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    World Bnei Akiva: Mechina Olamit | Gap Year in Israel

    World Bnei Akiva: Mechina Olamit | Gap Year in Israel

    Details

    • Listing Type: Gap Year Programs
    • Program Delivery: Residential
    • Destinations: Israel
    • Program Length: Academic Year
    • Start Month: September
    • Category: Jewish
    • Selective: No
    • Gender: Coed
    • Ages: 17, 18, 19+, 19
    • Housing: Cabins
    • Financial Aid: Grants/Scholarships
    • Minimum Cost: $1,000 - $2,999
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    Overview

    World Bnei Akiva's "Mechina Olamit" is a challenging, and highly rewarding leadership program in Israel that develops skills for life. We bring Jewish high school graduates from around the world together with Israeli counterparts in a religious Zionist, co-ed environment. You'll build lasting friendships while discovering the land of Israel and its people, and experience trips, Torah learning, navigation skills, fitness, IDF training, Hebrew skills, educational seminars and so much more!

    Sessions begin in September, and the program fills fast so check out our website to reserve your spot now!

    World Bnei Akiva: Mechina Olamit, run in partnership with Kol Ami, is a preparatory school for life – its an incredible way to spend your first year out of high school with new friends from Israel around the world. You'll grow as a Jew, as a person, and build a deep and lasting connnection to Israel.

    The 9 month course, in a religious, Zionist, co-ed environment offers the unique opportunity to live, learn, and grow with Isaeli’s your age – and 3 months of the program are in Hebrew!

    Guided by a strong team of dedicated leaders, you will gain knowledge, values and skills and experience an incredible process of learning, and self-empowerment as preparation for the IDF, or community service back home.

    PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

    - Independent Living

    - Leadership Training

    - Relevant Torah Learning

    - Community Volunteering

    - Travel Around Israel

    - Fitness & IDF Preparation

    - Jewish Peoplehood

    - Seminars and trips

    DAY TO DAY:

    The Mechina is based at Kibbutz Migdal Oz, in Gush Etzion. You’ll be living with other participants from around the world, in rooms of four or five. The rooms are basic and include air-conditioning and en-suite bathroom.

    A typical day at the Mechina Olamit begins early in the morning with tfilla and then either with exercise or a participant-run activity to begin the day in the right mindset.

    In classic Mechina fashion, breakfasts and dinner’s are cooked by the participants themselves based on a rotation, you’ll plan everything from budgeting to cooking and cleaning. Lunches are in the kibbutz dining hall.

    GARIN - EXTENSION PROGRAM:

    After 6 months the Israelis and some of the International participants will leave the program to draft to the IDF. For those who want a full Gap year, the Mechina offers a 3 month extension program called the Garin. Living together on the Mechina campus, Garin participants will spend 3 days of each week in one of three tracks: Magen David Adom, Beit Midrash, Internship.

    The remaining 2 weekdays and weekends consist of programming at the campus including sports, classes, seminars, field trips and more.

    Poland journey:

    The Garin group will fly to Poland for an incredibly memorable and meaningful experience, for a week focusing on the Shoa and on the Chassidic aspects of Jewish Poland prior to the War. 

    Psychometric Prep course (Optional): For those considering university study in Israel, a Psychometric (the Israeli SAT test) course is offered, which will allow participants the opportunity to register for universities in Israel.