In July 2025, a ceremony marking 20 years of I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) was held at the President of Israel’s Residence in Jerusalem.
The event took place in the presence of the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, and his wife, Michal Herzog, under the auspices of the “Replacing a Word- The President’s Initiatives for a Shared Israeli Tomorrow.” Participants included the President of I Belong. Israel, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eliezer Shkedi; the organization’s Founder and CEO, Uri Cohen; the Head of the Society and Youth Administration at the Ministry of Education, Gur Rosenblatt; representatives of the Ministry of Education; donors; educators; alumni of the journeys; and their families.
Over the years, I Belong. Israel has worked in close partnership with the Ministry of Education, particularly with the Society and Youth Administration. Their joint activity constitutes a central pillar in education for identity, belonging, and mutual responsibility.
During the ceremony, the ‘I Belong. Israel Award’ was presented to President Isaac Herzog, as a token of appreciation for his partnership and support of the organization’s educational and social work. The award was presented by student representatives from I Belong. Israel journeys from Merhavim High School, Danziger High School in Kiryat Shmona, and Bar-Ilan High School in Givat Shmuel.
Since its establishment in 2005, more than 450,000 participants—students, soldiers, teachers, and communities from Israel and around the world—have taken part in I Belong. Israel. To date, over 3,000 journeys have been held, each characterized by a unique personal experience and a single overarching goal: strengthening young people’s sense of identity, belonging, and engagement in Israeli society. Over the course of six days, participants undergo a series of formative experiences, including traveling through Israel’s landscapes and visiting sites of heritage and Zionism, alongside dialogue circles focused on values, identity, and mutual responsibility, encouraging sharing, attentive listening, and respectful discourse.
President Isaac Herzog said:
“The greatness of I Belong. Israel lies in its ability to enable everyone to feel part of the story and, מתוך a sense of connection, responsibility, and partnership, to take an active and central role in writing new and hopeful chapters in our story as a nation. This message- which has profoundly changed and influenced education in Israel—has a key role today. We are in a formative, historic period, in which one can clearly see the deep contribution of I Belong. Israel to the people and the state. Thank you all for your immensely important contribution to Israeli society, and I sincerely hope that your unique spirit will continue to inspire and strengthen us.”
The President of I Belong. Israel, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eliezer Shkedi, shared that the person who persuaded him to join the organization was his youngest son, who had participated in the journey. He said:
“What makes I Belong. Israel unique is the way—dialogue circles that enable young people to listen, to contain, and to understand those who are different from them, and to arrive on their own at an understanding of their values. It is an experience that awakens awareness and changes perspective. The circles keep expanding—students, soldiers, nonprofits, families—tens of thousands are exposed to the journey each year, along with their families. And in every national crisis, from COVID-19, through October 7, and into the war with Iran, the people of I Belong. Israel step forward wholeheartedly and create inspiring solutions in a complex reality.”
Shkedi added:
“When I think about the future of the state, I am optimistic because I know the younger generation and believe in them wholeheartedly—right and left, religious and secular, all together. The core value of I Belong. Israel is bringing hearts closer, and this is also the most important mission we have today as a society.”
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Education and Head of the Society and Youth Administration, Gur Rosenblatt, said:
“The partnership with I Belong. Israel has proven itself over the years through value-based, meaningful, and wide-ranging educational work. Since the outbreak of the war, the organization has also become a central partner in the emergency framework we operate at the Ministry, leading programs and activities that provide responses to populations affected by the war.”
Rosenblatt added:
“I Belong. Israel is a model organization—professional, precise, and dedicated. Every mission, no matter how complex, is carried out with full responsibility and a deep sense of purpose.”
Among the speakers at the ceremony was Shaul Pashbilsky Shaulov, the father of Maj. Tal Pashbilsky Shaulov, of blessed memory, who fell in June 2024 in Gaza. Tal z”l participated in I Belong. Israel as a student at Makif Tet High School in Ashdod, an experience that proved formative for him:
“The Israeli journey was a turning point for him. It ignited his passion for more meaningful service, for giving and for leadership. Tal, who had been aiming for an intelligence unit and even studied Arabic in order to be accepted, decided following the journey that he wanted to serve in a combat unit and join one of the elite reconnaissance units. A week after I Belong. Israel, he had already begun training in a combat fitness group,” his father said, adding:
“I Belong. Israel is one of the most important and moving educational projects in Israeli schools. Like Tal, many young people encounter there themselves—along with the values they want to live by, a sense of belonging, and the desire to contribute and take responsibility.”
