OTZMA will allow you to explore and express your ties to Israel and to the Jewish people, young and old, as you work in this society.  OTZMA incorporates an ongoing educational program that helps you deepen your understanding of Israel and of Judaism and enables you to grow as an individual and a committed Jew. The people with whom you will meet are acknowledged experts with excellent reputations in the academic or educational frameworks in which they work. 

As an OTZMA participant, you will have input in the topics that are discussed.  You are encouraged to alert the OTZMA staff of issues that interest you.  Below is a list of sample topics that we plan to cover during the year through seminars, lectures, or other educational activities:

• The Israeli-Arab conflict
• Israeli Arab citizens
• Holocaust
• Israeli political structure - education, economics, politics
• Israeli Culture – dance, music, art, film industry etc.
• Religion, ethnicity - exploring Judaism in different settings
• Social Justice
• Jewish identity - in Israel and North America
• Israel, the army, and the impact of the army on Israeli society
• North American - Israeli dialogue

In addition, there are field trips, or tiyulim, which allow you to visit the Galil, the Golan and the Negev, as well as Jerusalem.  These trips enable you to gain an overview of Israel's tremendously varied geography and explore the history and culture of Israel through the land itself.  Highlights of the year include a Northern and a Southern Tiyul.