Launched in March 2008, the Eye Squad is "keeping an eye out" for the more than 7,000 North American and other Anglo students spending a shana ba'aretz, or post-high school year in Israel. We aim to help you adjust, cope, and thrive, through information, emotional support, and the peace of mind that we are here if you need us. We look forward to supporting YOU during your time in Israel and helping to ensure you have a safe, secure, and meaningful year!
Our flagship program is the Eye Squad Hotline, an independent, confidential 24-hour service which can be reached by dialing *9111 from any phone in Israel. Trained counselors are on-call at all times to listen to students who need to talk to someone and to respond with appropriate suggestions and guidance. In less than a year of existence, hotline counselors have helped students deal with a wide variety of issues, from homesickness to drug concerns to interpersonal relationships and coping with loss. Click here for more about the hotline.
This year also saw the launch of the BAYIT program – Building A Year in Israel Together – which pairs visiting students with "buddy" families for the duration of their time in Israel. Click here for more about BAYIT, including a downloadable application.
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