You have questions? We’ve got answers! Our most frequently asked questions are answered below. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please email info@israeloutdoorsnext.com.

WHAT IS MASA ISRAEL TEACHING FELLOWS?

A 10-month, hands-on service program which brings exemplary college graduates from English-speaking countries to teach English in Israel. Our goal is to address Israel’s educational achievement gap and the widespread underperformance of youth in low-income communities.

WHO FUNDS IT?

Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is made possible by the generous support of Masa Israel and the Ministry of Education of the State of Israel. Masa Israel is a joint venture of The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel.

WHAT IS THE COST?

Fellows are responsible for paying $1,000 for the full 10-month experience. However, you will be compensated for your work during the program. Certified teachers will earn a monthly stipend of 4,000 NIS (about $1,150 USD) and will, after initial training, teach their own English classes. English teaching assistants (non-certified teachers), will earn a monthly cash stipend of 1,750 NIS (about $500 USD). You will also be reimbursed up to $1,000 for the cost of your flight upon completion of the program.

The $1,000 program fee includes accommodations, Hebrew classes, teaching training, health insurance, trips to explore Israel, and other enrichment activities. Note that if your flight to Israel was provided by Birthright Israel, you must submit documentation of your return ticket home to be reimbursed for your flight.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible for the subsidized terms of the program, you must:

• Identify as Jewish
• Have completed a bachelor’s degree before the start of the MITF program
• Not have Israeli citizenship OR if you do, you must have left Israel before the age of 14 and have lived outside of Israel for at least four consecutive years prior to receiving a Masa Israel grant or scholarship
• Have not been on an organized post-high school program (including an academic program) of more than four months in Israel since September 2004
• Have not spent four consecutive months or longer in Israel within the 24 month period prior to the start of your program after the age of 18

NOTE: Applicants who have received a Masa grant in the past or participated in a four month or longer Israel program are eligible to participate in Masa Israel Teaching Fellows but are not eligible for the Masa grant. The cost of participation for prior Masa grant recipients is $5,500. However, those ineligible for the grant *are* eligible to receive the full teaching stipend and flight reimbursement.

WHAT IF I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE GRANT?

If you have participated in a four-month or longer Israel program, then you are not eligible for the $4,500 discounted fee. You are still eligible to participate in Masa Israel Teaching Fellows, but you will be responsible for the full $5,500 total cost of the program. You are still eligible to receive the teaching stipend and flight reimbursement.

WHERE IS THE PROGRAM BASED?

Israel Outdoors NEXT hosts Masa Israel Teaching Fellows in the cities of Netanya (beach town), Be’er Sheva (desert town), and Jerusalem (Israel’s capital).

HOW DOES ROOMING WORK?

Single rooms are included in Netanya, and for an extra fee in Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva. During the initial orientation period, you will get to know your fellow participants, and you can decide who you will live with during your time in Israel.

CAN I PARTICIPATE WITHOUT LIVING WITH THE GROUP?

No, living together with fellow program peers is a central and required component of the overall experience.

WHO WILL SUPPORT ME DURING THE PROGRAM?

A full time field coordinator is available to assist you during your time with Israel Outdoors NEXT. Your local staff is backed up by a larger team at our headquarters in Or Yehuda, near Ben Gurion Airport.

WHAT WILL MY DAILY SCHEDULE BE LIKE?

You will work in your school four days a week (Monday – Thursday) for at least five hours a day.

WILL I HAVE DAYS OFF AND VACATION?

Fellows are committed to working  at least 4 days a week. You will get all school and Israeli holidays off (there are many!). If you need to take off additional days beyond the school holidays, you will need to obtain special permission – and it’s possible this could affect your stipend. You will also get up to 15 sick days (no more than 3 per month and doctor’s notes are required). If you need to take a sick day, you will have to notify your city coordinator the day before and obtain a doctor’s note. If, for family reasons or medical reasons, a Fellow needs to go abroad and be absent from school, special permission is required and relevant documentation will be necessary. Note that this may affect your stipend and grant. Just like in any job, deviation from allowed number of vacation and sick days may be cause for program participation to come under review.

WHAT TRAINING WILL I RECEIVE?

To prepare you for the classroom, Fellows receive orientation in educational methods and teaching English as a foreign language, created and led by Israel’s Ministry of Education. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening your skills as a leader, communicator, and educator and improving your experience in the classroom. Participants take part in mandatory full-day training seminars at least once per month (a total of 10 training days plus two enrichment days). All Fellows must attend all orientation days to maintain you fellowship status. All Fellows must attend all training days to maintain you fellowship status.

WHAT’S THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

It’s easy to sign up. The full process is explained here.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY?

Admission for Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is on a rolling basis. We are currently accepting applications from exceptional candidates. Don’t delay – space is very limited and we do expect to reach full capacity!

DO I NEED A VISA TO PARTICIPATE?

Yes, you will need to apply for an A-2 visa to participate. Learn more at Getting Ready.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE?

We posted some general guidance on how to get ready for the program ahead, and more specific pre-trip preparation information will follow once you have signed up.

WHAT OTHER RULES SHOULD I BE AWARE OF?

Inappropriate behavior, drug use, violence, danger to other participants or oneself, criminal offense, and any out of ordinary discipline problem will lead to immediate removal from the program. Remember that failure to complete the full 10 month program will mean you will not be reimbursed for your flight. If you do not complete the program you may be asked to absorb some of the cost of the grant you received.

Before we can welcome you to the Israel Teaching Fellows program, you’ll need to follow this 5-step process:

STEP #1: Check your eligibility

Take a moment to ensure you meet the basic criteria of the program:

• Identify as Jewish
• Have graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree
• Not have Israeli citizenship OR if you do have Israeli citizenship, you must have left Israel before the age of 14 and have lived outside of Israel for at least four consecutive years prior to receiving a Masa Israel grant or scholarship
• Have not been on an organized post-high school program (including an academic program) of more than four months in Israel since September 2004
• Have not spent at least four consecutive months in Israel after the age of 18 within the 24 month period prior to the start of your program

STEP #2: Start the application!

Registration for the 2021-22 session of Masa Israel Teaching Fellows with NEXT is open! Space is limited so save a spot now!

STEP #3: Application, interview, and forms

• • We’ll connect with you via email to set up a phone call so that you can get to know us and we can get to know you.
  • You’ll need to submit a medical clearance form and obtain a background check.
  • Once you have completed Step #3, your information will be sent to the Israel Ministry of Education for official acceptance.

STEP #4: Pay the program deposit and fill out the Masa grant

Once you have been accepted by the Israel Ministry of Education, you will submit a $300 program deposit and submit an application for a Masa grant. The remaining $700 program fee must be submitted three months prior to the start of the program. If you are already within the three month period prior to the program’s start, the full balance is due within three weeks of being accepted. Once you have submitted payment, you will complete the Masa grant application, which subsidizes the rest of the program cost.

STEP #5: Obtain a visa and book your flight

• Book your flight
  You’re responsible for booking your own flight and will need to send us your flight details in order to receive a flight reimbursement of up to $1,000. We will notify you of the date by which you need to submit your flight information. Flight reimbursements will be dispersed after the conclusion of the MITF program.
• Obtain your visa
  Since you’ll be in Israel for more than three months, you’ll need a special A-2 Visa which is easily obtained at your nearest Israeli embassy or consulate (no cost). We recommend starting the visa application process 60 days prior to your arrival in Israel.

Detailed pre-trip preparation materials will be provided once the above steps are completed as you get set for the program.

Talk to us!