Masa Israel Journey CEO Meir Holtz spoke at the Israel Hayom summit in New York about the organization's work and the experience it provides to young adults from around the world. Masa was established about 20 years ago to bring participants to Israel for long-term educational and volunteer programs.
"Masa was founded to give young people from abroad a meaningful and lasting experience in Israel," Holtz said. "Over the years we have brought more than 20,000 participants to a wide range of programs, many of whom go on to shape the future of the Jewish people."
Video: Masa Israel Journey CEO Meir Holtz
Holtz noted that a significant portion of participants ultimately settle in Israel. "Thirty percent of Masa participants make aliyah, but that is not the most important goal. It is just as important that our graduates stay engaged with Israel and with the Jewish community. One in five young adults returns to America to work in a Jewish organization, and for me that figure is no less remarkable than the number who choose to immigrate to Israel."
He acknowledged the concerns many young adults abroad are facing. "I think many in our generation were very worried about what would happen with the next generation, what it would do and how it would look. People talked about the TikTok generation, people who were not particularly involved. And to be candid, October 7 created a lot of polarization within the Jewish community. Many are distancing themselves from Israel, but others are looking for connection, wanting to engage and find new ways to come."
The widening divide, he said, is troubling Jewish communities. "We see many people who are afraid to identify with Israel or who do not feel sufficiently connected to it. But I think we are also seeing growing numbers of people who are pushing in a positive direction toward Jewish identity. The challenges are there, so let us seize the opportunity. We need to make sure that the worst tragedy to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust was not in vain."
