1 The cost of raising your kids Jewish- Its gotten insane. You are correct. I understand that good programing costs money, we need to accept that. (We must also think about what a post birthright crowd will do when they are asked to spend money on being Jewish after receiving a free trip. Perhaps you should also blog on that) But your post was in reference to a new Israel program and I must point out that if you do the math this program isn’t cheaper they just include much less. They are like an airline that charges you for a pillow or for extra legroom. So not cool. Buyer beware!

2. Yes the full cycle of an experience. Some programs have orientations which are expensive to run but are meant to enhance the overall experience. Yes Year Course does this, no Aardvark and others do not. So clearly Year Course is more committed to the overall experience.

3 Competition is terrific in many ways, but only when it is clean and friendly competition, from what you read in the papers its not clear that what these former employees did was ethical or moral.

4. Niche programing is a wonderful thing when its done well. Makom did a study that showed how experiencing Israel through the lense of a special interest will strengthen your experience. That’s why the nich programs are so important. Also today’s kids need an opportunity to try on new hats and to commit to advancing their expertise in an interest. These programs allow both to happen. I spoke to someone who did an interest track with Year Course and they seemed to have the most amazing year because of it.

5. No, the right amount of falafel balls are in the pita. An immersive Israel experience is a fundamental component of comprising a stronger Jewish Identity. I stress Immersion, it must be a MASA program or a teen summer trip that is over a month long for it to have a real meaningful impact.

Keep writing we all love your stuff

It is crazy expensive to get the best Jewish education between day schools, summer camps, and Israel trips. Some people say, “hey, why not move to Israel and get free day school!” In my opinion, not EXACTLY true…if every Jewish kid were in essence going to day school, we wouldn’t have people who don’t know who Ben-Gurion was or why we light the candles. There are Americans who can’t find America on a map, it’s not because they don’t go to school. Education is expensive if you don’t do it in the home from a young age.

Follow-up is critical but the longer (and thus more immersive the program), the less follow-up the participants need; or at least they’re more likely to stay involved and seek it out themselves. Birthright-it’s critical. A MASA program? Much more likely to be internalized in the person.

The individual aspect is controversial among the Young Judaean old farts but Keith, to his credit (or not, depending on who you talk to), has kept up with the times better than anyone. He didn’t invent the ipod/me-first/on-demand generation, he just catered to it. Compared to the experience *I* had years ago, it doesn’t compare in the eyes of us old farts. But if we step back, they have some many more opportunities here in Israel than we ever did. Marva (army), travel to Ethiopia, working for Magen David Adom….are you kidding me? The kibbutz movement is pretty much dead in Israel. Sad but true-so these programs are just mirroring society for better or worse.

Ok, that’s all I got for now….