Young Adults

The Young Adult Leadership Forum (YALF) is a framework for young adults in the 20-30 age range (particularly students in higher education) interested in exploring and developing a pluralistic Jewish way of life.

Operating as part of the IMPJ’s Communities Department, YALF offers activities in diverse fields – study, experience, festival and memorial events, social and public involvement and dialogue activities. Participants are encouraged to examine issues relating to their Jewish and Israeli identity through exposure to diverse opinions, approaches and experiences.

YALF offers young Israelis a fresh perspective both on the options open to them in developing their own identity and way of life, and on public issues such as the relations between religion and state. Dialogue and study activities promote an understanding of the complexity of Israeli reality, helping to overcome stereotypical attitudes. YALF fosters a sense of commitment to the Jewish People as a whole, and to the State of Israel, in a manner and from a perspective that can appeal to young liberal Israelis.

YALF runs activities in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion and Haifa, based around university campuses and IMPJ congregations in these cities.

YALF offers diverse programs and activities at the different centers, including:

• Regular programs: Study sessions; creative and musical Kabbalat Shabbat programs, etc.; public activities (e.g. demonstrations in favor of pluralism). These programs take place throughout the year.
• Festival programs: YALF develops innovative ceremonies and programs – Seder Tu Bishvat, workshops, tours, etc. relating to the Jewish festivals and memorial days. The approach is to reveal aspects of the Hebrew calendar that relate to the participants’ lives.
• Batei Midrash: ongoing study series around a particular theme. The participants study with a regular counselor; guest lecturers are also invited.
• Short-term study programs: Mini-series of 3 or 4 study sessions on a common theme, generally relating to an aspect of modern Israeli society.
• Dialogue programs: Encounters with various groups in Israeli society: other streams of Judaism; Israeli Arabs; “Green” organizations; the lesbian and gay community and others.

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