What Makes Tivnu Different
Many Jewish gap year programs take you overseas for the year. Tivnu does things differently. We spend most of our time in Portland, Oregon, with monthly trips throughout the Pacific Northwest and a 12-day trip to Mexico.
Portland, Oregon: Your Home Base
You’ll live with peers, intern with nonprofits, support tiny house villages for people who were formerly unhoused, and explore eclectic, world-renowned Portland. You’ll share work, meals, traditions, and adventures with a group that grows into a close-knit community — building practical skills and deepening your understanding of social justice.
Experiencing the Pacific Northwest and Mexico
Take a half-dozen trips throughout Oregon and Washington, exploring deserts, mountains, deep forests, the vibrant city of Seattle, and the Pacific Ocean.
In the middle of the year, after winter break, you’ll travel to breathtaking Nayarit* on Mexico’s Pacific coast. There, you’ll engage in hands-on volunteer work on an organic farm, learning directly from local partners about food systems, sustainability, and community-based agriculture. You’ll also have time for snorkeling, whale watching, salsa dancing, and cooking Mexican dishes with new friends.
*We closely monitor regional conditions and plan travel with safety as our top priority.