Reflections

“Since arriving, I have never stopped learning to think critically about Israel and the conflict. Every day, whether it is at the school, Hand in Hand, on trips throughout the region, or having meaningful conversation at home with our program leaders, I have always felt respected for sharing my beliefs. I knew I chose a challenging program but I never thought it would reward me up to a life-fulfilling journey.”
- David, Achvat Amim Spring 2014

“In my opinion there is no other program that offers such a holistic first-hand experience of the history, cultures, and politics involved in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Achvat Amim has a large network of passionate people and has built a solid learning environment. It is a nourishing and creative project."
- Nicole, Achvat Amim Spring 2015

"[It's] not only a chance to learn about different narratives in this region, it is also a chance to learn more about yourself in group scenarios... I really enjoy this work, within Achvat Amim, there are always new people to meet and many conferences to go to. In the past week, I observed the Palestine-Israel Journal Conference, and participated in The Jewish Agency's Conference 'The Gaza Conflict: What's eating young Jews?' I followed my intuition, and chased after my wandering soul. I wanted to challenge myself, to learn more, and to know more."
-Hope, Achvat Amim Fall 2014

“Achvat Amim stretches and opens up your mind, and it really encourages you to take action toward what you believe in and what you want to make better in the world."
- Sho, Achvat Amim Spring 2015

"... Critical learning has not only sharpened my own analytic skills, it’s given me a profoundly new and exciting perspective on Palestine/Israel… One of the greatest challenges but also sources of inspiration has been living communally; building a Kvutza [group], which at first may seem to have little in common, and slowly day-by-day coming to appreciate how differences can enrich my life and how these differences can create the foundation for relationships that I know will last a lifetime. It's very hard work, but the payoff is immense and it gives me the energy to engage in the kind of Social-Justice focused work that I came here to do!"
-Mischa, Achvat Amim Spring 2014

"This is an experience that will stay with me wherever I go in the future. It has challenged me, made me think critically, required me to give a lot of myself trusting that i would receive support, friendship, feedback, and knowledge in return... Achvat Amim has connected me to this place and the people here in meaningful ways, which I hope to build more and cherish throughout my life."
-Sara, Achvat Amim Fall 2014

“This program is amazing at creating a situation in which you are supported and empowered to do what you want to do and grow the ways that you want to grow. Come on this program if you are open-minded, curious, non-dogmatic, and ready to have your brain expanded. Take in all you can in order to come as close to the complex truth as possible. And have a lot of fun while doing it!"
- Liat, Achvat Amim Spring 2015

"Achvat Amim is a lifestyle; it is a certain way of looking at the world. It is an opportunity to live, volunteer, learn and grow in a supportive environment. Achvat Amim will change you and will make change."
-Lauren, Achvat Amim Fall 2014

"Achvat Amim provides an excellent opportunity for young people from around the world to take an in-depth and nuanced look at the situation and conflict in Israel and Palestine. You will learn, work, and grow with an amazing community of open-hearted and justice loving people."
-Jeremy, Achvat Amim Fall 2014

"Achvat Amim helped renew my connection to Israel while still engaging critically with political realities on the ground and historically, with a commitment to working toward a just resolution for everyone in this land."
- Ben, Achvat Amim Fall 2015

"Achvat Amim has helped me to connect to my Jewish roots while emphasizing doing good work in the community I am in, and the communities I work with. It has opened my heart to deep friendships and stories I will cherish for the rest of my life."
- Sophie, Achvat Amim Fall 2015

"Achvat Amim allowed me to feel fully a part of the Jewish community again. Achvat Amim rejuvenated my soul, allowing me to actualize my Jewish values through our work and education."
- Maddy, Achvat Amim Fall 2015

"Achvat Amim provided me with a space and framework to process difficult questions about this place that I was unable to process fully elsewhere. The community that was built here, the learning process and people we met, and the places I volunteered taught me and inspired me in more ways than I could have ever imagined."
-Oriel, Achvat Amim Fall 2015

"Achvat Amim challenged me to challenge my previous knowledge of this complicated place. I've come out on the other side with a better understanding of how complicated this reality is, a respect for other people's narratives, and the openess to think critically about a place I love dearly."
- Katie, Achvat Amim Fall 2015

"Achvat Amim provided me a framework in which I could flourish and explore the possibilities of social justice work in Jerusalem, all in an environment that allowed me to laugh and grow with others."
- Erez, Achvat Amim Fall 2015

"Achvat Amim allowed me to think critically about the problems surrounding Israeli society as well as how to improve the situation for Jews and non-Jews alike."
- Adam, Achvat Amim Fall 2015

"If you want to be part of not only a life-changing experience, but also bring change to an area that has had enough of bloodshed, the Achvat Amim program is the right choice."
-Yona, Achvat Amim Spring 2016

"It’s a delicate and difficult thing – finding a fitting space to learn in, a group of people to think and strategize with, and find ways to act with. Achvat Amim does this better than most every experiential educational group I’ve been a part of, and takes it to the next level by offering you a space, if you want it, to be part of a vibrant movement fighting for a just peace in Israel/Palestine. And on top of all that, the kindess, empathy, and integrity Karen and Daniel bring to the process allows for you to find ways to take care of yourself and stay healthy in the midst of all this – something painfully absent in many activist spaces."
-Penina, Achvat Amim Spring 2016

"I have such immense gratitude for the opportunities Karen and Daniel have dedicated their life to sharing with people who want to fight the occupation. I came with not much knowledge and direct action experience, and I am leaving full of more questions to learn more and the passion to take action. Achvat Amim shows you how powerful learning, acting, and just being can be. I am grateful for now being a part of this amazing, inclusive, ever-welcoming community."
-Molly, Achvat Amim Spring 2016

"Diaspora Jews have a huge role to play in amplifying the solutions for the crises of Palestine and Israel. Achvat Amim is helping a new generation of Jews to turn their social consciousness into action. If you are someone who is dissatisfied with the old, stale, uncritical engagement of Israel, here’s an opportunity to spend 5 months studying, meeting, and living within the homegrown movement for a just peace between the river and the sea."
-Rob, Achvat Amim Spring 2016

"I had the opportunity to meet such interesting and inspiring people and to visit really eye-opening places. From these experiences my ways of thinking really developed and were challenged."
-Eve, Achvat Amim Fall 216

"This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I have been able to explore many complex topics in great depth and forge connections with some of the most extraordinary engaged folks."
-Nic, Achvat Amim Fall 2016

"Achvat Amim gave me the opportunity to be directly connected into this amazing community of non-violent anti-occupation activists. I cannot speak more highly of this program and I recommend it to anyone with the desire to learn more about the conflict and directly engage with the issues and the people that live here."
– Carly, Achvat Amim Spring 2017

"Achvat Amim is a completely life changing experience. It doesn’t just educate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but about worldwide concepts of nationhood and the right to self-determination. Being in an intensive environment with other people devoted to anti-occupation work has been an experiential learning curve and meeting such a huge variety of people has massively expanded my perceptions of the world. If you have a thirst for knowledge, a tendency toward direct action, and lots of energy then definitely do Achvat Amim."
– Nina, Achvat Amim Spring 2017

"Achvat Amim has certainly been an intensive, life-changing experience and by far the most supportive community I have ever been a part of. I came to Achvat knowing fairly little about the reality of the conflict on the ground and feel endlessly grateful for the immersive learning we have done to help me understand a very complex situation. While I knew I was against the occupation before I arrived, I now feel confident in proclaiming it and in speaking about it with others. Achvat has been instrumental in my personal development as a diaspora Jew and an activist."
– Elissa, Achvat Amim Spring 2017

"Achvat Amim is an amazing opportunity to be connected directly into the center of anti-occupation diaspora activism in Jerusalem, while being a part of a strong, supportive, challenging, Jewish community."
– Hannah, Achvat Amim Spring 2017

"Achvat Amim is an incredibly unique opportunity to spend 5 months fighting the occupation, whatever that means to you. I say ‘whatever that means to you’ because you have lots of opportunity to shape these 5 months to you, your goals, your personality, and your needs. Karen and Daniel are superhumans who will always be there to help shape the experience so it’s best for you."
– Aidan, Achvat Amim Spring 2017

"Achvat gave me a community I feel I can always return to in Israel-Palestine. I have not only made partnerships and relationships in a movement for justice and peace in this land, I have a more clear understanding of my Jewish identity and how I fit into this movement. Achvat has provided me with the ability to hold the narratives of Palestinians and Israelis across all spectrums of these societies and use them to work towards healing the racism and injustice in this land."
– Arielle, Achvat Amim Spring 2017

"There is no better place to explore Israel, Judaism, social justice, and what it means to live and work towards a better world; all while living a taste of the world to come."
– Josh, Achvat Amim Fall 2017

"A space of openness, love, and work that allowed me to grow in relation to myself and the ones around me. Really grow."
– Ana Dorotea, Achvat Amim Fall 2017

"Achvat Amim is a collective process unlike any other. Through communal living and learning, I have grown closer to the individual I want to be and know that I can always lean on other Achvaters to find support in the pursuit of peace and justice. If you are debating whether to join the program, you should definitely do it! If you bring yourself to the process, you will find growth, learning, and experiences that will shape you into a more well-rounded human and activist."
– Micah, Achvat Amim Fall 2017

"This program is essential if you care about this place – no matter your ideologies."
– Hannah, Achvat Amim Fall 2017

"Achvat Amim enabled me to greatly expand my comfort zone, in the context of a supportive, idealistic cohort, in a place I’ve long known well and am always re-discovering. I learned to lean into the discomfort of new ideas, arguments, and adventures, and developed a deep respect for many modes of change-making in this region and in general."
– Liz, Achvat Amim Fall 2017

“Achvat Amim helped connect me to a community of intrepid solidarity and anti-occupation activists…The program has stoked a fire in me to continue the struggle for justice here and back home. Many thanks to Karen, Daniel, and Erez. “
-Zak, Achvat Amim Spring 2018

“This program is the real deal. Karen, Daniel, and Erez are the real deal. Achvat Amim is not just a 5 month experience. It opens the door to long term partnership with a community of people doing important and powerful work.”
-Grace, Achvat Amim Spring 2018

“I came for a program, I left with movement partners and inspiration to bring my full self into solidarity work. Plus it was just a real good time.”
-Elias, Achvat Amim Spring 2018

“Not only does Achvat Amim give an opportunity for meaningful work on the ground, it fosters in participants a deep commitment to fight for justice, build loving and active communities, and explore questions of home and belonging beyond the 5 months of the program.”
-Adam, Achvat Amim Spring 2018

What folks say

About Achvat Amim