Inclusive Israel Travel for Teens in the Pluralistic Setting of BBYO’s Passport to the World Program Jocelyn Orloff

Project Summary Feasibility study for Passport to the World Program to create an Israel trip inclusive of typical teens and teens with special needs Examined existing opportunities for teens with special needs Created draft itinerary and recruitment suggestions Examined Judaic sources on special needs Developed budget for 10, 12 and 14 day trips Provided recommendations for pilot year of program based on research

Need Assessment What currently exists for adults?: What exists for teens?: – NFTY Trip pilot year – Ramah Tikvah – Yad B’Yad No Pluralistic trips

Background and How this Trip Fits with the BBYO Model and Initiatives Stand Up for Each Other Campaign Individual community inclusion of teens with special needs Provide meaningful Jewish experience for typical teens Attract and involve more Jewish teens Fits with Pluralistic mission to provide diversity and depth to BBYO opportunities

Goals of Trip Serve an underserved community Establish life long friendships Provide typical teens with meaningful experience Further engage in Jewish life and continuity Engage while participants are in high school rather than as adults Utilize the model of inclusion rather than needs specific trip

Feasibility Participants – 25 total with special needs typical teens Potential challenges with recruitment and desire to keep group at an intimate size, thus keeping number low – 3 staff members- highly trained – Teens must be high functioning and it is preferable that they have experienced an inclusive environment in the past – Typical teens recruited from BBYO and local organizations with interest in participating in an inclusion program

How? 10 days for pilot trip $3800 per participant without grants or scholarships – Possible additional money at local federations, grants, and local offices 3 activities per day 3-4 bases for travel

2 Examples of Sample Itinerary Day 2- Monday What We Bring to the Table Welcome to Israel – Shecheyanu at the Haas Promenade overlooking the Old City Shopping time leading into lunch program Lunch- Machne Yehuda Market “What we bring to the table” Tour Virtual Second Temple Model at Davidson Center Kotel Text study on Inclusion in Judaism at Kotel Depart for Tel Aviv Check in & Dinner at hotel Evening activity at hotel Overnight- Tel Aviv Day 3- Tuesday Independence Breakfast at hotel Independence Hall Discussion on what does it mean to declare independence Activity on independence- reflection and expression of what it means personally and for the group Pizur Lunch Nachalat Binyamin- Explore the art of Israel Show at Nalaga’at Center in Tel Aviv Return to Hotel Overnight-Tel Aviv Note: Tracks included on other days with more active options

Conclusions and Evaluation Possible barriers include financial and recruitment The creation of this experience is in line with BBYO’s mission and values and will equally benefit BBYO and the participants BBYO’s Passport to the World can accommodate this trip and the best practices visited in this project can aid in its formation