Program Reviews

If you're not associated with a youth group that has its own Israel program (e.g. Young Judea), and you're not particularly religious (i.e. not interested in a year of yeshiva study), there's few better options than Otzma.

The program's structure gives you experience in several locations/activities over the course of the year. And if you value the US-Israel relationship (as I do/did), representing your home community by volunteering in groups among Israel's disadvantaged is an invaluable experience.

Highly recommended; email me if you have any questions about my experiences or the program generally. benklafter@yahoo.com

OTZMA was such an amazing experience where I spent 10 months in different parts of Israel volunteering. It's hard to give you an idea of a day-to-day routine since each day was something different. To break it down, there are 3 tracks on OTZMA.

Track one is meant to help the group acclimate to life in Israel by learning hebrew, staying all together in a small city of Israel (for me it was Ashkelon but each year the location changes), volunteering a little bit, getting to know the community, and by attending education seminars.

Track 2 is when you divide into your partnership regions. Cities in the US (and all over the world) have partnerships with smaller cities in Israel. Since I'm from Chicago, I spent my track 2 in Kiryat Gat. In your partnership region you can volunteer in various fields. I personally decided to teach english at an elementary school, help tutor kids in High school, work at the community garden, and various other things. This was my favorite part of the year!

Track 3 is an internship or a kibbutz experience. I worked for StandWithUs - an amazing Israel advocacy organization.

And one of the most amazing things about OTZMA is the educational component. These seminars included topics such as "peace and conflict," "minority populations in Israel," and so many more!

When I look back at my 10-months on Otzma, I smile. There are some days when I wish I was still on our porch in Kiryat Gat or working in the Gan in Afula. My world and my future was sealed during those 10 months. My only regret, that the program was not longer. Had it been longer, I know that I would have stayed. From my adoptive Israeli family, to the friends I made, each day and each moment was an awakening. My career today is because of those experiences. I look forward to many more trips to Israel, because when you return to Israel it is like "coming home".

After completing college, I wanted to make an impact both in Israel and in myself. Otzma is a well run, well supported, and well organized program. There are a variety of service programs built into the 10-month experience. There is enough structure to be able to know you are making an impact. There is also enough free time to be able to experience the Israel and all that it has to offer.

Had an awesome year. Got to immerse myself in Israel and had plenty of time to travel and explore on my own on top of the volunteering. The program allows you to be very independent if you want to be, which I think is its best feature.

I participated in Otzma in the late 90s, but I know that the program has kept its integrity.

I had a wonderful experience. You are exposed to every corner of the country, education programs, people from all walks of life - and it is extremely fulfilling to volunteer.

From Kibbutz life working in an eyeglass lens factory, to scaling cliffs in the Golan on a hike - the experiences are diverse and exciting.

Every day into the program, you feel more comfortable with the country, until you call it a second home.

I would not hesitate to do it again - though this time it would have to be with wife and kids :-)

This program with OTZMA allowed me to make an impact not only in parts of Israeli society, but on myself. It offered me the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people, forge life-long friendships (I did the program over 20 years ago) and grow as an individual and member of my community. I would absolutely recommend this program!

Otzma was the perfect program for me to participate in following my graduation from undergraduate school. It allowed me the opportunity to meet other young adults with similar interests, spend truly meaningful time in a country I adore, and learn so much about another culture and about myself.

Project Otzma was/is one of those life affirming experiences. The age requirments are perfect in that during those formative years our core values, beliefs and the direction our lives are taking is being solidified.

The experience was at times amazing and joyful while at other times difficult and challenging. It is those experiences that you go through with your fellow participants and Israelis that make the program priceless. At different times throughout the program you work the land, navigate and experience "big" city life, work in business and connect with people.

If you are looking to "find yourself" and/or gain an experience that few others will have, then Project Otzma is for you. When you return and people ask you, "so, how was it?" and you smile and respond, "so, how much time do you have?". You will undertand the amazing gift you have just recieved.

Gordy Zacks, chairman of the R.G. Barry Corporation and former advisor to U.S. Presidents on Israel coined the term “defining moment”. My ten months in Israel as an OTZMA fellow was one continuous defining moment. Ten years after departing the United States for Israel as an OTZMA fellow, I still find myself reflecting on the greatest year of my life.
OTZMA opened my eyes to the Jewish Federation system and enabled me to serve as an instrument by impacting the lives of people in need in Israel. At the same time I developed a life long connection to Israel, a connection that has guided my career path and guides my passion.

One day I will never forget is the day I made a connection with a group of Ethiopian immigrants. Less than two hours before our meeting, they arrived in Israel for the first time. Many arrived with only the clothes on their backs. I worked with Jewish Agency staff to introduce them to their future – to introduce them to the land of Israel. Since that day I have dedicated my professional life to sustaining the global Jewish community and connecting people to Israel.

The passion I developed while on OTZMA gave me the energy to develop a teen trip to Israel for Jews, Christians, and Muslims for Jewish National Fund. The passion continues to fulfill me as a professional in the Jewish Federation system first in Philadelphia and in Monmouth County, NJ. Now I organize and lead Taglit Birthright Israel trips to continue the connection. Ten years later OTZMA is impacting my life and the lives of others. Thanks OTZMA!