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How outdoorsy do I need to be to hike the Israel Trail? This program is intended for anyone who is physically fit and up for a challenging experience. 580 miles of hiking no matter how you do it is not to be taken lightly. That said, hiking itself will be moderate for the most part, but you will be carrying a backpacking pack and backcountry gear with you. Some of the overnights during hiking days will entail camping outdoors. We ask that 70 liter backpack. You will have the opportunity to store an additional piece of luggage that you will have occasional access to along the way, in the event that you want to swap seasonal clothing or store/retrieve any personal items. Details on types of gear to bring will be provided in a packing list several months before the start of the program. During hiking days, food will often be organized and cooked communally -- always with vegetarian options. On non-hiking days, participants will largely be responsible for their own food. The Israel Trail program is designed for 21-30 year olds. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please note that MASA funding does not apply for participants younger than 18 or older than 30.
While some of the programming will be optional, most of it will be mandatory -- including the Ulpan Hebrew immersion classes. Participants are required to take part in all official programming and may be responsible for financial penalties if they do not participate according to the terms of the MASA funding agreement that every participant signs as part of the MASA funding application. Don't worry, the program already includes plenty of free time for you to explore Israel on your own.
The Israel Trail program is open to English speakers who are age 22-30 and who are Jewish. The program is also open to participants from around the world. Additional MASA eligibility rules apply if you wish to receive MASA funding.
Israel Pathways is open to Jewish people of all backgrounds. Our organization has no political or religious agenda whatsoever other than to foster a greater sense of Jewish identity (however one defines it). That being said, we want everyone to feel comfortable no matter what their Jewish observance level. Accordingly, all meals provided during the program are kosher, and the program does not entail any driving (or hiking) when a weekend excursion falls over Shabbat. Yes, although we do not offer it as a standard option, participants who want to participate in two separate Israel Pathways programs over a 10-month period will be accommodated, and the larger 10-month MASA grant will be applicable in this situation. Contact us for details.
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