz |
| program that has a tuition. But in the end it ends up | | | | experience, community involvement, workshops and |
| being much more expensive. | | | | seminars on Jewish and Israel-related issues and |
| - Accommodations – What are they? A dorm? | | | | weekly Shabbat meals and meetings with local |
| Campus? Scattered apartments? | | | | community members, families and residents. |
| - Work experience – What work experience? If | | | | Livnot’s MASA program registration fee includes |
| you're volunteering, do you get a say in the type of | | | | room, 2 meals daily (with an open kitchen to prepare |
| volunteer work that you'll be doing? | | | | the third), three weekly hikes (at a minimum), Shabbat |
| - Travel – each MASA program provider is | | | | and holiday celebrations as part of the local |
| obligated to take the group on three trips per program. | | | | community. |
| After that…..there are programs that take the | | | | Livnot participants live in the charming Old Kabbalistic |
| participants out three times per week! And there are | | | | Jewish Quarter of Tzfat in the Galilee mountainside. |
| programs that take them out three times per | | | | Mornings are spent volunteering while participants hike |
| semester. Do the arithmetic. | | | | throughout Israel’s north in the afternoons. Two |
| - Age – Some programs include participants from | | | | months of the program are spent living on a kibbutz , |
| age 18 – 30. Some recognize that 18-year-olds are | | | | working in the kibbutz’s sustainable agricultural |
| not going to want the same kind of programming that | | | | branch and learning Hebrew at an intensive |
| a 28-year-old wants. Check to see what age range | | | | Hebrew-study ulpan. |