Masa Shinshinim
Represent Your Community
Put Your Leadership Skills to the Test!
Masa Shinshinim is an exclusive and highly subsidized program designed for American high-school graduates who are currently engaged in their community and are selected to represent it in Israel. Masa Shinshinim will give you the chance to be a Shinshin representing Pittsburgh, in Israel—and then come back to Pittsburgh to share your experiences and put them into action at home!
What are Shinshinim?
Shin-Shin (pronounced sheen-sheen) is a Hebrew acronym for Shnat Sherut, or year of service. Shinshinim are Israeli high-school graduates who choose to postpone their army service in exchange for a year of service in Jewish communities around the world.
Shinshinim bring Israel to the rest of the world.
Masa Shinshinim bring their parts of the world to Israel!
What You'll Be Doing
1
September
One Month Orientation with your fellow Shinshinim in Pittsburgh
1
October
One Month in Tel Aviv with a cohort of North American Shinshinim from other communities
4
Nov. - Feb.
Four months in Karmiel/Migav region in Israel, Pittsburgh's Partnership2Gether region
3
March - May
Three months in Pittsburgh bringing your experiences home to make an impact
Making a Difference Through Leadership
You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Make a meaningful difference through volunteer work in places such as schools, daycares, youth movements, cultural centers, information educational centers, and more
- Work with Israeli Youth Leadership groups, representing and educating about the Jewish diaspora
- Host delegations from overseas communities
- Learn Hebrew in Ulpan
Enjoy cultural programming such as:
- Host family: fully immerse yourself in Israeli life by getting to know an adoptive family from Karmiel/Misgav
- Trips: travel throughout Israel on monthly trips with other Masa Shinshinim
- Special training and certifications, such as Magen David Adom
Let's Break it Down
Are you eligible?
- You must be Masa-eligible (have not been on a long-term program in Israel previously)
- High school graduate/college-bound
- From Pittsburgh and can commit to being in Pittsburgh both for the entire month of September 2021 for orientation, and upon your return, between March and May 2022
- Between the ages 18-20
What is the cost?
- $2649 plus airfare
- This program is generously subsidized by Masa Israel Journey, the Israel Scholarship Program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, and Partnership2Gether of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
What is included?
- Accommodations and supervision in Tel Aviv
- Housing in an apartment building in Karmiel that serves as an absorption center for new immigrants and has 24 hour security and will provide 3 meals a day
- Medical Insurance
- Entrance Permit & Visa
- Staff support and supervision throughout the experience in both Pittsburgh and Israel
