Y2i (Youth 2 Israel) was established in 2014 to maximise the number of Year 10 students who go on a transformational Israel education program.
Whether from Jewish day schools or non-Jewish day schools, Y2i provides an opportunity for all Jewish students to experience Israel at the pinnacle of their high school education.
Y2i provides discretionary subsidies of up to $5,000 to eligible Year 10 students from NSW, ACT and QLD with at least one Jewish parent, making participation in an approved Israel education program more affordable. These Israel experiences of five weeks or longer are a life changing journey of Jewish identity, that support Jewish continuity in our local community.
Year 10 Israel programs are only the beginning of their Jewish journey, both at an individual and communal level. They are stepping stones to a greater understanding of self, our religion, connection, and the broader Jewish community.
Our People
Y2i Operations Board
Y2i Operations Limited is managed by a Board of Directors who have devoted themselves to enhancing the Australian Jewish community. Acting as advocates for future generations of diasporic Jewish youth, our Board’s collective extensive communal experience helps drive Y2i’s success.
They are:
- Jeremy Dunkel (Chair)
- Darren Chait
- Talia Dorfan (Observer)
- Lani Franks
- Yair Miller OAM
- Peter Philippsohn OAM
- Ron Weiser AM
Donor Representatives
Y2i has a group of donor representatives from our five major Jewish communal partner organisations. Together they reflect the interests of the Jewish community and highlight the broad support from local and Israel focused organisations for Y2i. Their key role is to oversee the management of Y2i funds.
They are:
- Jason Eisner | President, JNF NSW
- Robert Goot AM SC | Past President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry
- David Ossip | President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
- Stanley Roth AM | Life President, UIA NSW
- Ian Sandler | President, JCA
Staff
Y2i has a small team of dedicated professional staff who manage the day to day operations of the organisation.
They are:
- Rachel Swartz | Y2i Manager
- Jenna Fisher | Y2i Coordinator
- Talia Horwitz | Y2i Coordinator
- Sharon Philippsohn | Continuity Appeal Manager
Our Partners
Y2i is truly a communal initiative. We have the support of, and representation from, the five major NSW communal organisations – JCA, UIA, JNF, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, and Jewish Board of Deputies (NSW). By coming together, we are able to collectively address one of the biggest issues facing our community – Jewish continuity.
Latest News
2023 Year 10 Israel trips have been postponed
Unfortunately, all 2023 Year 10 Israel trips have been postponed. All of the Jewish schools and BJE are planning programs for both Years 10 and Year 11 in late 2024.
Y2i 2023 Continuity Appeal postponed
With the awful situation currently unfolding in Israel, we are postponing our Y2i 2023 Continuity Appeal and cancelling all Y2i events scheduled for October
Rosov Consulting Report – Y2i: Building Jewish Lives, Building Sydney’s Jewish Future
Y2i commissioned Rosov Consulting (a leading international consulting firm that evaluates Israel programs) to undertake a large-scale longitudinal follow up study of our 2015 and 2016 Y2i alumni. Here are the results.