The NFTY High School in Israel - Eisendrath International Exchange (EIE) is named for the late Rabbi Maurice N. Eisendrath, past president of the World Union of Progressive Judaism and, for over a quarter of a century, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now the Union for Reform Judaism, the congregational body of Reform Judaism in the United States and Canada. The initial program was established in 1961 by the youth arm of the Reform movement, the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). Many of the leaders of Reform Judaism today are alumni of this program.

Since 1961, EIE has undergone many incarnations and has had significant growth and now provides a transformative experience for nearly 140 students each school year. To understand the impact this program has on its participants, it is best to hear it directly from them and their parents. Richard Mann, a past EIE participant reflected on his time at EIE; “I have had the experience of a lifetime and this journey has definitely helped shape who I am and who I want to become. My Jewish ideals have strengthened since I have been here. I have met many great people, Israelis and Americans, who I know I will remain friends with throughout my life.”

EIE is a semester long program for high school students in grades 10-12 in Israel. Each student’s home high school warmly endorses EIE and welcomes the opportunity to have their students participate in an international educational program. NFTY-EIE High School in Israel is an intensive academic program and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

EIE is based on Kibbutz Tzuba which is nestled in the Judean Hills outside of Jerusalem where the students live in dorm style housing. While students attend EIE for four months, they take an advanced Jewish History class to become immersed in the study of the history, culture and land of Israel, an advanced Hebrew Ulpan and their regular general studies courses to fulfill the requirements of their home high schools in very small classes. EIE offers a wide array of courses including Honors and AP courses and is capable of teaching any course that is not listed in our program catalogue. We also offer a specially designed PSAT and SAT prep course and many students take the PSAT, SAT, SAT II, ACT and AP exams while they attend EIE.

The EIE students have a unique opportunity to benefit from experiential learning. They take field trips, or tiyulim, to visit whatever they are learning about in their Jewish history class. Approximately 3 days a week are spent out of the classroom and on field trips such as these. There are also numerous week long trips that the students take during the semester. They travel to Poland where they study the Holocaust, they spend a week in Gadna, a simulated Israeli army training experience, they hike across the country from sea to sea in the north, and much more! April Block-Baird when reflecting on her time at Gadna said; “One [experience] that will stay with me forever is our week-long Gadna training. Not only was it a motivating experience but it also showed me and a lot of my friends just how crucial it is to have an army whose sole purpose is protecting the Jewish people.”

Are you tired of just looking at pictures in your history text book? This fall or spring semester, take your own! After it’s amazing success last summer EIE is offering its second EIE summer session!

Contact Lori Lasday, Director of Admissions, with any questions: llasday@urj.org or 212-650-4073