The New Israel Fund’s Global Activism Fellowship is a one-of-a-kind trip to Israel and the occupied territories to meet activists on-the-ground and learn about these issues in-depth and we want you to join us!
On the trip, you can expect to:
Connect with leading Israeli and Palestinian activists and learn about how various human rights and social justice struggles intersect
Meet with Mizrahi activists fighting racism against their community
Meet Palestinians in the West Bank and hear directly about their experience living under occupation – while also learning about Israeli human rights organizations who work to end it
Delve into social justice issues, like the struggle for the rights of African asylum seekers, the fight for public housing and against gentrification, and more
Get an up-close look at the reality of East Jerusalem and visit an unrecognized Bedouin village
Learn about the assaults on Israeli democracy and meet the activists working to preserve it
This trip is a great opportunity to learn alongside peers and friends (ages 21 – 35). NIF is based on the simple idea that those of us who share a commitment to Israel and to progressive values can join together to work for equality, freedom, and human rights. You will join a global cohort of participants from the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia, who will have the opportunity to connect with each other and with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the ground.
Following the trip, participants are expected to organize at least two NIF events in their communities with support from NIF’s Young Leadership & Education Coordinator Zak Witus. These events could include: a “report back” highlighting the participants’ learnings from the trip, educational events featuring NIF grantees, or something else entirely that is tailored to the needs of the participants’ home communities.
The program is subsidized by generous donors in the NIF community. All “on-the-ground” costs – your accommodation and most meals – will be covered by NIF. If selected, participants are responsible for purchasing their own airfare and travel/health insurance.
For more details, contact [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does this trip exist?
The times are changing. More and more young Jews are demanding that when they visit Israel on organized trips, they encounter the complex realities, including the occupation, that are central to understanding Israel today.
Showing these realities to young people isn’t new for NIF. It’s baked into our DNA.
We understand that young people are eager to engage with an Israel that isn’t whitewashed or sanitized. That’s because they’re asking the same questions about fairness, equal rights, and social justice in Israel that they ask at home. They’re eager to build relationships with their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts on the basis of shared values, and they’re eager to work alongside the activists and leaders advancing human rights, equality, and justice.
What are the trip dates?
Who is the program for?
The program is for young adults (ages 21–35) who are able to demonstrate leadership experience, a commitment to NIF’s vision and values, and skills or professional expertise that they are interested in developing and applying to advance a just, equal, democratic, and pluralistic Israel.
No previous participation in NIF events or within the NewGen community is required.
Who else will I be traveling with?
What is asked of me as a participant?
What do participants receive?
- First-hand experience and in-depth knowledge of NIF’s issue areas, grantees, and projects throughout Israel
- An opportunity to play a role in advancing positive social change in Israel
- Opportunities to meet and build relationships with Israeli and Palestinian activists and leaders from the human rights and social change community
- Networking opportunities to forge connections and partnerships with Israeli, Palestinian, and international peers and leaders, and to join an international community of like-minded activists
- Platforms for leadership and speaking opportunities within the American Jewish community and NIF’s networks
What are you looking for in participants?
The program is open to outstanding people, ages 21-35, who can demonstrate the following:
- Active engagement with Israel, preferably including having traveled to Israel previously and possessing a solid understanding of the issues affecting Israeli society
- Skills and experience in leadership and activism, and a keen interest in applying these within the American Jewish community
- Professional and/or voluntary experience relevant to the planning and execution of effective activities in areas such as fundraising, communications, and community organizing
- A strong affinity for NIF’s values and mission, and a desire and ability to act as ambassadors for NIF
What is the application process and timeline?
Check back in July for info about 2024 application.