Dov Forman, raised in England with the powerful narrative of his grandmother Lily Albert's Holocaust survival, knew from an early age that her story needed to reach a broader audience. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for his mission. "Antisemitism reached unprecedented levels during that period," he recalled. "Holocaust denial was pervasive, particularly in digital spaces. The prevailing climate convinced me that the world needed to hear my grandmother's testimony more than ever."
His initial approach was grassroots – teaching his grandmother to navigate Zoom technology, engaging with hundreds of listeners, and disseminating her story across social platforms. "The response was exponential. Media outlets began taking notice, and we quickly amassed a million TikTok followers and hundreds of thousands on Twitter. Today, our social media reach exceeds a billion people, predominantly young individuals who lack comprehensive Holocaust education."
As the commemoration initiative gathered momentum, Dov expanded beyond social media, undertaking the task of documenting and compiling his grandmother's memories. The resulting book, featuring a foreword by King Charles, has been translated into 15 languages and achieved New York Times bestseller status. "The goal wasn't commercial success," Forman emphasized. "It was about ensuring millions would know her story." Lily passed away last October at 100 years old. "She remained an inspirational figure until her final breath," her grandson shared. "Her passing drew condolences from prime ministers, and the king himself attended her funeral."
Drawing from his experience combating antisemitism, Forman offered insight into England's current climate: "The Jewish community here recognizes we're at a pivotal moment. The future of Jewish life is uncertain. Contemporary antisemitism is more overt than in previous years, and governmental response appears limited. There's an acute sense of isolation in being Jewish in the West today. Grandmother experienced similar feelings. But we persisted in pushing for change until the end, and I'm carrying that mission forward."
Dov represents one of 18 distinguished Masa program graduates, carefully selected from among 200,000 alumni engaged in transformative work. Their stories embody hope that the next generation of Jewish youth worldwide will embrace the vital mission of strengthening Jewish continuity. Masa, established through the partnership of the Jewish Agency and the Israeli government, stands as the leading facilitator of long-term Israeli experiences for young Jews, welcoming approximately 12,000 participants annually from 60 countries to immerse themselves in Israeli society.
"It ranks among my life's most formative years"
The roster of influential alumni includes Kristin Guerin, whose accomplishments span Broadway productions, television, and film as an actress, director, and producer. While maintaining her acting career, Kristin's primary focus has shifted to her innovative initiative – Buddy-System MIA.
Her trajectory changed dramatically in 2020 during a Miami Broadway production. When COVID-19 forced the show's closure, Kristin discovered a new purpose. "I simply decided to assist my neighbors from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic," she explained. She initiated a matching system between volunteers and those requiring assistance. "The response overwhelmed us – calls flooded in continuously. What I envisioned as a month-long project," she reflected, "has evolved into something much more substantial." Today, four years later, her organization provides support to approximately 5,000 individuals annually, ensuring access to nutritious food at no cost. The operation engages roughly 1,400 dedicated volunteers who salvage about 401,000 pounds of food annually from waste, managing community refrigerators that serve as accessible food sources for those in need.
In January 2024, Kristin traveled to Israel through the Masa-Volunteers program, established in response to the war. "Oct. 7 left me profoundly shaken. I felt powerless in the United States. While we participated in pro-Israel demonstrations, it wasn't sufficient. I felt compelled to 'get my hands dirty' and come to Israel in person."
A life-changing experience
Dana Preiss-Moskovitz, Masa's Alumni Community Director, emphasized the organization's commitment to maintaining alumni connections: "Our priority is helping graduates preserve their unique bond with Israel and Jewish identity. Many report that their Israel experience fundamentally shaped their trajectory, often leading to careers in Jewish communal work and active Israel advocacy, whether locally or from their home countries. The ongoing conflict hasn't deterred participation – we continue seeing high enrollment numbers, with many choosing to extend their stays for volunteer service. We anticipate watching these experiences transform into watershed moments for future Jewish leadership. Each of our 200,000 alumni makes unique contributions that fill us with pride."
Eitan Bergman from Belgium exemplifies this impact. Raised in a strongly Zionist household and naturally drawn to politics, he recognized early his calling to serve the Jewish community and Israel. Now CEO of the European Union of Jewish Students, he described their mission: "We engage in advocacy, sustain Jewish life, and develop leadership and commemoration initiatives. Our work spans continental election campaigns and antisemitism awareness." His achievements before age 30 include election as Secretary General of Belgium's Jewish Community Representative Committee and membership in the World Jewish Congress's Jewish Diplomatic Corps. As a Brussels city council member, he noted, "My positions involve regular engagement with ministers and government bodies, all advancing the interests of Belgian and European Jewish communities."
Dean Cohen translated his post-high school Masa experience in Australia into a revolutionary youth movement. "The program transformed my life trajectory and became my professional calling," he shared. His creation, Flying Fox, operates Australian summer camps and activities integrating children with disabilities with non-disabled volunteers, serving thousands of families annually. "We view our work as Kiddush Hashem, creating positive connections to Jewish community. The impact extends beyond our immediate circle – Christian parents whose children participate now display yellow ribbons supporting the hostages, demonstrating the broader relationships we've fostered."
The common thread uniting Dov, Kristin, Eitan, Dean, and other listed Masa alumni is their transformation of extended Israel experiences into meaningful action supporting Jewish communities and Israel. They consistently credit their Masa participation as foundational to their success. "It ranks among my life's most formative years," Dov reflected. "Israel represents the Jewish people's homeland. Despite current challenges, it remains our safest haven worldwide."
