9.5 MONTHS・CO-ED・ENGLISH & HEBREW
NORTH AMERICA・EUROPE・AMÉRICA LATINA・ISRAEL
The Mechina Olamit is a challenging, intensive, and highly rewarding leadership program in Israel that develops skills for life.
Operating in a religious Zionist, co-ed environment, Jewish high school graduates from around the world join with their Israeli counterparts for a truly transformative year in Israel. Guided by a strong team of dedicated staff, participants experience an incredible process of learning, self-empowerment, and growth, preparing them for the army, university and leadership roles in their communal and professional lives well into the future.
*Note:
All World Bnei Akiva programs are continuing to run during this challenging period in Israel. Applications for 2025 are now open! The deadline, which runs in line with the Joint Yeshiva & Seminary application will be announced soon.
At a glance
Duration: 9.5 months
August: Pre-Mechina days
September: Orientation, Gush Etzion Week
October: Chagim, Navigation Week, Jerusalem Seminar
November: Tzahal Week, Peoplehood Seminar
December: Southern Challenge, Chanukah Break
January: Volunteering, Yehuda/Shomron Week
February: Chovek Yisrael
March: 3rd Semester: Internships/Sem or Yeshiva, Purim
April: Poland Journey, Pesach Break
May: Israel’s National Holidays, Northern Hike
June: Shavuot, Closing
The “Mechina” formula is a real Israeli success story. Each year tens of thousands of young Israelis join one of hundreds of Mechinot in the country to prepare for the challenges of transitioning from school into the IDF. Many of them go on to leadership roles both within and after the army. Our Mechina Olamit program applies this same successful formula for young Jews from the around the world as they transition to university, community leadership roles, and their professional lives in the future.
Living in Migdal Oz, just 30 min from Jerusalem, and learning with Israelis on the program, our participants will immerse themselves in experiential Torah learning, deepening knowledge of Jewish Peoplehood, community involvement, leadership, Hasbara, discovering Israel, fitness, navigation skills, training, and more! Throughout the program, participants build friendships and connections with Jews from around the world, that last for life!
Designed for post-high school (gap year) students, World Bnei Akiva, in partnership with Kol Ami, brings together a diverse group of students from around the world for a wide range of program components as part of the full 9 month program, including two semesters together with Israeli pre-army participants, followed by the third semester which includes further seminars and hikes, plus your choice of Sem/Yeshiva or an Internship for 3 days a week, and a trip to Poland.
The 3rd Semester
The final 3 months of the program, known as the “Third Semester”, is for the overseas participants only as the Israelis leave to draft to the IDF. After intensive programming throughout the core of the Mechina, the Third Semester offers participants the opportunity to now live more independently, and focus on an experiential track of interest that they choose. Living together on the Mechina campus, participants will spend 3 days of each week in one of two tracks. The remaining 2 weekdays and weekends incorporate programming at the campus including sports, classes, seminars, field trips and more. Overseas participants who are considering leaving together with Israelis after 6 months should enquire during registration.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN TRACK; read more >>>
A highlight of the Third Semester is the journey to Poland; read more >>>>>>
Journey to Poland
A highlight of the 3rd Semester is the journey to Poland. In preparation for this journey a special seminar exposes participants to different issues related to the Shoah, including pre-war European Jewry, the partisan forces, the relationship with the foundation of Israel, the role of the Zionist youth movements during this period, and how survivors were treated in Israel after the war. Visits to Israel’s Holocaust museums, and survivor testimonials help to frame the experiences to come on the Journey to Poland.
Starting and ending in Israel, the trip focuses on the experiences of Polish Jewry throughout its history. We explore the immense and beautiful Jewry of pre-war Poland, dating back 800 years, and examine the years of the Holocaust by visiting Jewish ghettos, death and labour camps, and other significant sites. The trip is prepared meticulously by our educational team to ensure a most powerful and meaningful experience.
Meet The Team
AYELET MYERS
Office Manager, Mechina Olamit
SHMUEL FLEISHER
Rosh Beit Midrash
AVISHAI AUGENBRAUN
Head, Mechina Olamit
RAV ARI HABER
Program Rabbi
DAPHNA REFAELI
Director of Israel Programs
HOW TO APPLY
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Click below on the APPLY HERE button | Once you have begun the application process, you can sign back in as many times as you like to continue the application.
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Register with MASA at www.masaisrael.org | Masa is a project of the Israeli government that offers Hachshara participants an automatic grant, with further needs based funding available.
How much does the Mechina Olamit cost?
The 2025 price for the Mechina Full Program (9.5 months) is 80,000nis and Mechina 6 month program costs 55,000nis. The cost will cover tuition, seminars, tiyulim, accommodation, special Shabbatot, group transportation, staff and medical insurance.
Not covered by the medical insurance are costs related to optical care and treatment of prior dental problems, medical care relating to pre-existing conditions. The full Maccabi insurance policy details and it’s exclusions can be viewed here. In addition, you may want laundry done at certain parts of the year (eg. Marva/Mada periods), and you may be required to purchase your own books and learning materials for the study periods.
How will I know if I have been accepted?
After we receive and review your application, you’ll be invited for an interview. Your interview allows us to get to know you a bit better and assess your suitability for the program. It will also give you the opportunity to ask any specific questions you may have.
Shortly after the interview, you’ll be informed of your acceptance. Your place will be confirmed only after the payment plan has been agreed.
Maya, USA
Mechina olamit didn’t just prepare me for the army it prepared me for life. I learned leadership skills, navigation, and completed challenges I never thought were possible and made friends for life. Mechina fostered my love of Israel, zionism, judaism and personal growth. Mechina was the greatest experience ever and I would recommend it to everyone!!
Sofia, England
Mechina ended up being so much more than a gap year to me.
I discovered so much about myself and so much about the person I want to become. I was put in situations which I never thought I would be in, which pushed me beyond my limits, and taught me so many valuable lessons.
I made friends and memories for life, and will forever be grateful to Mechina Olamit for the experiences it gave me.
Liam, USA
Mechina overall has been an experience of a life time where I made friends from all of the world that I’ll have forever, and overall prepared me for my future in the army. Some of the highlights from Mechina were tzhal week and navigation week.
Shira, USA
My mechina year was the best experience I’ve ever had. I was surrounded by the most motivated, down to earth people from all around the world. I felt both encouraged and challenged by both my friends and the staff at Mechina. My perspective on life has changed and my love and passion for Israel has grown indefinitely!
Shira, England
I chose Mechina Olamit because of its perfect mixture of different elements varying from learning about Judaism and Israel, volunteering and army training. What stood out to me about mechina is its unique combination of chulnikim and Israelis and connecting likeminded Jews from across the world and Israel. I loved every second of the programme with my highlight being chovek, a two week trip fully planned by the Chanichim from start to end. I would 100% recommend!!
Nadav, Netherlands
My time in Mechina was so special and inspiring because of the diversity of the program. You do a lot of different things and you get a bit from everything. The best thing for me was being with Israelis and really being connected to Israel in a way I’ve never experienced before.
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