Tivnu Blog

A parent shares how her son’s Jewish gap year with Tivnu built independence, maturity, community, and clarity about college.

A closer look at the benefits of a gap year, featuring insights from Tivnu founder Steve Eisenbach-Budner and alumni who explain how a structured year of service, learning, and community influenced their paths after high school.

Tivnu: Building Justice offers the only immersive Jewish gap year in America, combining hands-on justice work, vibrant Jewish experiences, and communal living—all rooted in Portland, Oregon.

Follow along on a normal Tuesday in my life. It’s filled with so many different experiences: going to my internship, solo-time to reset, exploring different parts of Portland, and having fun with friends!

Justice doesn’t happen on its own—it takes people willing to fight for it. OIP is one of many organizations offering opportunities for Tivnu participants to volunteer and make a real, lasting difference.

This trip was quite an experience. The views were beautiful, and really made me feel the scale of the planet in a way I have never experienced.

Tivnu fosters a space where those feelings are met with care, celebration, and a sense of community. Birthdays in particular are a chance to bring a little piece of home into the Tivnu experience.

On the way to OMSI Hancock Field Station, the Tivnu cohort stopped at the Museum at Warm Springs

Come along with me on a fun Friday, and get a peek into what my everyday life is like!

Connections is a New York Times word game where players have to connect words into four groups of four. Over the past few weeks my roommate and I have been creating TIVnections, a Tivnu version of the popular NYT game.