M'ever LaYam

We understand the challenges of decreased identification and emotional investment in Israel by diaspora Jewish youth. In order to bridge the gap between young American Jews and Israel, M'ever LaYam aims to create real human connections between Americans and lone soldiers from their communities through the sharing of videos, the sending of packages, and meeting face-to-face. These soldiers and students share the same culture, memories from the same places, and even the same friends.

We hope to foster an environment of appreciation, love and support for all of our participants, and are committed to devoting our energy, passion, and resources to furthering the goal of creating a meaningful and lasting connection between Diaspora Jewry and Israel.

M'ever LaYam is comprised of structured connections for students to form a personal relationship with their soldier through monthly video updates and more. Two times per school year, participants send care packages with a value of up to $50 to their soldier along with hand written letters of encouragement and any home made items such as friendship bracelets, drawings, etc.
We believe that the best education is experiential education. Through forming relationships, writing letters, asking questions, raising tzedakah (charity) and fulfilling wishes, participants are engaging with Israel on many different levels. Each age group, whether middle school, high school or college, will be able to take away different meanings from their experience. This program is not politically affiliated and is not attached to any lesson plans. Therefore, educators are free to frame the program in a way that best suits their community.

We work with over 40 communities across the West Coast to implement the program.

We've connected over 60 soldiers to an equal amount of communities across the United States in our first launch year. In year 2, we have an additional 35 soldiers that signed up for the 2018-2019 school year from the West Coast alone.