New partnership will provide Masa fellows and alumni with tools to manage antisemitism
Jerusalem/ New York, NY, April 9, 2024 … The Masa Israel Journey, a leading provider of immersive travel experiences, and ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today announced a new partnership to combat antisemitism in Jewish communities. This partnership will launch at an event in Jerusalem for Masa gap year program fellows, during which ADL will lead sessions to help fellows prepare to manage antisemitism on college campuses.
Through the partnership, ADL will provide Masa Israel resources, specialized training for staff and interns, educational opportunities in Israel, enhanced reporting resources for fellows and alumni, and co-facilitated webinars for alumni.
"Joining forces with Masa Israel Journey represents a powerful alliance in our fight against antisemitism,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “By equipping Masa fellows and alumni with the necessary tools and resources to counter antisemitism, we are empowering the next generation of Jewish leaders to stand up against hate, protecting Jewish communities worldwide.”
This partnership comes as antisemitic incidents are skyrocketing. Recently, an ADL survey revealed anti-Jewish attitudes are at an all-time high, with 24-percent of Americans harboring extensive antisemitic prejudice, up from 20 percent in 2022. In January, ADL released preliminary data finding a total of 3,291 antisemitic incidents between Oct. 7 and Jan. 7, a 361-percent increase over the year prior, putting 2023 on track to be the worst year since ADL started tracking this data in the late 1970s.
“This partnership between Masa and the ADL is very important, especially now,” said Yael Sahar Rubinstein, Acting CEO of Masa Israel Journey. “ADL has a lot of knowledge and experience to share with our fellows. This partnership is a crucial step for Jewish communities around the world. It will help to build an even stronger community of leaders and it will encourage Jews to stand up for themselves and for what is right. Now more than ever, our fellows and alum need the skills to fight antisemitism in their next stages of life, and this partnership will greatly help them attain those tools.”
Masa alumni often become Jewish professionals, activists, and community leaders. A study [link] conducted by Impact:NPO found that 62 percent of Masa alumni describe themselves as active members of local Jewish communities, and one-in-five work in the Jewish world.
About ADL
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.
About MASA
Masa Israel Journey offers life-transforming, long-term opportunities in Israel that allow Fellows to shape their own future. Masa fosters an environment where Fellows are encouraged to strive towards their personal and professional destinations both during and after their program in Israel. Masa assists in shaping a promising future for the young Jewish individual and the global Jewish community. Fellows can choose from a variety of Masa products, which are: Masa Career, Masa Gap, Masa Israel Teaching Fellows, MasaTech, Masa Academic Fellows, Masa Jewish Studies, and Masa Aliyah Prep.More at www.masaisrael.org