PART 1 / Ambassador to Bulgaria
Be a part of a close-knit group of Jewish teens from North America, Bulgaria and Serbia instilling hope in a Jewish community with a remarkable past. Join the 10-day Ambassador to Bulgaria experience, and take part in community service projects, build lasting friendships with local Jewish teens from Eastern Europe, and tour a beautiful land that is one of Europe's best kept secrets.
Why Bulgaria?
For over a decade, BBYO has a tradition of organizing groups of North American teens on missions to Bulgaria. BBYO is proud to have a thriving local chapter in Bulgaria and regularly invites Jewish teens from Bulgaria to international events in North American and Israel. The Ambassador to Bulgaria experience is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this tradition, view what it means to be Jewish from a different perspective, and form lasting friendships with Jewish teens abroad.
PART 2 / The International Leadership Seminar in Israel (ILSI)
The International Leadership Seminar in Israel (ILSI) is BBYO Passport's leadership and enrichment program in Israel designed for BBYO members who have completed grade 10, 11, or 12.
Based on an academic campus outside of Tel Aviv, the ILSI experience challenges participants with the big questions. What is the contemporary meaning of Jewish tradition? How is the Zionist movement relevant in the 21st century? What is the future of the Jewish State, and how can we play a part in shaping it?
Unlike traditional Israel tours, ILSI is about connecting to Israel on a deeper level. Participants interact with a variety of different speakers, artists, religious figures, and people who have shaped – and continue to shape – Israel’s future. Along the way, we build on the curriculum through a series of day trips, long weekend excursions, and the everyday experiences of living in Israel.
Building Cross-Cultural Bridges
One of the most special aspects of the ILSI experience is that teens from North America are joined by Jewish teens from Bulgaria as well as from Israel. All together we form a single community, learning, traveling, and bonding together in Israel. Each teen brings their own perspective, their own unique background, and their own way of relating to Israel. Together this diversity contributes to a truly enriching dynamic and an opportunity to live the Jewish value that we are all responsible for one another.
Is ILSI Right For Me?
ILSI was designed with BBYO members in mind as a unique enrichment, touring, and leadership experience. Although most ILSI participants are BBYO members, ILSI is open to non-members who are seeking this type of experience. ILSI is appropriate for teens who have never been to Israel as well as for those who are returning for a different perspective.
