At a moving ceremony hosted at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, the pioneering educational organization I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) marked two decades of transformative work: 20 years of walking Israel’s trails—and even more importantly, walking into the hearts of its youth.
The event, held at the end of July 2025 took place in the presence of President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, under the auspices of the President’s initiative Exchanging Words – Initiatives for a Shared Israeli Tomorrow. Attendees included Eliezer Shkedi, President of I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) and former IDF Air Force Commander; Uri Cohen, the organization’s founding CEO; Gur Rosenblat, Head of the Youth and Society Administration at the Ministry of Education; senior educators, donors, alumni, guides, and their families.
During the ceremony, students from schools in the Negev, Kiryat Shmona, and Givat Shmuel presented President Herzog with the “I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) Award,” honoring his longstanding partnership and support for the initiative.
“The greatness of I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli),” President Herzog said in his address, “is its ability to make everyone feel part of the story, and from that sense of connection, responsibility, and partnership—to take an active role in writing new, hopeful chapters in our national journey. We are living in a formative moment in history, and I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli)’s contribution to the people and the state is clearer than ever.” He concluded with a prayer for the safe return of Israel’s hostages.
From a Summer Camp in Hungary to a National Educational Movement
I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) was founded in 2005 by educators and community leaders, including Uri Cohen, then a Jewish Agency emissary. At a European summer camp, Cohen recalls noticing the emotional gap between Diaspora teens who spoke passionately about their bond with Israel, and Israeli teens who expressed feelings of detachment and alienation. That gap sparked the idea for a new model of education.
The result was I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli): a six-day journey across the country that doubles as an inner journey of self-reflection, dialogue, and exploration of identity, belonging, and mutual responsibility. Since its founding, more than 450,000 participants – students, soldiers, teachers, and Jewish communities worldwide – have taken part. Last year, the organization inaugurated the I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) Village in Jerusalem’s Emek HaArazim, expanding its reach and deepening its impact.
A Model of Education
Over the years, the program has evolved into a recognized Israeli educational model built around six circles of identity—from the individual and family to the community and nation. Traditional classrooms give way to outdoor trails, grades are replaced with dialogue, and teachers with facilitators.
“I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) is defined by its method,” said Shkedi at the ceremony. “Dialogue circles allow teens to listen, embrace differences, and discover their own values. It’s a consciousness-shaping experience.”
Shkedi added: “I am optimistic about Israel’s future because I know this generation. Right and left, religious and secular—together. Bringing hearts closer isn’t just a value, it’s our most urgent national mission.”
Gur Rosenblat of the Ministry of Education highlighted the organization’s expanded role since the war, noting its work with thousands of displaced children from Gaza border and northern communities, “It’s dedicated, professional, and profound educational work, and its impact is felt everywhere.”
Circles of Influence: From High School to the Battlefield
One of the ceremony’s most emotional moments came when Shaul Pshebilski Shaulov shared the story of his son, Major Tal Pshebilski Shaulov, who fell in Gaza in June 2024. Tal, a high school student in Ashdod when he joined I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli), was profoundly influenced by the experience.
“The journey sparked his passion for meaningful service, for giving, and for leadership,” his father recalled. “Though he had planned to join an intelligence unit, after I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) he chose to become a combat soldier and was accepted into an elite unit. A week later, he was already training.”
“Like Tal,” he added, “countless young people discover their values, their sense of belonging, and their responsibility to the people and the state through I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli).”
Looking Ahead
I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) has received prestigious awards and international recognition, even advising the UN on identity education. But its founders say the journey is only beginning. Their vision is to bring the language of Masa – a language of listening, empathy, and mutual responsibility – into every school, every community, and even to Jewish youth in the Diaspora.
As the ceremony concluded, participants were reminded, “Identity, belonging, and love of the land are not destinations. They are a journey. And those who believe in the path never stop walking.”
Written in collaboration with I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli)