Welcome to ‘I Belong. Israel’ (Masa Israeli)

‘I Belong. Israel’ is a leading educational organization dedicated to strengthening personal and collective identity and fostering a sense of belonging to the Jewish people, the land, and the State of Israel. Its flagship program, “Masa Israeli”, is based on “Israeli Pedagogy”- an approach combining dialogue circles, experiential challenges, meaningful encounters, and hands-on volunteering that brings values to life.

The organization is led by President Major General (Res.) Eliezer Shkedi and Founder & CEO Uri Cohen, and has received the Knesset Speaker’s Quality of Life Prize and the Jerusalem Prize for Zionist Education. On Israel’s 72nd Independence Day, CEO Uri Cohen lit the official Independence Torch on Mount Herzl.

‘I Belong. Israel’ runs journeys and programs for diverse audiences in Israel and worldwide, including teens, IDF soldiers, wounded veterans, and corporate and community groups. Since 2021, the organization has also operated summer and holiday camps for thousands of students from Israel and Jewish communities abroad.

In 2022, I Belong. Israel received the Tur Sinai Farm in Jerusalem, establishing there its new home- the ‘I Belong. Israel Village’.

Meet the People Behind the Journey (The Masa) >For more information about I BELONG. ISRAEL >

Meaningful Journeys 2,730

Schools from Across Israel 520

Participants 485,000

Years of Activity 20

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“Strengthening the values of Zionism and Judaism among our youth and expanding the ‘I Belong. Israel’ program is one of the Ministry of Education’s most important objectives.”

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister

“The goal of I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) is to help everyone feel part of the Israeli story.”

Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel

‘I Belong. Israel’ is the heart of our education. Through hands-on experienece, ‘I Belong. Israel’ is strengthening the Jewish, Zionist, and Israeli identity of our youth.”

Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister

“’I Belong. Israel’ is a fundamental building block to Israel’s resilience.”

Moshe Yaalon, Former Minister of Defense

“For years I defended Israel as a soldier. Today, I believe that we must also invest on the educational front. Equally important to Israel’s resilient future is a strong Jewish and Zionist identity.”

Gen. (res.) Eliezer Shkedy, 'I Belong. Israel' President

In memory of Rabbi Lord J...

Masa Israeli mourns the death of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, member of the International Board of Masa Israeli and in rec...

“Since I returned from the ‘I Belong. Israel’ (Masa Israeli) journey I have become a kinder and more tolerant individual, a more active citizen, a more knowledgeable Jew and a person who without a doubt is more motivated to defend and serve the State of Israel.”

Neta, student

“‘I Belong. Israel’ (Masa Israeli) engages Israeli youth at the most pivotal stage in life – prior to their service in the IDF, prior to adulthood, helping them to understand their role in Israel’s complex society and instilling Zionist, Jewish, and pluralistic values.”

High School Head Master, Dimona

Our Journeys