After a brief hiatus, Nativ is back and ready to meet the needs of today’s emerging leaders.
The Conservative/Masorti Movement is proud to launch a leadership gap year in Israel starting in September 2026, through partnership with Aardvark Israel, a proven provider founded by a Nativ alum which has facilitated more than 2,300 students on Israel gap year programs.
Since pausing the program, Nativ has been completely reimagined. Through valuable insight from educators, parents, and teens, we discovered a need for more “adulting” instruction for independent living, more opportunities for college credits, and more chances to make an impact through meaningful volunteer/internship experiences. By partnering with an established provider, we can leverage shared resources to deliver competitive pricing and an exceptional experience for our young adults, while still providing a uniquely Conservative/Masorti environment.
Nativers will spend a full academic year in Israel, with a semester each in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Students will experience an immersive Hebrew ulpan to supercharge fluency, robust academic courses accredited by an American university, engaging volunteer/internship opportunities, and exclusive leadership training rooted in Conservative/Masorti values.
During the program, students will live in apartments fully equipped with kosher kitchens. They will enjoy an egalitarian shomer-Shabbat community with ruach-filled Shabbaton retreats to deepen their spiritual experience and holiday gatherings to celebrate haggim. They will also have access to exclusive study opportunities at Masorti institutions.
And that’s not all: Nativers will also have the opportunity to join weekly tiyulim (field trips) across Israel and short international trips with students on other tracks of Aardvark Israel. This is truly a gap year like no other.
To make this launch as successful as possible and to limit barriers to entry for our first cohort of this new Nativ, we intend to raise $130,000 in scholarship funds. We have already raised $80,000 from generous USCJ donors. Can we count on you to help us reach our remaining goal?
Together, let’s empower the next generation to step into leadership roles and make a difference! Click here to donate and invest in the future of our youth.
We can’t wait to embark on this transformative journey together!
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