Nefesh BNefesh - Aliyah: Live the Dream

For a list of all pre-army Mechina programs, see the Misrad Hachinuch (Ministry of Education) site, Mechinot Kedam Tzeva'iyot. (Click Hamechinot on the right-side menu bar.) There is also a listing on the army's site: Mechinot Kedam Tzva'iyot. (The listing is divided into secular and religious programs.)

Aliyah & Integration Program at Mechinat Keshet Yehuda - http://www.keshetyehuda.org/ (click on English). Mechinat Keshet Yehuda specializes in young religious men ages 18 to early 20's who are making Aliyah or are thinking about making Aliyah. By working hand in hand with all the agencies that are relevant to you, including Nefesh B’Nefesh, the IDF etc., and by integrating you into a program of 130 Israeli boys your age, your Aliyah and integration is much smoother. Mechinat Keshet Yehuda is a pre-military religious Mechina (post high school educational institution) located in the Golan Heights and is one of the most respected Mechinot in Israel. Over one thousand students have graduated since its founding in 1992; many are officers in the top IDF units today.

• Pilot Year Program - Making Aliyah or going into a Machal unit are big commitments… Mechinat Keshet Yehuda also offers a Pilot Year Program that will help you decide the right option for you before committing to anything. You still get the full feel of what it’s like to live in Israel like an Israeli, but without any of the commitments that would come along with Aliyah or Machal.
• Torah and Emunah: The main goal of Mechinat Keshet Yehuda is to help the students strengthen their Emunah (faith) in Hashem before entering the army. The Mechina offers a full range of Torah classes both in Hebrew and English.
• Make a Top IDF Unit: Most of the graduates from both the Aliyah program and Israeli program make it into top IDF units; those who don’t make the top units are very successful in the units they do make.

or call in the US 310-747-3306 or in Israel 04-685-0695. In addition, please visit our website at http://www.keshetyehuda.org/. Click on English. You will find a short movie there about life on the Mechina and the impact the program has on our boys' lives.

Amichai Military Preparatory School for Excellence in Zionist Social Leadership - Amichai is open to men and women and is located on Kibbutz Kramim, on the northern Negev desert (fifteen minutes north of Beer Sheva). The Kibbutz, like the Amichai program, is comprised of both religious and secular individuals. The programs aims to give students the opportunity to discover their strengths, solidify their personal and communal identities and values systems, and nurture a commitment to making an impact on Israeli society and maintaining the ideals of Zionism. The program includes many components. In addition to Ulpan, students meet soldiers and commanders, learn about the IDF, improve physical fitness and survival skills, volunteer in Negev communities, and take excursions and tours.

The course is for young adults ages 18 to 20 who are eligible for service in the IDF (or other Israeli defense organizations), who have immigrated to Israel no earlier than two years before enrollment, or who plan to immigrate to Israel in the near future. The program is 10 months long (beginning in September) and includes full room and board.

For more information, please email ami-chai@012.net.il, phone 972-8-659-7131 or fax 972-8-659-7133. In Israel, contact Erez Shachar, the program coordinator at 052-609-1572, or Chonen Chaim, Amichai’s director at 052-899-1842.

Netsach Mechina Program - info@netsach.org - Netsach is a post-high-school yeshiva for young men wishing to explore their Judaism, build self-confidence and achieve success in learning and Torah life. Founded and directed by Rabbi Aaron Brody, and endorsed by eminent Torah personalities Rav Mendel Weinbach and Rav Noach Orlowek, Netsach schedules creative, exciting and individualized programming for students who, for many reasons, do not fit the mainstream educational mold. Netsach is built on a foundation of personal attention.

With a varied program, it offers individual schedules for each student and guarantees a one-on-one learning session with a Rebbe or staff member for every student every single day. Outside of the learning schedule, Netsach also offers activities such as a workout room, outdoor basketball court, self-defense courses, music studio with professional instructors, game room and computer access, chessed Program, on- and off-campus shabbatonim, Friday breakfast at the Kotel, exciting trips weekly, plus overnights during Sukkot, Pesach and Chanuka vacations. There is also an optional second-year program and 2-year college degree program. For more information, please email info@netsach.org or phone 347-448-4178.

Nachshon - the Israeli Mechina, is the only program that gives participants from overseas the opportunity to be immersed in a completely Israeli environment while traveling, volunteering and learning with their Israeli peers. What is unique about this program is that it was originally created to give young Israelis the chance to devote a year to social leadership and change. For its seventh year, the program has opened its doors to Jewish gap year students (post high-school) from around the world to join in the program with their Israeli peers. For details, see http://m-nachshon.org/ or email info@m-nachshon.org.

Hadas - http://www.midreshet-lindenbaum.org.il/ - A unique program in existence for already 10 years, the Hadas program is geared for observant girls who wish to serve in the IDF in either:
Educational Non-Commissioned Officers (Mashakiot Hora’ah), or
The Intelligence Corps, and the General Secret Services (Shabak)

The Hadas program is highly respected by the IDF and as such each girl is viewed by the IDF as a tremendous asset to the army. The Hadas faculty visit the girls often to both study with them and ensure that they are happy in their respective positions.
NBN is teaming up with Hadas to provide grants and support for these unique women who serve in the IDF. For more information please see http://www.midreshet-lindenbaum.org.il/ or contact Rav Ohad TeharLev, Director, Hadas Education and Hadas Intelligence, phone: 011-972-2-671-0043, email: hadas@lind.org.il.

Mechinat Nokdim - Mechinat Nokdim is a new, English-speaking one year program for high school graduates, in which Jewish studies are part of a more general educational experience. In addition to Torah studies, classes are given in physical fitness, navigation, and familiarization with the terrain of the country. This is a special opportunity to integrate with Israeli students and become more familiar with Israeli culture. For more information please call Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Chait at 050-572-2233 or 516-300-9439 or e-mail ravshmuel@mnokdim.org.

Leadership Yeshiva Academy - LYA utilizes an Israeli army mechina format as the basis for its program. Aside from a comprehensive Torah study program, there is programming designed to strengthen leadership qualities.There is a joint learning program with the Hesder Yeshiva in Hispin. They also learnarmy tactics/karate, survival/navigation skills, Hebrew and go on tiyulim. After the one year program, boys may continue on with their army service.
Students can receive up to 20 academic credits from Bar Ilan University (In Israel).
For more information: www.lya.org.il.

The Bnei David English speakers program enables foreign students to integrate seamlessly into Israeli society through meaningful service in the Israeli army. Over the past 25 years Bnei David has trained over 2500 young religious men for leadership in the national life of Israel. Over 1000 Bnei David graduates have served as officers in the IDF, and many others have gone on to careers in education and public service. Our dedicated staff gives the students of the English speakers program the language and cultural skills needed to thrive as members of the Bnei David community. Contact Rabbi Yaron Levy 972-52-312-1398 or by email bdep@bneidavid.org.