In 2014, Y2i (Youth 2 Israel) set out with the primary goal of increasing participation in Year 10 Israel programs. By providing discretionary subsidies of up to $5,000, Y2i wanted to broaden the scope of students eligible to attend these life-changing trips by lessening the financial strain on families.
Our purpose is to invigorate Jewish students’ connections to Israel and help them become a part of the wider Australian Jewish community. Y2i endeavours to help Jewish youth develop their own understanding of religion and Israel during their formative years. Research has shown that Israel-based experiences of four weeks or more with fellow sixteen year olds are one of the major determinants of Jewish continuity.
Participants
%
Participation of students at Jewish schools
%
Increase in participation of students at non Jewish schools
Y2i’s aim of helping Year 10 Israel programs become more affordable has seen a significant uptake in participation, with over 2,000 students having participated in Y2i approved programs since 2014. These programs include the four NSW Jewish Day Schools and BJE, who provide the opportunity for students from non-Jewish Day Schools to attend a Year 10 Israel program.
Since Y2i’s inception, Israel program attendance for Jewish Day Schools has increased to 9%. In 2022, BJE has sent their largest ever contingent of 125 non-Jewish Day School students from NSW, ACT and QLD to Israel – a 373% increase since 2014.
Each year the number of students participating in Year 10 Israel Programs continues to rise. While the participation rate in the Jewish Day Schools is now very high, improving the non-Jewish Day School student participation in the BJE Israel Program remains a high priority for Y2i.
In 2023 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.
The survey was designed to evaluate the impact Year 10 Israel programs had on alumni’s attitudes, knowledge and behaviours toward Jewish life and Israel.
Latest News
Y2i Manager
Y2i is seeking a passionate and organised Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our communally significant Israel education initiative.
Photography Project 2026
We’re sure you had an amazing time on your Israel program, and we would love to see what inspired you, moved you, made an impression or really wowed you during your time in Israel.
Enter the Y2i Photography Project now
Photography Project 2025
We’re sure you had an amazing time on your Israel program, and we would love to see what inspired you, moved you, made an impression or really wowed you during your time in Israel.
Enter the Y2i Photography Project now