OLAM is a network of Jewish and Israeli organizations working in the fields of global service, international development, and humanitarian aid. Inspired by Jewish values and committed to high ethical standards, OLAM convenes and mobilizes leaders and organizations to take meaningful action in support of the world’s most vulnerable people, in order to foster a more just and compassionate world for all.

The study trip is powered by Repair the World via the JCRIF Reset grant because both Repair the World and OLAM are committed to building a Jewish service movement that includes domestic and global service.

The trip will strengthen the connection between local and global service, and build a holistic movement that brings together Jewish organizations, foundations, and individuals engaged in service around the world.

The JSA Study Trip will showcase a variety of Jewish and Israeli organizations in the field of global service and international development. We will meet staff and participants of global service programs, and gain insight into the design of their educational components. We will also have the opportunity to encounter Rwandan individuals driving positive change, gain insights into the significance of service within Rwandan society, and delve into the realm of ethical service.

Specifically, the trip will focus on the following areas:

Jewish learning and daily reflection & education sessions: Delve into Jewish sources to explore our responsibility to broader humanity, locally and globally

Global service: Exposure to Jewish individuals and organizations serving in Rwanda, and exploring connection points between global and local service 

Global responsibility: Exploring our responsibility as Jews to broader humanity, both locally and globally, and looking at various models for global service

Rwandan society: Learning about Rwandan history, its current growth, and the role of service in civil society

Implementing learnings: Working together to consider optimal ways to implement our learnings in our organizations

The study trip is designed for senior-level professionals from JSA member organizations and foundations.

The trip is exclusive and by invitation-only.

Study Trip participants and their organizations will gain many benefits, including:

Increased knowledge about some of the world’s most pressing issues, as well as the Jewish and Israeli organizations working on these issues

A cohort experience in which you can share experiences relating to service, Jewish identity, and global responsibility

Skills and knowledge to embed best practices into service programs

Relationships with other Jewish communal professionals committed to service

Participants are required to take part in three webinars – 2 before the trip and 1 after.

The pre-trip meetings will offer participants the opportunity to get to know one another, familiarize themselves with OLAM and Repair the World, and understand the goals of the study trip. We will also explore the concepts of service and ethical best practices as we prepare to travel.

The post-trip webinars will explore how participants can integrate global service and responsibilities into their organizations’ programmatic agendas.

Please note: Participants who commit to the program must take part in all sessions. For extenuating circumstances, please contact OLAM staff as soon as possible.

The study trip will take place February 6-11, not including travel time to and from Rwanda.

The pre-trip webinars will take place from 2:00-3:30 PM Eastern Time on:

• Nov. 14, 2023
• Jan. 10, 2024

The post-trip webinar will take place from 2:00-3:30 PM Eastern Time on:

• Feb. 27, 2024

Communications

Each participant will be required to post on social media (personally and/or professionally) and share their experiences with their organization through a presentation or discussion. OLAM also encourages participants to publish op-eds or articles, either as individuals or co-authored with fellow study trip participants.

In addition, staff of JSA member organizations are expected to take action in one (or more) of the following areas:

Global service experiences: Creating (or scaling) a global immersive service trip and/or signposting relevant members of your community to existing global service opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to: running an opportunity fair featuring global service programs, regularly featuring global service opportunities in your organization’s communications channels, etc.

Connecting the dots between global and local service: This can include, but is not limited to: signposting local service alumni to global service opportunities, identifying special opportunities for global service alumni to partake in your local service or other educational programs, and incorporating relevant global themes into existing local service curricula.

Applying learnings from the JSA trip to your local service programs: This can include, but is not limited to: deepening the Jewish learning aspects of your local programming, developing sessions around ethical best practices, etc.

Global education and engagement: Creating and implementing a strategy to integrate education and conversations around global Jewish responsibility into your organizations. This can include, but is not limited to, the creation of learning circles, a lecture series, a comprehensive curriculum around global Jewish responsibility, Shabbat and Holiday programming, etc.

OLAM will continue to monitor Covid developments over the coming weeks and months. OLAM reserves the right to cancel and/or postpone the trip based on these developments and on and travel advisories.

All participants are required to purchase travel insurance that covers the cost of Covid-19-related travel extensions, or will not be permitted to travel.

Please see OLAM’s Covid-19 Policy for trips.

The Study Trip is heavily subsidized, thanks to the generous support of a JCRIF Reset grant. The trip costs $6,600 per participant, but we are able to offer it to you for $500. See below for additional financial details.

Expenses covered by OLAM
– Accommodation (single-occupancy)
– Group meals
– Ground transportation
– Group tourist experiences
– Site visits
– Economy travel expenses to/from Kigali (reimbursed) up to $1,500 USD
– Up to $100 in medical insurance (reimbursed)

Mandatory expenses not covered by OLAM:
– $50 travel visa fee
– Cost of vaccinations, malaria pills, or other medical expenses related to the trip. Please note – vaccines can be expensive. To understand costs, consult your doctor or your local Passport Health.
– Travel insurance that covers the cost of Covid-19-related travel extensions beyond the $100 covered by OLAM 

Please note: Cost of a telephone SIM card/phone plan, food during free time (outside of group meals), souvenirs you choose to purchase, and any pre- and post-trip excursions or other add-ons or upgrades to flights are at your own expense.

Additional subsidies may be available if financial constraints will preclude you from participating. Please contact Amy if you would like to discuss your financial situation further.

Yes. We can provide boxed lunches and dinners from Chabad throughout the study trip. Most meals will be eaten at restaurants and hotels where vegetarian options are available.

The commitment form is due by October 18, 2023. Please let us know of your intentions to join us as soon as possible.