Community-Building and Leadership Development

Nesiya programs are designed to inspire students to enrich Jewish life for others as well as themselves. A unique emphasis in Nesiya programs is on building a community in which being an individual and being part of a group are both important. In a group of diverse individuals, students are encouraged to express themselves personally and to contribute to the development of the group as a whole.

To help foster community building and individual students' development as leaders, participants are encouraged to lead many activities during the program with the assistance and support of staff including everything from wake-up activities to planning and running educational programs, tours of sites, and a range of Shabbat programs and activities. Participants also take responsibility for the day to day life of the group in areas such as supplies, meals, wake-up, study, and prayer options. Participants can also prepare for educational leadership roles in advance of the program, using educational materials and experiential educational activity kits provided by the Nesiya Institute.