Nativ College Leadership Program

Click here for our response to COVID-19 and our frequently asked questions for the 2020-21 year program

Live, Learn and Explore Israel for a Year Before College

Applications for Nativ 41 (2021-2022) school year are now open – Apply today!

Nativ, USCJ’s gap year program for Jewish high school graduates, is dedicated to creating and inspiring the Conservative Jewish leaders of tomorrow. Nativ, which means “path” in Hebrew, provides a unique opportunity to explore new directions on the journey to becoming a Jewish adult.

From September to May Nativ participants are immersed in the rich and diverse society of Israel, exploring the land and enjoying a fulfilling Conservative Jewish lifestyle.

Student Life on Nativ

Applications & Admission

Financial Information

College After Nativ

Fall Semester

Nativers spend the fall semester studying in Jerusalem.

They have the option to choose from three different settings.

Hebrew University

The Hebrew University portion of the year is divided into two parts: a mini-semester before and during the chaggim solely for the Nativers, and the regular fall semester.

Conservative Yeshiva

Nativers who choose this option attend Talmud, Halacha, and Tanakh classes with other Yeshiva students and enjoy special classes exclusively for Nativ participants.

Ulpan & Community Service

Students experience intensive Hebrew studies in an Ulpan 4 days a week for 5-6 academic hours a day. The focus is to raise students’ Hebrew levels through an intensive Ulpan experience.

Seminars & Tiyulim

Throughout the Nativ year, seminars are held to enhance the group’s academic and volunteer experiences. Nativers also go on tiyulim to become more familiar with Jewish history and the land of Israel.

Israel Activism

A week of Israel Activism training to teach the Nativers how to be leaders on their college campuses.

Tiyul Negev

A 6-day tiyul through southern Israel, hiking through the areas of Ein Gedi, the Negev, and the Eilat Mountains.

Tiyul Galil

A 5-day tiyul towards the end of the program in the beautiful regions of the Galil and Golan.

Yozma

Yozma participants further the development of life and leadership skills that are essential for young adults with cognitive and social challenges to lead independent, meaningful Jewish lives and successfully transition to a college program.

The Program

Yozma provides an inclusive, secure and structured environment where participants work with the staff on life skills such as social communication, self-advocacy, organizational, independent living, and school/study.

Staff

Includes a program director with a special needs background based in Israel, who works throughout the program with specially trained counselors who have special needs experience. These counselors live with the participants and are available to them 24/7.

Target Audience

Yozma focuses on the individual and not on a specific diagnosis in order to face the cognitive and social challenges faced by each young adult. Click above to learn more.

Why Choose Nativ?

39 Years Building & maintaining a strong, established & trustworthy program

92% Believe that Nativ prepared them for life on their college campus.

2,000+ Bogrei Nativ (Alumni)

63% Feel that Nativ helped them make informed Jewish decisions

What Our Alumni Are Saying

“I can easily say, the day I decided to go on Nativ, was the day I made the best decision in my life. Nativ gave me the passion to stand up, the courage to take action, and the tools to know how to do so. Thanks to Nativ, I found my passion in life. The year I spent on Nativ was the best year of my life. That’s why Nativ. Because it is a truly life-altering, passion-finding, moment-making year.”

Alli Penfil