Two family groups of high school grads from 8 different countries have just begun their journey of discovery, personal development, independence, and adventure in Israel!
Stay tuned to this blog as we follow them around Israel as they forge their paths with Kivun!
Kivun is a Co-ed, experiential, 9-month Israel immersion program for the Northern Hemisphere, focusing on personal development, independent living and Jewish growth. Participants live in apartments in Jerusalem, where together with friends they learn about themselves, Judaism and Zionism through an incredible array of experiences such as Kibbutz, Volunteering, Seminars, Professional Internship, Magen David Adom, and IDF experience.
Shalom!
The last few weeks were very busy and significant for the program. This is a period of the year where – unlike internships – participants are brought far out of their comfort zones and are challenged in many different ways through the different tracks we offer – mainly Magen David Adom and Marva.
It was exciting to accompany the participants as they went through the registration to the Marva course and from there they departed to the base. We are in touch with the participants throughout their time there (when the IDF commanders allow!) and speak to them about their first impressions of the experience. The initial period can be challenging so we tried to be there for them as much as possible. In the middle of their first week, Kivun staff went to the base to visit the participants and to be part of their first “swearing-in” ceremony in the army, it was a very moving moment. During the ceremony, the participants received their weapons (of course ones that can not be used) and received a Tanach as well, representing the gateway to the military system and their responsibility towards human life and the security of the State of Israel. On Tuesday, the staff visited the group on the base again. We were excited to see them again in their uniforms and to hear more about their experiences.
The rest of the participants spent a week at the Sar-El course. They were divided into 2 bases where they volunteered in the logistics warehouses and went through military-related experiences. They had the chance to learn about the army weapons, about the different units, and were able to have a small taste of the Israeli army experience. Last week in the lead-up to their MDA course, we ran a preparatory seminar for MDA, with different lectures regarding medicine and the Halacha, and did some volunteering at one of the largest NGO's in Israel, Yad Sarah.
Participants have been studying intensively in the MDA course and will be there through Thursday following their final exams. On Sunday they begin their volunteering period in Ashdod, which will be complemented by regular shiurim and activities by Kivun staff.
We are also extremely proud of participants who are dedicating these two months to Torah study in Yeshiva and Midrasha!
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