Birthright, MASA talk collaboration

Representatives from birthright israel and MASA met to discuss joint forces in some areas, an Israeli official said. Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon told reporters in Jerusalem on Monday about last week’s discussions. Since 1998 birthright has sent more than 100,000 Jews between the ages of 18 and 26 to Israel on free 10-day trips. The Israel-backed MASA, which began in 2004 and this year provided grants starting at $2,000 to some 8,000 young Jews to attend yearlong programs in Israel, is trying to establish itself as a follow-up for the birthright experience. Maimon said he met with birthright israel CEO Shimshon Shoshani last week to discuss “some sort of partnership.” Birthright and MASA officials will meet in the next 10 days to further discuss the details, he said, citing a possible collaboration in marketing.