As the school year came to a close at the end of June, TALMA’s Full Year Fellows wrapped up 10 months of teaching, learning, and becoming part of school communities across Israel. Throughout the year, they supported students, collaborated with local educators, and experienced life in Israel in meaningful ways.
This year, 36 TALMA Full Year Fellows taught in 42 schools across six diverse communities throughout Israel: Jerusalem, Ben Shemen, Eilat, Ashkelon, Sderot, and Kibbutz Ruhama, where they supported students from Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
As they reflect on the past year, two fellows share what this experience meant to them. Although their journeys to TALMA were very different, both found something they hadn’t expected: a place to grow, meaningful connections, and a sense of belonging.
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Building a New Life in Israel / Tirtzah Keeling
When Tirtzah arrived in Israel in 2023, she had no idea how much her life was about to change.
She first came on a fully funded program before beginning her studies at a seminary in Jerusalem. Inspired by her experience, she decided she wanted to build her future in Israel. Shortly before October 7, she learned that making Aliyah would require her to complete a halachic conversion. Despite the uncertainty that followed, she remained in Israel, completed her master’s degree in Special Education, finalized her conversion in February 2025, and made Aliyah that June. Just weeks later, she began her journey as a TALMA Full Year Fellow.
She was placed at Ben Shemen Youth Village, where students from remarkably diverse backgrounds learn and live together. Many have overcome difficult family circumstances, immigrated to Israel, or faced significant personal challenges.
“As someone who experienced a challenging upbringing myself,” she says, “I began understanding the students in ways I hadn’t expected.”
One classroom activity quickly became everyone’s favorite. Tirtzah placed three signs around the room: Agree, Disagree, and Neutral. After reading a statement, students moved to the section that matched their opinion, but there was one rule. Every discussion had to happen in English.
The activity started with fun debates like “Cake is better than ice cream,” before moving into ethical questions that challenged students to explain, defend, and respectfully debate their opinions.
“What surprised me most,” she recalls, “was watching some of the quietest students become the most vocal. They weren’t just practicing English. They were learning to think critically, listen to different perspectives, and express themselves with confidence.”
Watching students become excited to share and defend their ideas became one of the highlights of her year. Throughout the fellowship, Tirtzah also grew professionally. She found herself surrounded by passionate educators who constantly exchanged ideas and supported one another. Along the way, she built friendships she expects to last a lifetime.
This fall, Tirtzah will continue teaching at Ben Shemen while beginning her stage year and taking on a new role as a Pedagogical Teacher Leader with TALMA.
She came to Israel hoping to teach English. Instead, she discovered a community, a career, and a future. For Tirtzah, TALMA became more than just a job. It became the beginning of her life in Israel.
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Finding Purpose Through Teaching / Olia Polovneff
Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, and raised primarily in California, Olia Polovneff had already built a relationship with TALMA before joining the Full Year Fellowship. Over several summers, she led her unique English Through Art program in communities across Israel, from Jerusalem to Eilat.
After making Aliyah and settling in Ashkelon to care for her elderly father, she reconnected with TALMA through Stacy Aruch (TALMA’s Director of Curriculum Design and Teacher Development) and was invited to teach another summer. She immediately connected with TALMA’s educational approach, collaborative culture, and vision. When the opportunity came to join the Full Year Fellowship, saying yes felt natural.
Throughout the year, Olia taught English in Ashkelon as both a Track 2 Full Year Fellow and a We Speak teacher. Her background in art allowed her to bring creativity into the classroom while reaching students with many different learning needs.
She worked with children in religious and secular schools, recent immigrants, students with special needs, and children who had previously struggled to believe they could succeed in English.
“One of the most rewarding things for me has been seeing students become more confident, enjoy learning, and realize that they really can communicate in English.”
Her English Through Art lessons became especially popular, giving students a chance to relax, create, and discover that learning English could be joyful. She also loved teaching TALMA’s We Speak program, where students explored English through science and hands on learning.
For Olia, TALMA’s greatest strength is its people.
“TALMA is a very special organization because it brings together people from different cultures and backgrounds. It helps Israeli students understand that English is not just a school subject. It is a real language that people use every day around the world.”
“Personally, TALMA gave me a sense of belonging and purpose.”
Looking back on the year, Olia says the connections she built with students, fellow educators, and the wider community reached far beyond the classroom. For her, teaching through TALMA was not only about helping students grow. It also gave her a place where she could continue growing herself.
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Could Your Story Be Next?
Every Full Year Fellow brings different experiences, talents, and perspectives into Israeli classrooms. But they leave with something in common: meaningful relationships, professional growth, and memories that last long after the school year ends.
Ready to begin your own journey?
Learn more about the TALMA Full Year Fellowship and discover how you can make a meaningful impact in Israeli classrooms while becoming part of a vibrant educational community.
