The following is a list of off-campus opportunities that the UPZ recommends:

“Peace, Pluralism & Social Justice” Israel Trip

The Union of Progressive Zionists partners with New Israel Fund and IsraelExperts to bring you an amazing Taglit-Birthright Israel opportunity! The “Peace, Pluralism and Social Justice” triannual trip, which is a free gift from Taglit-Birthright Israel, is designed for those looking to experience both Israel’s beauty and its complexity, as they grapple with the challenges facing Israel and the Jewish people as a whole.

The trip explores domestic, social and political issues as well as larger questions of a just and lasting peace in the region. Participants will:

• Explore Israel’s major cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
• Visit New Israel Fund grantee organizations and see their important work
• Meet diverse politicians, peace activists, educators and journalists
• Learn about NGOs working for social justice and peace in Israel
• Climb Masada, visit the Israeli Knesset, swim in the Sea of Galilee, and float in the Dead Sea
• Understand the contributions and needs of different sectors of Israeli society - Ethiopian, Russian, Mizrahi, Bedouin, Arab and more.

You are eligible for a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip if you are between the ages of 18-26 and have never before been to Israel on a peer education tour. Registration for summer trips will open in February 2009 so if you are eligible, send us an email <info@upzshalom.org> and we’ll contact you as soon as the trip registration opens.

WUJS Israel Hadassah

WUJS Israel Hadassah provides the ultimate Israel Experience for young Jewish adults from around the world. Newly based in the simultaneously ancient, historic and modern cities of Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, WUJS Israel Hadassah provides you with the opportunity to combine study, volunteering and professional internships all within a dynamic, safe environment. Whether you want to study the Hebrew language, volunteer with special needs children or find an internship in one of Israel’s leading companies or organizations, the WUJS Israel Hadassah program will give you the framework to succeed. For more information, please visit: www.wujsisrael.org.

Habo U – Semester Abroad in Haifa

Run by Habonim Dror North America, one of the founding organizations of the UPZ, the Habo U Program is a combination of personal education, communal education and working for social change in Israel in an urban collective. The program is divided between academic class at Haifa International School, work, volunteer placements, group seminars and Tiyulim (trips). Group seminars, tiyulim, and volunteer placements organized by the Habo U staff will supplement the academic work. Participants are welcome to attend for either a year or a semester.  For more information, visit www.habonimdror.org/programs/habou.html.

Arava Institute For Environmental Studies

Students explore a range of environmental issues from a regional, interdisciplinary perspective while learning peacebuilding and leadership skills. Studies at the Arava Institute are international in scope, with a student body comprised of Jordanians, Palestinians, Israelis, North Americans and others. The Arava Institute gives Jewish, Arab and other students a unique opportunity to study and live together for an extended period of time. In so doing, our students build networks and understanding that will enable future cooperative work and activism in the Middle East and beyond.  The Arava Institute offers semester and yearlong undergraduate, a master’s degree and summer courses.  For more information visit www.arava.org/new/academics.

MASA to the East

An amazing 5-month semester abroad program that offers you language studies in Hebrew and Arabic!  Live on Kibbutz Barkai, study and work with experts from Givat Haviva- an institute for the furthering of peaceful relations and equality between Jews and Arabs in Israel.  In addition to Hebrew and Arabic classes, you will gain a better understanding of Middle Eastern, Jewish, Minority and Zionism studies.  You will also volunteer with coexistence projects, gain important leadership skills and more! Generous scholarships are available from MASA for any program that is 5 months or longer. For more information visit www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org.