OrahSydney partners with internationally run Momentum to provide 20 women in our local community the opportunity to participate in the MOMentum Year-Long Journey.
The purpose of this program is to inspire Sydney mothers of Jewish school age children (under 18 years of age) to live a more meaningful and connected Jewish way of life. This specific program is for women who are not currently living and engaged Jewish life. The program provides unique opportunities to be inspired by our rich Jewish heritage and values, experience Israel like never before and form lasting connections within the community. We believe the mother is at the core to the future of Jewish continuity and by igniting her Jewish soul she will shine a brighter light into her home, and collectively our light in the world will be brighter.
As the name of the program suggests, this is a year long journey that requires participant commitment for the duration of the 12 months. It is educational, experiential and completely transformative, including a 9 day life-changing journey in Israel with women from all over the world, followed by a year of monthly face-to-face learning sessions back here in Sydney as a group, community engagement and social activities. It's that thing in life you never knew you needed until you couldn't imagine your life without.
This a highly subsidised program for our participants, with funding received through scholarship, the Israeli Government and our OrahSydney organisation. As such, an eligibility criteria does apply which you can learn more about here.
THE PROGRAM:
9 day experience in Israel. This includes 8 full days on the Momentum program, plus an extra day for Sydney participants only. Our next trip is due to start early November 2024.
4 pre-trip meetings prior to departing for Israel to get you ready.
12 x monthly group learning sessions back in Sydney consisting of in-person classes held every 3 to 4 weeks, usually on a Sunday evening.
Participation in 2-3 community chesed activities throughout the year, fundraising to raise funds to send the next cohort, and plenty of fun social events to enjoy.
The following video gives you a taste into how this unique programme and the experience in Israel makes you feel. It features some of our OrahSydney 2019 group who you might recognise.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? As this is a heavily subsidised programme, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
You must be a mother of a Jewish school age child living at home under the age of 18.
You are not strictly religiously observant. This trip is designed for people who are not highly engaged in the Jewish community or Jewish ritual observance.
Participants must be physically and emotionally healthy. The experience in Israel has a lot packed in to each day with plenty of walking and the experience can bring up a lot of emotions, all of which will affect your energy level.
GROUP SIZE: For optimal learning and group cohesiveness, we take approximately 18 women each year into the programme, and 2 to 3 leaders. With the popularity of the programme growing rapidly in our community we now receive significantly more applications to participate than we have available places. Positions are determined based on meeting the programme's eligibility requirements, the face-to-face interview and the successful completion and scoring via an online Momentum Application Form. Thorough consideration is taken with each application individually, and within the group dynamic. Therefore, unfortunately not everyone who applies will be offered a place, and in some instances applications are successful in future programmes. WHAT ADDITIONAL COSTS ARE INVOLVED? While the Momentum programme is heavily subsidised, with all shared accommodation, tours, speakers and much of the food covered, there are some additional costs that will be incurred by each participant. These include:
Return airfare (individuals book their own flights. We will meet up as a group in Israel)
Approximately $1,850AUD (TBC) covering the OrahSydney yearly education levy and additional activities we undertake as a group in Israel that are in addition to the scheduled Momentum programme (This includes the cost of extra Sydney Day).
$850USD paid directly to our partner organisation Momentum. (Note: $500USD of this money is a fully refundable deposit offered to the participant at the end of the trip in Israel).
Personal spending money in Israel for shopping, some meals not included (approx 3 dinners and 3 lunches), incidental expenses, pre and post Momentum trip accommodation/transport/food/entertainment, some optional group tours.
Mobile phone plan for international travel whilst in Israel
Travel insurance, and health Insurance before and after the Momentum trip.
