French teens on the Jewish Agency's Bac Bleu Blanc program pose for
a group photo at a festive event in Jerusalem.

December 23, 2010 / 16 Tevet 5771

Over 800 French teenagers spent a fun-filled and educational week in Israel as part of the Bac Bleu Blanc project.

This year, Bac Bleu Blanc brought 847 12th graders from 21 Jewish schools in France to Israel from December 12-22, 2010. Bac Bleu Blanc is a project of the Education Department of the Jewish Agency.

Its goal is to strengthen these youngsters Jewish identity and their connection to Israel. It is also a chance for them to find out more about the variety of innovative long-term programs in Israel offered by Masa Israel, according to Daniel Benhaim, the representative of the Jewish Agency's education department in France.

Over 6,000 youth have visited Israel on Bac Bleu Blanc since its inception in 2003 – with 25% returning to Israel on long-term programs or to serve in the army and settle in Israel, according to Benhaim.

"This is really a great program and has had very successful outcomes over the last few years," said Benhaim.