As a result of this program, you, the participant, will gain:

• An impactful, authentic month-long period in Israel with a chance to see firsthand the current reality and examine what it means for you
• A sense of connection to the wider Jewish community, and an appreciation of your place in the field of Jewish professionals
• A professional network of diverse Jewish professionals
• Appreciation for, and deeper understanding of, the inspiring and complex reality of modern Israel
• Clarity regarding your own personal connection to Judaism and its meaning in your life

You should request to be nominated for Sullam if:

• You are looking to expand your professional network and are thinking about your own professional trajectory within the Jewish communal field
• You want to connect and/or strengthen your day-to-day work to Israel in some way
• You feel that better understanding Israel today is critical for your professional efficacy 
• You found yourself in Jewish communal work, but now want to consider a focused career as a Jewish professional
• You are curious about Israel and your own personal Jewish growth
• You may have been to Israel before but are looking for a chance to return for a new experience
• You want to immerse yourself in Israeli living and learning

Aside from a refundable security deposit fee of $400 (details below), the Sullam Israel Residency is free of charge for you and your employer. Your employer will continue to pay you your regular salary for the duration of the program.

Yes! If you have never visited Israel before you will find that the Sullam Residency will be a fantastic way to gain a deep perspective into Israel, at a very unique time in the country’s history. At the same time, the program is not intended to provide an overview of the country and does not include basic visits to some of the most popular sites (Masada, Jerusalem’s Old City etc.,). You will have time on free Shabbatot to visit those sites, or we suggest you come a few days early.

Yes! The Sullam Residency offers a deep-dive into Israel with many choices for learning. If you have been on Taglit Birthright Israel, or even on a longer program (a Gap Year or Onward program), we are confident that you will see things you have never seen before, and dive more deeply into issues and topics you are not familiar with. Now in particular is an especially critical time to spend an extended period in Israel.

Yes! If you work for the Jewish community and are interested in exploring Israel and its relevance to you and your work you are eligible for the program. The program assumes a willingness to engage with Israel on multiple levels and you will have a choice of what is most meaningful to you. You will be expected to participate in the group Shabbat celebration and in your free time you will also have an opportunity to visit other religious sites if you choose.

The Sullam Israel Residency is based on the foundational belief that the State of Israel is the historical home of the Jewish People, which holds special meaning for Jews around the world today. Sullam upholds the legitimacy and the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state that is interconnected with global Jewry and that has the moral right and imperative to defend itself. Beyond this core conviction, the program does not have a particular agenda or ideology regarding Israel and how the State should address its challenges or realities today, nor does it aim for participants to adopt a particular approach or set of opinions.
We also recognize that every presentation of Israel contains bias and underlying assumptions and we strive to make our biases and assumptions as transparent as possible. We will do this by offering multiple perspectives and attitudes, through the range of speakers, texts, and experiences that will be included.
Participants across the political spectrum – including those who may not be sure where they stand – are welcome. In fact, participants will be expected to engage with one another, with the program, and with current events in a spirit of curiosity and learning, even (and especially) as people may have diverse personal and/or organizational priorities with respect to the People and State of Israel. In particular after October 7th, the debate about these issues is even more critical.

Yes. Trip itineraries are approved daily with the “Situation Monitoring Room” administered by the Society for the Protection of Nature. The Situation Monitoring Room works closely with Israel’s security forces including the IDF, Israel Policy, and local security and reservation authorities.

Yes, meeting Israelis and having the opportunity to have formal and informal conversations with them is an important part of the program.

Sullam Residency is not a touring program and has a residential feel, ensuring that participants can feel settled and at home during the month in Israel. The primary living arrangement, for two and a half weeks of the program, is apartment living in Tel Aviv. The program has rented a block of apartments in several buildings all together in the center of Tel Aviv, which house up to 4 people, in single rooms. Apartments will contain kitchen and laundry facilities.

When participants leave Tel Aviv for electives or Shabbat programs, they will be able to keep this Tel Aviv base. During those short-term visits to other venues, for up to 3 nights, participants will be in hotel-level accommodation in double rooms.
In addition, for the first and last few days of the program, participants will be accommodated in single rooms in hotels.

All hotel accommodation will be at a 4-star level.

Yes. The program contains two free Shabbatot (Friday-Saturday), as well as other informal evening times when you can visit friends and family.

Absolutely. While people from all backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to apply to Sullam, observant Jews will find the program accessible. All the food provided by our program will be Kosher and Saturday programming will also be Shabbat-friendly in public spaces. For those who want to pray in an orthodox minyan every day, there are plenty of accessible options in Tel Aviv. However, we cannot guarantee that a minyan will be accessible three times a day and participants are responsible to find their own minyan.

The Sullam Residency is designed so that participants take a break from their regular work, and focus on immersing in Israel. Therefore it is recommended that participants not make significant work commitments during this time and there will not be regular times available for working. At the same time, there are free days, evenings, and weekends throughout the program, and the time difference between Israel and the US is helpful if you wish to make periodic check-ins with work colleagues and projects.

The program in its current, pilot, form is designed only for Jewish community professionals to participate, without their partners and children. Talk to us individually if you have specific needs around this.

While we recognize that it is hard to commit a full month, it is also important that participants be fully present for the whole program and so we cannot have participants coming and going in the middle. If there are special circumstances, please talk to us about what is possible. Keep in mind that there are two cohorts of Sullam being offered in 2025- choose the one that works best for you.

The Sullam Residency is the bold initiative of a group of major funders in the Jewish community. They are motivated by a desire that the next generation of Jewish community professionals are inspired by and connected to Israel and the Jewish People.