One of the most transformative experiences of my life

I was a Yahel fellow in 2018-2019 and lived in Lod. I loved my experience, my cohort, the amazing staff and community members I worked with. Yahel is extremely thoughtful in how they designed their program, interact with the community and create partnerships. My year with Yahel was transformative and is a main reason I have changed my career from medicine to social work, specifically community organizing.

Yahel is intentional with the speakers they have talk to us and seminars we go on. They expose fellows to a variety of people in your specific community and throughout Israel, who all have their own experiences, perspectives and feelings. They created a brave space for us to have difficult conversations, ask questions and challenge eachother.

I always felt supported by staff. When I got really sick, staff called the doctor for me right away and make sure I was seen. When I had to go to the emergency room, different staff members stayed with me all 18+ hours and advocated for me since I did not speak fluent Hebrew. I was completely covered for both experiences by their insurance. Living abroad for 9 months can be difficult at times and when I was struggling mentally, the staff supported me 100% in any way I needed. Both my city director, fellowship director and executive director took time to talk with me, invited me into their homes and provided me with resources.

I still keep in touch with my cohort and have visited many of them, as we have moved around the world. Overall, Yahel is a deliberate program that can provide you with
a vairety perspectives and experiences that you will likely not have access to otherwise. It is an astounding program and I recommend it to anyone looking for an unique opportunity to learn and who is ready to immerse themselves into a different community.