Higher Education Initiatives

The Opportunity Before Us

This moment represents both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity. By addressing the informational, practical, and emotional gaps, Israel can position itself as a premier destination for Jewish students worldwide. At the same time, Israeli universities stand to gain from the diverse perspectives, academic talent, and long-term connections that these students bring. Our work is about building the infrastructure—both inside universities and in the U.S.—to make this vision a reality.

 

Our Approach

We begin by educating students, parents, and advisors about what’s possible. From there, we provide transitional programs that prepare students for success, strengthen their on-campus experience, and create community connections that sustain them. Finally, we work at the institutional level—partnering with universities, funders, and government to align Israel’s higher education system with global trends and future needs.

To put this approach into action, we are:

• Opening clear pathways for American Jewish students with the support and values-aligned options they need.

• Strengthening Israeli universities to attract international talent.

• Mobilizing donors and influencers to invest in values-driven higher education.
   

The Gaps We Identified

 In shaping these initiatives, we identified three recurring gaps:

• Informational – Families often lack basic knowledge of Israeli higher education opportunities, pathways, and requirements.

• Practical – Application processes, academic expectations, and age norms differ sharply from the Anglo experience, creating friction and uncertainty.

• Emotional – Students without strong support networks risk feeling isolated, which can lead to disengagement or dropout.
   

Core Initiatives:
From Transitional Programs to Systemic Support — A Holistic Model

Our work began with transitional language programs at Israeli universities, helping Anglo students build Hebrew proficiency while adapting to academic life. These revealed the need for a much broader framework.

We now operate across six categories of initiatives:

• U.S. Awareness Campaign & Higher Education Resource Hub – A marketing effort and online hub designed for students (ages 13–18), parents, and advisors. The Hub provides directories, application guidance, curated academic pathways, and resources on Sherut Leumi, army navigation, and professional opportunities. Dedicated staff liaisons offer personalized guidance, making Israel an accessible option. (TheFutureIsCalling.Org)
   

• Targeted University Grants – Funding transitional programs at Bar Ilan, JCT, Technion, Ben-Gurion, and Tel Aviv University, enabling English-speaking students to begin with English tracks and intensive Ulpan before moving into full Hebrew programs.
   

• Student Guidance & Exposure Initiatives – Engaging U.S. college counselors through trips and resources, run academic planning workshops for gap-year students in Israel, and are piloting a 10th-grade Israel program, Nelech, with Ohr Torah Stone, to introduce American students early to Israeli culture, language, and academics. Together with Mizrachi, we are also establishing a Sherut Leumi Center to guide young women pursuing service and study in Israel.
   

• Transitional Language & Academic Support – Beyond university programs, we support Ulpan and Hebrew immersion during gap years, giving students the tools they need for success in Israeli classrooms.
   

• On-Campus Support & Student Life – Partnering with JLIC, we are strengthening community hubs at Israeli universities. These serve as social, educational, and resource centers for both Israeli and Anglo students, building a sense of belonging and long-term commitment.
   

• Institutional Research & Strategic Alignment – Using insights from our U.S. campaigns and student experiences, we analyze where Israeli universities align (or misalign) with global trends. This data helps institutions sharpen strengths, address weaknesses, and remain competitive internationally.
   

Together, these efforts reduce obstacles, close gaps, and offer a clear vision: Israel can become a thriving higher education destination for Jewish students worldwide, while building stronger universities at home.