From June 9 to Aug. 3, 36 Jewish college students or recent graduates from or living in Greater Cleveland ventured to Tel Aviv through Onward Israel’s partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood.

Teaching English in Beit Shean, Israel proved to be an amazing and overwhelming experience for Sarah Marek - something that will stay with her for the rest of her life.

If you are a young Jewish Clevelander interested in Israel travel experiences, we have 3 great ways to get you to Israel this summer. Applications are being accepted now. Join us!

Dr. Maya Lugassi is the senior director of Pedagogy and Professional Development at Beit Yatziv, one of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) educational partners in Israel. She recently traveled to Cleveland as part of a delegation of Israeli educators, administrators, and municipal leadership to learn from Cleveland STEM education experts on ways to further implement STEM curriculum in Israel’s geographic and socio-economic periphery, including Cleveland’s sister community of Beit Shean and the Valley of Springs.

I first heard about the Masa Israel Teaching Fellowship (MITF) just before I graduated from Ohio University. Joining Hillel on campus was my first real Jewish experience; I felt a new sense of pride in myself and my heritage. That also pushed me onto the path I am now. After graduating, I reached out to the Federation and they encouraged me to participate in the program in Beit Shean, Cleveland’s sister city. I am so happy I did! It’s such a unique experience and to be able to live in Beit Shean – not many people get to do that.

Jewish Clevelander Anna Lowenstein is spending 10 months in Cleveland's sister city of Beit Shean, teaching English to Israeli students through the "Masa Israel Teaching Fellows" program. Read an excerpt from her travel blog below:

Jewish Clevelander Ali Hamilton shows us a full day at a Haifa, Israel public elementary school with footage of teaching, students, and school life. Ali is a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow, spending 10 months volnteering to teach English to Israeli students.

Israel's Channel 2 News meets the Beit Shean Masa Israel Teaching Fellows! MITF is on a 10-month post-college volunteer program where exemplary college grads teach English to Israeli students.

For his mitzvah project, a Beachwood boy enlists help of local sports teams to cheer and support at-risk

In 1995, a small group of people associated with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland went on a scouting mission to Israel. That weeklong trip turned into a 20-year partnership with Beit Shean and Valley of Springs, resulting in numerous new programs and initiatives and impacting thousands of people.