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L'israélisation de la diaspora juive. Le cas de Sar-El, volontariat civil en Israël
Translated Title: The Israelisation of the Jewish Diaspora: The Case of Sar-El, Civil Volunteering in Israel
Author(s): Partouche, Maëlle
Date: 2023
Topics: Israel Attachment, Israel-Diaspora Relations, Israel Education, Israel Experience, Israel Tours, Diaspora, Main Topic: Other, Zionism
Abstract: En quoi Sar El, programme de volontariat civil dans l'armée israélienne, joue-t-il un double rôle d'offre et de demande dans les relations entre la diaspora juive et l'État israélien. Répondre à cette question suppose d'envisager Sar-El comme un cas pratique d'israélisation de la diaspora par Israël, c'est-à-dire comme une entreprise de captation des juifs « de l'étranger » par un État autoproclamé centre du monde juif, tout en saisissant son inscription dans le « continuum d'engagements » des juifs restés en diaspora. Ce qui se joue dans la mise en œuvre et le succès de ce programme interroge la situation contemporaine des juifs en France et l'évolution du sionisme dans le contexte français. Plus largement, l'élaboration de tels programmes doit être appréhendée comme s'inscrivant dans le processus historique d'auto-ajustement de l'axiomatique de l'État gardien développé par D. Trom.
Between Authenticity and Ethnicity: Heritage Tourism and Re-ethnification Among Diaspora Jewish Youth
Author(s): Lev Ari, Lilach; Mittelberg, David
Date: 2008
Topics: Birthright (Taglit), Educational Tours, Israel Attachment, Israel-Diaspora Relations, Israel Tours, Israel Experience, Main Topic: Identity and Community, Jewish Identity
Abstract: Heritage tourism takes on a new meaning when conceived and implemented in the framework of a diaspora – homeland context. Trip organisers utilise heritage tourism that identifies the signifiers of national collective identity or Peoplehood and construct an experience of authenticity that supports a newly reconstructed narrative of personal and collective identity that bridges the diaspora and homeland identities. This paper examines into the differential consequences of heritage tourism on the ethnic identity of diaspora travellers from North America and the former Soviet Union to their homeland, specifically contrasting Jewish tourists from different diaspora localities making an otherwise almost identical birthright Israel trip. For both groups, Jewish ethnic identity was strengthened, particularly their emotional attachment to Israel. However, the difference between the two groups was found in the actual factors that explain this post trip attachment to Israel. The experiential component was more prominent among participants from the former Soviet Union, while among North American student participants, Jewish background as well as their higher pre-trip motivations provide an explanation for their high post-trip scores of attachment to Israel. Israel thus serves as the liminal domain of diaspora tourists, where existential authenticity and pre-trip ethnicity as latent as the latter may be, intertwine experientially to generate an expansion of the frame of individual identity of diaspora tourists in their homeland.
Jewish lives Interrupted
Author(s): Miller, Helena; Pomson, Alex
Date: 2021
Topics: Coronavirus/Covid, Main Topic: Other, Jewish Students, Jewish Schools, Schools: Seconday / High Schools, Youth, Mental Health, Surveys, Focus Groups, Jewish Youth, Jewish Youth Work, Youth Movements, Israel Tours
Abstract: During February and March 2020, the world was plunged into responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. This saw unprecedented restrictions to people’s lives in an effort to prevent the spread of a highly infectious disease.

In the UK, from 23rd March 2020, the entire population was put into “lockdown” by the government, effectively suspending almost all forms of activity outside the home. By the time of writing, in the Autumn of 2021, the UK has endured three lockdowns resulting in enormous disruption to every sphere of life. The country has not yet returned to normality.

The effect on every aspect of people’s lives – family, mental wellbeing, social, economic, educational and religious - has been immense. This study explores the effect of the pandemic on the Jewish lives of teenagers. It pays
special attention to three key moments in their Jewish development: bar/bat mitzvah; Israel
tour and summer camp; and their graduation from school.
Еврейская Молодёжь России: Жизненный Стиль
Translated Title: Lifestyles of Jewish Youth in Russia
Author(s): Писаревская, Дина
Date: 2011
Topics: Main Topic: Identity and Community, Jewish Identity, Jewish Community, Israel Tours, Youth, Youth Clubs, Youth Movements
Abstract: The article examines the problems of identity and lifestyle of contemporary Jewish youth in Russia. The fieldwork within the bounds of Jewish youth communities reveals respondents' marked Jewish identities in spite of the lack of Jewish traditions in their families. Such key issues as Jewish projects and Jewish social activities participation, along with trips to Israel, especially within the framework of the program «Birthright Israel», have made an impact on Jewish identity of young people. Jewish young people take an interest in projects which let them get knowledge connected with their education or career. They also like unusual projects. Traditionally they attend Jewish holidays and Shabbat celebrations. People who fulfilled the questionnaire polls have their identity formed by projects informing about Jewish history, culture and traditions. Alongside with this, young people prefer to learn more about their profession, they increase their standard of culture or find entertainment opportunities, and these activities are not related to the Jewish subject area. Jewish youth communities are based not only on the Jewish identity of their members. Jewish young people have common interests and hobbies. Their shared lifestyle lets them be together in their communities.
German Youth Educational Travel to Israel
Author(s): Ayalon, Yoni; Schnell, Izhak
Date: 2014
Topics: Educational Tours, Israel Tours, Main Topic: Education, Jewish Education, Jewish Identity, Israel Attachment, Israel Education, Israel Experience, Teenagers, Youth, Interviews
Abstract: The article examines the phenomenon of German youth educational tourism to Israel. A qualitative analysis of visits to the main tourist sites in Israel was conducted, and the analysis and interpretation of interviews that were conducted with the youths reflected characteristics of the youths’ sense of a tourist place. The experiences of the German youths in Jerusalem, on the Tel Aviv beach, at memorial sites, in seminars, and in visits to the private homes of Israeli youths blended into a central narrative of creating a reality of a new coexistence that is based on mutual respect between the next generations of Germans and Israelis. We suggest that a reconstruction of identities emerges from the dialectics between the home place of the tourists and the toured places in Israel.
The Impact of German Jewish Youth Educational Travel to Israel on Attitude Change Toward Israel
Author(s): Ayalon, Yoni; Schnell, Izhak
Date: 2020
Topics: Main Topic: Education, Jewish Education, Educational Tours, Israel Attachment, Israel Tours, Youth, Teenagers, Israel Experience, Israel Education
Abstract: This article explores the impact of German Jewish youth educational travel in Israel on changing attitudes toward Israel. The travelers are engaged in direct interaction with the host country, directly experiencing the environments and interacting with members of the host society while touring places with symbolic meaning. The encounters with places that were perceived as meaningful encouraged the adolescent youth to emotionally identify with the values of those places and to redefine the role of Israel in the young person’s identity. Consequently, the travelers are expected to improve their attitudes toward Israel as the toured place.
Jewish Lives: a longitudinal study to explore changing lives of Jewish secondary school students and their families. Focus: Israel
Date: 2018
Topics: Longitudinal Studies, Teenagers, Jewish Schools, Main Topic: Education, Schools: Seconday / High Schools, Israel Tours, Israel Attachment, Attitudes to Israel
Abstract: What do Jewish 18 year olds think about Israel and their relationship with the modern State? As this cohort enters late adolescence, their consciousness regarding their relationship with Israel will be forming. They will be leaving secondary school at the end of this academic year and if they continue onto further education, they will be confronted with the complex relationship with Israel that exists on campus. We are interested in the changing lives of adolescents and understanding how this cohort view their relationship to the modern State of Israel.

This study is conducting an in-depth and sustained exploration of the changing Jewish lives of young people and their families. Our data is collected from students in 7 Jewish schools and from students in non-Jewish schools.
We compared data collected before attending the post GCSE Israel Tour with information obtained during Year 13. All the Jewish schools in our sample apart from one offer a Year 9 Israel Trip, which is a two to three week educational tour of the country, taking place towards the end of the summer term. 73% percent of the student sample went on their Year 9 Israel trip. In addition, one of our schools offers a Year 9 extended
Israel programme for 10 weeks, which typically attracts 10–20% of the eligible cohort.
The Israelization of British Jewry: Balancing between home and homeland
Author(s): Greene, Toby; Shain, Yossi
Date: 2016
Topics: Politics, Israel Tours, Israel Attachment, Jewish Community, Main Topic: Identity and Community
Abstract: Israel is increasingly the epicentre of Jewish peoplehood, shaping the lives of diaspora Jews as both an engine driving interconnectedness and a source of division. ‘Israelization’ impacts diaspora Jews differently according to country of domicile. This article examines British Jewry, providing historical context and drawing on interviews to explore the community’s shifting identity and culture. It argues that Britain represents a unique model between America and France. In America, where security is greater, Jewish ethnic ties are loosening, whereas in France, doubts over the Jewish community’s future increase their focus on Israel. While British Jews experience hostility, they feel safer than in France. Flourishing British Jewish culture reflects commitment to multi-ethnic Britain, alongside loyalty to Israel. The dynamics of those loyalties are changing, however, with dissent against Israeli policies increasingly legitimised. We conclude that the Israelization of British Jewry is all encompassing, even while allowing for a thriving diaspora community.
The UJIA Israel Volunteer Programme: Evaluation
Author(s): Miller, Helena
Date: 2008
Topics: Israel Tours, Israel Experience, Volunteering, Main Topic: Other
Abstract: The following paper relates to both Gap Year and Short Programme volunteering. It summarises and reviews current UJIA provision, records elements of success and tries to understand the challenges and issues that are a current feature of some elements of the programme. Finally, a set of recommendations is detailed, which should act as a lever for change.
Israel Tour: Trends Over The Last Decade
Author(s): Scott, Karen; Miller, Helena
Date: 2015
Topics: Israel Experience, Israel Tours, Statistics, Main Topic: Education
A Challenging Summer: Israel Tour and Birthright Groups 2014. Support for Madrichim
Author(s): Miller, Helena
Date: 2014
Topics: Israel Experience, Israel Tours, Youth Movements, Jewish Leadership, Main Topic: Education
Abstract: This summer has been a challenging and exceptional one for Israel Tour madrichim, who have run Tour during a period of ferocious hostilities between Israel and Gaza, which have impacted on both the itineraries and the day to day running of their groups. They have had to deal with sirens, taking their groups into shelters, hearing explosions afar and nearby, the political situation and last minute changes to itineraries caused by the security situation. This of course, has been in addition to the regular stresses and challenges of being responsible for a group of 35-40 sixteen year olds for three and a half weeks in Israel.

Remarkably, the chanichim have almost without exception had a fantastic time. UJIA felt, however, that it would be the responsible way forward to follow up with all madrichim on their return, to do the following:

a) To thank the madrichim
b) To acknowledge concern for the welfare for the madrichim
c) To see if there are any particular chanichim requiring follow up
d) To find out the extent to which Tour Providers/YMs/UJIA/taglit/other agencies and individuals were supportive to them and their chanichim before and during the time in Israel
e) To find out if the madrichim would like/need additional support/counselling etc now that they are home.
f) To find out whether the madrichim have any advice for UJIA regarding our handling of the situation, handling of the madrichim and YMs, and could this be improved upon for the future.
In addition, we agreed that a letter of appreciation and thanks would be emailed to all madrichim just prior to return. In the email, they were told that a named person (usually their UJIA contact) would ‘phone them within a couple of days of their return to debrief and check how they are.
What is the outcome of Israel Experience on a young person’s Jewish identity and relationship to Israel?
Author(s): Miller, Helena; Terret, Michelle; Shimron, Tamar
Date: 2013
Topics: Israel Experience, Israel Education, Israel Tours, Youth Movements, Main Topic: Education
Gap Year: Impact on our Jewish Journeys
Author(s): Scott, Karen; Miller, Helena
Date: 2015
Topics: Youth Movements, Israel Experience, Israel Tours, Jewish Students, Gap Year, Main Topic: Education
Abstract: Three previous research projects undertaken by the Research and Evaluation Department of UJIA between 2012 and 2014 have been re-analysed to extract anything relevant to identify the Jewish journey taken by key individuals within the Jewish community.

Gap year research data indicates that almost 40% of respondents who have been on a Gap year or Yeshiva/Seminary in Israel identify themselves as Modern Orthodox and almost 60% had also attended a Jewish school.

49% respondents stated they chose their Gap year organisation because they had previously been on Israel Tour with them and 65% regularly participated in their activities.

From those Gap year graduates amongst the Youth Commission respondents, more than 65% said they were currently involved with a Youth organisation. This is reinforced by nearly 60% of respondents to the Israel Experience survey who had also been on a Gap year stating they had attended a JSoc and a similar percentage were still part of their youth movement. 30% stated they had been fundraising for Israel or had donated to UJIA.

Most of the Gap year respondents felt that going on their Gap year had a positive influence on the likelihood to engage with the Jewish community in the future.

The respondents to the Israel Experience Survey (2012) who had also been on a Gap year, mostly thought their Gap year had been extremely important in shaping their Jewish life, even more so than their family or youth movement.

The Gap year research suggested that almost 70% of respondents, who had previously been on a Gap year, felt that the whole experience had positively affected their likelihood to make Aliyah.

16 individual stories from these previous research studies have been used to highlight some of the Jewish journeys completed by some of our leaders since their time on Gap year.
Israel Tour: Evaluating Our Impact
Author(s): Miller, Helena
Date: 2013
Topics: Israel Experience, Israel Tours, Israel Education, Jewish Youth Work, Youth Movements, Main Topic: Education
Abstract: What is the outcome of Israel
Experience on a young person’s
Jewish identity and relationship
to Israel?
• For the overwhelming majority of
respondents, Israel Tour is an extremely
positive experience.
• Over 80% of respondents state that their
youth movement experiences have had
a positive degree of importance in shaping
their Jewish lives.
• Israel Tour has had a stronger impact on
participants than previous family trips.
• As a direct result of going on Tour, the
majority of respondents stated that they
would be more likely to engage in activities
and life choices which further develop
their Jewish identity and their relationship
with Israel.
• Almost 60% of respondents have returned
to Israel at least once since Israel Tour.
Birthright: A journey of Jewish identity
Author(s): Kasstan, Ben
Date: 2012
Topics: Israel Tours, Israel Experience, Anthropology, Main Topic: Education
Abstract: This is the first study to explore the ways in which Jewish identities and identifications with Israel are fostered
in and articulated by forty British Jews participating in Taglit-Birthright, which is a free ten day tour of Israel.
Birthright is an institutionalised programme for young Jews from fifty-two countries around the world, which
proclaims the primordial link of the Jewish people and the land of Israel through two means; education and
experience. Birthright sits at the forefront of the current debate concerning British Jewry, and what it means
to be Jewish in the twenty-first century, as the programme admits an array of participants who fall beyond the
traditional ‘boundaries’ of Judaism in order to discover and create their own Jewish identities. This paper
serves as an interesting comparison to the American accounts that currently dominate the anthropological
discourse of Birthright, by contextualising the aspects of the tour which affected British participants most. It
will illustrate that the documents proving Jewish heritage, requested by Birthright organisers in the United
Kingdom but not in America, is indicative of the key difference between the two cohorts which harnesses
British participants from feeling Jewish. The work then focuses on the tochnit (‘schedule’), which enabled
participants to negotiate their Jewish identities by picking and choosing aspects of Judaism and Israel that
they could personally identify with. It then argues that Jewish rather than Israeli identifications were more
widely expressed amongst participants. Overall results demonstrate that ethnic Jewish identities, which
gravitate less around religiosity, became increasingly favourable amongst this sample of British Jewry. This
infers that Jewishness should be measured across a spectrum that encompasses the multifaceted nature of
Judaism in the twenty-first century.
Understanding the Jewish Identity and Experiences of Russian-Speaking Young Adults: A Study of the Taglit-Birthright Israel Generation
Author(s): Shain, Michelle; Phillips, Benjamin; Saxe, Leonard
Date: 2011
Topics: Main Topic: Identity and Community, Jewish Identity, Young Adults / Emerging Adulthood, Russian-Speaking Jews, Birthright (Taglit), Surveys, Israel Tours, Interviews
Abstract:

Hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU) and their children currently live in North America. The Jewish identity of the young adults in this group is a source of broad concern in the Jewish community. Taglit-Birthright Israel (Taglit), which provides 10-day educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26, is one program that has successfully engaged Jewish young adults with roots in the FSU. Drawing on draws on data collected in a set of surveys conducted approximately three months before and after the Taglit trips in summer ’07, winter ’07-’08, and summer ’08, as well as focus groups and in-depth interviews, this report paints a comprehensive portrait of Russian-speaking Taglit participants.

This report examines the sociodemographic characteristics, backgrounds and current Jewish and Russian identities and engagement of Taglit participants with roots in the FSU. It then examines their Taglit experience and the impact of the trip. Finally, the report explores potential avenues to engage this group’s unique Russian-Jewish cultural and linguistic heritage and draw them into American Jewish life.
Polscy uczestnicy w programie Taglit Birthright Israel. Założenia, realizacja, funkcje
Translated Title: Polish participants in the program Taglit Birthright Israel. Assumptions , implementation, functions
Author(s): Ciszewska, A.
Date: 2010
Topics: Birthright (Taglit), Educational Tours, Israel Tours, Main Topic: Education
Independent Longitudinal Survey into the Results Upon Jewish Continuity and Leadership Development Affected by Aish Fellowships UK
Date: 2003
Topics: Outreach, Israel Tours, Jewish Continuity, Main Topic: Education
Abstract: In 2003 MORI conducted five-minute telephone interviews with a random
sample of 258 Aish Fellowships alumni from a total database of 1,334
who attended the programme between 1993-2001.
The average time lapse between the survey and Fellowships participation for those questioned
was 3.1 years.
Professor Robert Worcester, Chairman of MORI, commented "These results from the MORI
research among those who have been involved indicate that the Aish Fellowships provide a
potent tool for effecting continuity in the Jewish community."
Moving Israel Education: Report About Israel Education Within the UK Jewish Community
Author(s): Ariel, Yonatan; Gringras, Robbie
Date: 2013
Topics: Israel Education, Israel-Diaspora Relations, Israel Tours, Youth, Main Topic: Education
Abstract: The foundations of Israel Education in the UK are sound.
 Participation in trips to Israel is higher than in nearly every country in the world.
 Commitment is deep and strong, and Jewish educational and communal
leadership in general are intelligent, nuanced, and realistic. The UJIA is an
established central body that now defines Israel education as its primary
mandate, and other organisations such as the New Israel Fund, The Jewish
Agency for Israel, Yachad, Zionist Federation to name but a few have Israel at
their heart.
The challenge for Israel Education in the UK is to bring the quality of its vision, reach, and
programming up to the level of those who lead, plan and fund them.