Israeli Pedagogy
I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) operates according to Israeli Pedagogy developed by the organization’s educational team. At the core of this pedagogy lies a unique connection between content dealing with personal, social, and national identity and powerful experiential activities that amplify the impact of the journey.
Core Components of Israeli Pedagogy
- Dialogue Circles– emerging from a collection of journey-based identity experiences, grounded in the here and now. These circles are characterized by dialogue with participants rather than to participants; an egalitarian, inclusive, and enabling conversation in which all participants are equal, engaging in value clarification and taking responsibility for those values.
- Guidance Integrating Wayfinding and Group Facilitation– the guide is an integral part of the circle, not an external authority.
- Partnership and Leadership– participants are at the heart of the journey and serve as the central focus of both the circle and the dialogue.
- Intensity– an immersive experience of Israeli identity, beginning at sunrise, requiring effort, commitment, and active participation.
- Simplicity– from which a powerful and transformative journey experience emerges.
- A Dynamic, In-Depth Process– personal and group-based, growing organically from the participants themselves.
- Emotion– learning grounded in emotional engagement combined with authentic experience.
- A Unique Connection Between Content and Experience.
- Identity-Challenging Activities– translating values into action.
Pedagogical Foundations
Israeli Pedagogy addresses two interrelated dimensions. The first explores what resonates with Israelis — identifying their needs for meaningful learning. In parallel, it develops unique pedagogical responses that motivate non-formal learning, an educational approach with which many participants have had little prior experience. Based on this pedagogy, journeys have been developed in recent years for diverse audiences, including adults, management teams and employees in business organizations, NGOs, and communities in Israel and throughout the Jewish world.
The Journey: Six Circles of Identity and Belonging
The days of the journey are dedicated to exploring and clarifying the various circles of identity and belonging that shape each participant. Traveling through the land serves as the framework for examining one’s relationship to each of these six circles.
The I Belong. Israel- Masa Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: The Individual – Personal goals and aspirations
Day 2: The Group – Cooperation and communication skills, group interaction
Day 3: Community – Volunteer activities in underprivileged areas, the power of giving
Day 4: The Land of Israel – Our story begins long before 1948
Day 5: The State of Israel – Connection and commitment to the State of Israel
Day 6: Jewish identity and Connection to the Jewish People
A comprehensive exploration of Israeli Pedagogy can be found in the book “Masa Israeli” by Prof. Gad Yair, published by Yedioth Books.
