Gap Year
MasaGo Academy Israel
Duration
6 Weeks
For Ages:
17-19
Segment:
Gap Year
Duration
6 Weeks
For Ages:
17-19
Segment:
Gap Year
About the program
Tlalim Israel Academy
Six weeks in Israel.
21 December 2026 – 31 January 2027 | 6 Weeks | School Graduates
Travel across Israel, volunteer, hike, explore Israeli society and build lifelong friendships with other young Australians.
From Jerusalem and the Galilee to the Negev, Arava and Tel Aviv, Israel Academy combines adventure, Jewish identity, community and meaningful experiences across the country.
Run by Tlalim Group, in partnership with Masa Israel Journey and supported by the Zionist Federation of Australia.
Experience Israel differently
This isn't just about seeing Israel. It's about experiencing it.
Over six weeks, participants travel together as one group, combining hiking, volunteering, touring, Shabbat, Israeli culture and opportunities to engage with the people and communities that make up Israel today.
Highlights include:
Three-day desert trek through the Eilat Mountains
Volunteering across Israel
Jerusalem's Old City, Yad Vashem & Mount Herzl
Tzfat, the Galilee & Golan Heights
Arava community experience
Masada & the Dead Sea
Tel Aviv & Jaffa
Shabbat experiences across Israel
Israeli society & geopolitical learning
Free weekend with family or friends
The six-week journey
Week 1 | Jerusalem & the North
Jerusalem, Machane Yehuda, the Golan Heights, hiking, Jeep tour and Tzfat.
Week 2 | Galilee & Jerusalem
Volunteering, Akko, Rosh Hanikra, Druze communities, Jerusalem's Old City and Yad Vashem.
Week 3 | The Negev & Eilat
A three-day desert trek, Eilat and Shabbat at Kibbutz Ketura
Week 4 | The Arava
Community experiences in the Arava followed by a free weekend.
Week 5 | Israel Today
The Gaza envelope, volunteering, Bedouin culture, Masada, the Dead Sea and geopolitical learning.
Week 6 | Tel Aviv & Volunteering
Volunteering, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israeli innovation and the program's final experiences together.
Israel Academy is built around five core goals:
Knowledge
Understanding Israel, Judaism, history and contemporary society
Identity
Strengthening personal Jewish identity and connection to Israel
Encounter
Meeting the diverse people and communities of Israel
Land
Experiencing Israel through hiking, touring and exploration
Community
Building a strong group and lifelong friendships
Everything you need to know
Dates & Eligibility
Duration: 6 weeks
Dates: 21 December 2026 – 31 January 2027
Cost & Masa Scholarship
Full program cost: USD $9,025
Masa scholarship: USD $3,150
Participant cost: USD $5,875
Flights are not included.
The subsidised price is dependent on eligibility for the Masa scholarship. Participants who are not eligible are responsible for the full program cost.
Accommodation & Meals
Participants stay in youth hostels or approximately 3-star accommodation, generally in rooms of up to four.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided
Safety & Security
Participants are supported throughout the program by an experienced team, including:
Licensed English-speaking tour guide
Two group madrichim, including at least one Australian
Certified armed first-aid responder and security officer
The group is monitored by the Ministry of Education's Security Room, with activities and itineraries adjusted according to safety, security and weather conditions.
Free Weekend
During Week 4, participants have a free weekend and are hosted independently by their own family or contacts in Israel.
Accommodation, meals, logistics and safety arrangements during this weekend are the family's responsibility.
During Week 4, participants have a free weekend and are hosted independently by their own family or contacts in Israel.
Flights
Flights to and from Israel are not included in the program cost.
Participants meet the group in Israel at the beginning of the program. Families are responsible for flights, including any changes that may be required due to security or itinerary changes.
Registration & Payment
12 October: Registration + USD $1,000 deposit
15 October: Final program confirmation
31 October: 50% payment due
21 November: Full payment due
If the program does not proceed due to minimum numbers not being reached, deposits are refunded in full.
Ready for six weeks in Israel?
Explore. Volunteer. Connect. Experience Israel together.
Join a group of young Australians for six weeks designed to challenge you, connect you and give you the opportunity to experience Israel in a completely different way.
Questions?
Tal Hadad, Program Director
Nadia Giselle Vainstein, Registration
*prices subject to change
Want to know more?
Tell us a bit about yourself and we'll be in touch to talk through your options and next steps.
Tell us a bit about yourself and we'll be in touch to talk through your options and next steps.
The experience was truely unforgettable
Aardvark Israel has helped shape and strengthen my Jewish and Israeli Identity.
I was able to live like a local and experience the ins and outs of Israeli culture with so many unique experiences.
The diversity of the programming allowed me to experience it all the tiyulim, the classes, the travelling and of course the Shabbatons.
Corey
Aardvark Israel
10/10 recommend
My time with birthright was nothing short of incredible, it's curated to help create a sense of closeness to your group, our people and our land. The memories, feelings and connections I was able to forge with the help of birthright have been life changing.
Rafael
Birthright Classic
Best Year Ever
Limmud was amazing I got to meet new people and make new friends. I got to experience Israel and everything in it. I grew as a person and it really prepared me for going home!!!
Jeremy
Limmud
I learnt more about myself, Judaism and Israel
My experience on Limmud was beyond incredible and I gained so much. I learnt more about myself, Judaism and Israel, all whilst developing the most special friendships.
Ariella
Limmud
An experience that shaped my life
The best balance of fun, growth, amazing experiences and lifelong friends!
Tasin
Limmud
Meaningful volunteer experience
My 6 week volunteering program was incredibly meaningful and enjoyable. It really felt like we were making a tangible impact on communities and people through a variety of volunteering opportunities.
Ayden
Masa Volunteers
The Memories, feelings and connections I was able to forge have been life changing.
In Their Words
