Staff + Supervision

Staff + Supervision

YALLAH! Israel has operated outstanding summer and semester programs in Israel for over 65 years.

Throughout, Yallah! Israel has earned a well-deserved reputation for aspiring to provide the highest standard of health, safety and security in all its youth travel programs. Over six decades, we have always placed the welfare of young people entrusted to our care above all other considerations and are highly responsive to ever-changing needs and conditions.

Staff Supervision

Many Yallah! Israel Rosh Edot (unit heads) are Israeli staff who served as Shlichim (ambassadors) to various Jewish communities within the United States, many of which attended our URJ Camps and have worked with us prior. Each Rosh Edah has years of experience working with teens, a love of Reform Judaism and extensive knowledge of Israel and the North American Jewish community. Unlike many other programs, Yallah! Israel insists that senior group leaders are mature adults (25 and older) who truly understand the depth of responsibility for the well-being of younger people entrusted into their care. Yallah! Israel Rosh Edot participate in an intense training covering every aspect of their responsibility for young people.

Additionally, many of our Rosh Kvutzot (bus leaders) are also alumni of Reform Synagogues, NFTY, as well as our URJ Camps. Our Rosh Kvutzot are all 23 and older and go through training with us in addition to already having leadership experience and a background working with youth.

Yallah! Israel tour guides are all licensed tour guides and educators with us in previous summers. Yallah! Israel guide-educators know how to bring alive the history of Israel and how to effectively communicate with North American teens. Many Yallah! Israel guide-educators are themselves products of the Reform Movement.

Summer Staff Overview

Staff-to-participant ratio is approximately 1:10. There are always at least 3 staff members with each bus.

  1. Bus Leader (Age 23+)
  2. Two or more Counselors (Age 20+)
  3. Counselor-in-training (Age 19)

All staff members participate in a thorough staff training orientation covering issues of education, health, safety, security, community building and adolescent issues.

Edah (Unit) – Each group travels on their own bus in an edah with up to 2 other groups. A Rosh Edah travels with the Unit to supervise the program, consult the staff, deal with discipline issues and offer extra support to staff and participants. 

Senior Leadership – Yallah! Israel staff are supervised by senior URJ Youth professional staff in Israel and North America.