Prior community involvement and 'Israel experience' educational tours

The Israel Experience is a short-term, informal educational programme which brings Jewish youth from other countries to Israel. The purpose of the programme is to instil in Diaspora youth stronger ties with Israel and their Jewish identity. Almost all participants already have some connection with a Jewish community. The programme reinforces and strengthens, rather than radically changing, the attitudes and opinions held by the participants toward Israel and Judaism. There is a positive correlation between this prior affiliation and satisfaction with the programme. Community activities and formal Jewish schooling serve both as preparation for the educational tour and as a framework in which the experience can be understood and integrated.