The NFTY High School in Israel ‑ Eisendrath International Exchange 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.

Program Goals 

The purpose of the NFTY-EIE High School in Israel is to provide an opportunity for outstanding high school students to spend a semester in Israel under the sponsorship of the Reform Movement. This experience is intended to develop young leadership and to increase Jewish knowledge and commitment to Jewish life and learning. The goals of the NFTY-EIE High School in Israel for our students are:

• To complete a rigorous general studies, college prep courses to set students up for success when they return to their home schools
• To prepare students for standardized testing such as the PSAT, SAT, SAT II, ACT and AP.
• To develop a love of Jewish learning and to teach and strengthen feelings towards Judaism, Jewish History and the Jewish people.
• To build their Jewish self‑esteem and to enhance their personal identities as Reform Jews.
• To give them a better understanding of and appreciation for Israel, Zionism, and Progressive Judaism in Israel.
• To assist them in developing Hebrew language skills.
• To sharpen their awareness of international issues.
• To foster independence and maturity while living away from their home environment.
• To immerse them in Israeli society by living with and meeting Israelis involved in the Reform Movement in Israel.
• To enable them to develop leadership skills that will serve them as they become role models for their temples, youth groups, URJ camps and the Jewish community in general.