9 MONTHS・CO-ED・ENGLISH
UK・EUROUPE・CANADA
Torani is an uplifting, inspiring and empowering gap year programme in Israel with Bnei Akiva. You’ll learn new skills, enhance old ones, develop your Jewish identity and adapt to new environments - all while enjoying the group experience.
On Torani, you’ll spend most of your year in Yeshiva/Midrasha, as well as having the Bnei Akiva experience of Israel, which includes enriching seminars, leadership training, Shabbatonim, and living on a Kibbutz.
On Torani, you will learn about Judaism as you never had before, and gain the skills, drive and passion to develop your own Jewish identity. Torani is all about learning: learning about yourself and learning to be a leader. It’s a year for yourself, but it is especially a year to learn how you can make an impact on society around you.
*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 months
Sep: Opening Tiyul and Shabbat
Oct: Sukkot Seminar
Nov: Tiyul
Dec: Shabbat Hachshara & Ha’Irgun
Jan: Community Shabbat
Feb: Shabbat Shevet Dorot
Mar/April: Pesach Seminar
June: Closing Shabbaton
Torani is designed to enhance your year of learning. When you are not in Yeshiva or Midrasha we’ll provide a variety of programmes to let you live and feel the pulse of the Land and State of Israel. Torani will be your family in Israel. A year in Midrasha or Yeshiva will be the most independent that you have ever been in your life, yet with Torani you can relax with the knowledge that your needs are being looked after. From welcoming you at Ben Gurion Airport and taking you to your Midrasha or Yeshiva, to arranging shabbat hospitality for whenever you need, you can always rely on us to be there for you!
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Leadership TrainingWith our professional guidance, and carefully crafted activities and workshops, participants develop their own unique leadership skills, and the confidence to serve as a personal example. Through their own initiative and teamwork they establish and run committees that steer the very course of the program, and work on individual and group projects to hone their skills. Committees are responsible for many aspects of Mechina life including educational content, PR, cooking, army preparation, tiyulim and more.
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Torah learning and lifestyleOur learning program teaches a religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox educational philosophy. We believe in learning for the sake of growing which makes classes lively, positive, relevant and involved. Topics studied include Torah and Jewish texts, tfilla, emuna, Jewish history, Zionism, and philosophy. You’ll be guided throughout, and different levels will be catered for. To be a participant on the Mechina, you don’t need prior knowledge in Jewish studies – you just need commitment to learn and to grow.
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Community ServiceAs part of the immersion into Israeli society and to contribute to it, participants dedicate time to volunteer within a local community. Projects include teaching English in schools, visiting the elderly, working with people with disabilities, and agricultural work.
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Love of IsraelParticipants discover Israel both geographically and socially, as we encourage them to challenge their pre-existing perceptions of the country and the people. They are exposed to all sectors of the Israeli population, and develop their own understanding of how the pioneering spirit is still very much alive in contemporary Israel. With the Love and connection to the Land of Israel being such a core element of the program, our participants grow to become the newest link in the chain of pioneers.
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Fitness Camp and Army PreparationWe make every effort to ensure that participants going into the IDF have a meaningful service. Therefore, there are classes and activities carefully designed to deal with a wide range of subjects relating to army service including ethics, leadership and structure of the IDF. Twice a week there are physical training classes for all participants. Classes are run by professionals as well as by participants. Participants gain self-empowerment through coping with physically challenging situations, and develop physical fitness and mental stability.
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Hebrew LearningThroughout the program, our international participants take part in our own dedicated “Ulpan” – intensive Hebrew learning course, with 2 classes a week divided according to 3 different levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. However the best Hebrew learning is through their daily interactions with their Israeli peers at the Mechina with whom they share everything.
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Jewish PeoplehoodThe Mechina Olamit strives to bolster the link between Israel’s Jews and Diaspora Jewry through their common historical, religious, and cultural heritage. We actively work to instill within our participants a desire for mutual action and commitment to a stronger and positive Jewish future.
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Seminars, Camp, and TripsThere are regular three to six-day seminars and trips around the country to expose the participants to a wide array of topics and build an intimate familiarity with land of Israel. Seminars include: Israeli society, Shoah, Zionism, Jewish Peoplehood, Gush Etzion, Navigation, Army preparation, Desert Survival and Chovek Israel – the final two-week trip from North to South of Israel planned entirely by participants. Participants help plan and run many aspects of each trip and seminar, including building educational elements, accommodation, cooking, navigating, and guest speakers.
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Safety and SecurityWe understand that applicants and their families may have concerns about participant safety over the course of the program, and about the dynamic security situation in Israel. Your safety & security is our number one priority. As an approved MASA program, all World Bnei Akiva Hachshara Israel programs follow the safety and security guidelines outlined by MASA for all their programs. Please visit the MASA safety page for more information and interactive video with MASA’s Chief Security Officer, Amir Keinan.
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Health and WellbeingWorld Bnei Akiva take our participants’ physical & emotional wellbeing very seriously. Noting the rise in emotional challenges amongst youth, we have commissioned the services and support of “Keshev”- a professional organization in the mental health and wellness field. Keshev provides us a with a wide variety of services including group sessions and one-on-one meetings with participants on topics of mental health such as anxiety, depression, sexuality, eating disorders and more. They provide emergency on-call support to staff, and designated on site hours for any participant who needs extra support mentally or emotionally. Through their team, our participants and staff are offered guidance and support needed, to help them to have an emotionally healthy and safe year. To learn more visit www.keshevcenter.com
SHABBATOT
Group Shabbatot
A few times during the year, Torani will reunite to spend Shabbat together. We choose the venues carefully so that you’ll enjoy Shabbat against a backdrop of some of Israel’s most beautiful settings. You’ll sing, share Divrei Torah, and enjoy meals together – all while seeing much more of Israel.
Shabbat Irgun
Shabbat Irgun in Israel is the culmination of a month of celebrations, which includes a special ceremony at which the newest shevet name is revealed. Shabbat Ha’irgun is the highlight of the year for members of Bnei Akiva in Israel – and you’ll be joining one of the local branches of BA to share in the celebrations, and getting to know your Israeli counterparts.
Shabbat Hachshara
Torani will join together with the rest of World Bnei Akiva’s many Hachshara programmes from all over the world to enjoy Shabbat with an international flavor. There will be around 200 people from every continent, and while you might not all speak the same language, you ’ll all have one thing in common – you are all part of Bnei Akiva
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Leadership TrainingWith our professional guidance, and carefully crafted activities and workshops, participants develop their own unique leadership skills, and the confidence to serve as a personal example. Through their own initiative and teamwork they establish and run committees that steer the very course of the program, and work on individual and group projects to hone their skills. Committees are responsible for many aspects of Mechina life including educational content, PR, cooking, army preparation, tiyulim and more.
-
Torah learning and lifestyleOur learning program teaches a religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox educational philosophy. We believe in learning for the sake of growing which makes classes lively, positive, relevant and involved. Topics studied include Torah and Jewish texts, tfilla, emuna, Jewish history, Zionism, and philosophy. You’ll be guided throughout, and different levels will be catered for. To be a participant on the Mechina, you don’t need prior knowledge in Jewish studies – you just need commitment to learn and to grow.
-
Community ServiceAs part of the immersion into Israeli society and to contribute to it, participants dedicate time to volunteer within a local community. Projects include teaching English in schools, visiting the elderly, working with people with disabilities, and agricultural work.
-
Love of IsraelParticipants discover Israel both geographically and socially, as we encourage them to challenge their pre-existing perceptions of the country and the people. They are exposed to all sectors of the Israeli population, and develop their own understanding of how the pioneering spirit is still very much alive in contemporary Israel. With the Love and connection to the Land of Israel being such a core element of the program, our participants grow to become the newest link in the chain of pioneers.
-
Fitness Camp and Army PreparationWe make every effort to ensure that participants going into the IDF have a meaningful service. Therefore, there are classes and activities carefully designed to deal with a wide range of subjects relating to army service including ethics, leadership and structure of the IDF. Twice a week there are physical training classes for all participants. Classes are run by professionals as well as by participants. Participants gain self-empowerment through coping with physically challenging situations, and develop physical fitness and mental stability.
-
Hebrew LearningThroughout the program, our international participants take part in our own dedicated “Ulpan” – intensive Hebrew learning course, with 2 classes a week divided according to 3 different levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. However the best Hebrew learning is through their daily interactions with their Israeli peers at the Mechina with whom they share everything.
-
Jewish PeoplehoodThe Mechina Olamit strives to bolster the link between Israel’s Jews and Diaspora Jewry through their common historical, religious, and cultural heritage. We actively work to instill within our participants a desire for mutual action and commitment to a stronger and positive Jewish future.
-
Seminars, Camp, and TripsThere are regular three to six-day seminars and trips around the country to expose the participants to a wide array of topics and build an intimate familiarity with land of Israel. Seminars include: Israeli society, Shoah, Zionism, Jewish Peoplehood, Gush Etzion, Navigation, Army preparation, Desert Survival and Chovek Israel – the final two-week trip from North to South of Israel planned entirely by participants. Participants help plan and run many aspects of each trip and seminar, including building educational elements, accommodation, cooking, navigating, and guest speakers.
-
Safety and SecurityWe understand that applicants and their families may have concerns about participant safety over the course of the program, and about the dynamic security situation in Israel. Your safety & security is our number one priority. As an approved MASA program, all World Bnei Akiva Hachshara Israel programs follow the safety and security guidelines outlined by MASA for all their programs. Please visit the MASA safety page for more information and interactive video with MASA’s Chief Security Officer, Amir Keinan.
-
Health and WellbeingWorld Bnei Akiva take our participants’ physical & emotional wellbeing very seriously. Noting the rise in emotional challenges amongst youth, we have commissioned the services and support of “Keshev”- a professional organization in the mental health and wellness field. Keshev provides us a with a wide variety of services including group sessions and one-on-one meetings with participants on topics of mental health such as anxiety, depression, sexuality, eating disorders and more. They provide emergency on-call support to staff, and designated on site hours for any participant who needs extra support mentally or emotionally. Through their team, our participants and staff are offered guidance and support needed, to help them to have an emotionally healthy and safe year. To learn more visit www.keshevcenter.com
TORANI & WBA
Am Yisrael
Throughout Torani our experiences will be infused with ‘what it means to be a part of Am Yisrael’ already as a group of individuals from the United Kingdom
and Europe we will learn about different hashkafot and most importantly focus on community responsibility. – Kol Yisrael Areivim Ze Baze. Being on a
Hachshara program allows you to meet and have interactions with different cultures and groups from other countries – as well as exploring the
responsibility Am Yisrael’s role in this generation.
Eretz Yisrael
Whilst living in Israel for the year Torani strives to explore and enhance your time through tiyulim and shabbatonim across the country. Throughout your
time on Torani you will learn about influential personalities that helped to build the state, learn about the Pioneers and the history of the IDF and Israeli
Wars. We will also explore what modern Israel is – understanding what Avodah means today and exploring and understanding the political landscape. On
Torani we will endevour to increase your Hasbara skills (Israel Advocacy) as well as your love for the Land of Israel!
Torat Yisrael
Mostly experienced through your time at Midrasha or Yeshiva, everything we do on Torani is infused with Torat Yisrael. Through open beit midrah, Shiurim
and chaburot we not only provide many opportunities for you to partake in Torat Yisrael but also learn how to lead it. With constant opportunities to lead
Meet The Team
YOSEF BESSO-COWON
Head of Program – Torani
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 Torani cost?
The programme fee is 3000£ including flight or 2300£ not including flight payable to Bnei Akiva UK which covers return group flights, administration and programming during the year. Additional funding may be available in the form of a UJIA subsidy. This fee, paid to Bnei Akiva UK, covers flights, administration costs and upgraded activities. Each Yeshiva or Midrasha will notify all applicants of their fee, and this should be paid directly to them.
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
Raphael, London
Torani was one of the highlights of my time in Israel. It gave me a chance to connect with and make new friends in other yeshivot/ midrashot who also cared about Bnei Akiva.
I loved how there were programs run during the holidays so that I didn’t need to stress about what to fill my time doing. Instead we went on incredible tiyulim around the country. The highlight of my year in Israel was spending time working on a kibbutz for a couple weeks. I had the chance to milk cows, work the land and spend lots of time in the Ma’ayan (spring). Working on the Kibbutz culminated in spending Seder night together which was an incredible experience where we all shared our customs and thoughts on the Seder.
Moriya, Vienna
Spending this year in Israel on Torani has been an unbelievable experience. An experience full of joy, life lessons, and opportunities. Through Torani I got the zchut to spend my year in midreshet Harova, where I got the skills to learn, understand and enjoy Torah on a very deep level. What's amazing about Torani is that whatever fun experience we have together, it is surrounded by this beautiful atmosphere of Torah, song and dance. Thanks to the incredible people on Torani, it has been a blast!”
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