Israel Approves ‘Teachers’ Program

A program to bring Diaspora teachers and community leaders on a subsidized educational trip to Israel has gained government approval.

Netivey Masa, or Masa Pathways, is a joint government-Jewish Agency project that is intended to finance a majority of the expense for such trips.

Dubbed the “teachers’ birthright,” the idea came to the government’s attention through the Massachusetts-based Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation.

The Lappin Foundation sent some 200 teachers on such trips, demonstrating the viability of the enterprise, according to government officials.

Israel allocated a $500,000 grant to the program, to be matched by the agency, with additional funds to come from participation fees from the teachers and their communities.

The cost per participant is estimated from $5,000 to $12,000.

“This is historic,” said cabinet secretary Ovad Yehezkel, one of the architects of the initiative.
“For the first time, the State of Israel will be funding a long-term project to help Jewish education abroad. The teachers will be guests of the State of Israel,” Yehezkel said.