Israel Programs WikiI am so grateful for the opportunity to learn so much and meet such incredible people throughout Mechina. My year pushed me outside my comfort zone, helped me grow more independent, and gave me experiences and relationships that will stay with me for life. After this year, especially after spending time with Israelis, I was exposed to different perspectives on life that changed the way I think about many things. I believe everyone can benefit from an experience such as this one - a journey like this isn’t just about exploring Israel; it’s also about exploring yourself.
M
Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami)
המכינה העולמית
World Bnei Akiva · Jerusalem
#aliyah#bnei-akiva#lone-soldier#religious-mechina#scholarships-available#masa#mechina#coed#jerusalem#integration-high#essence-spiritual-growth#essence-pre-military
Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) is a mechina in Jerusalem, open to men and women.
A 9-month (or 6-month, depending on the track you decide), co-educational, army-preperation and leadership gap year. The program is completely mixed between Israeli and overseas participants, combining immersive Zionist and Jewish learning with hands-on leadership experiences at World Bnei Akiva's flagship international mechina campus in Jerusalem. The first 3 months of the program are run in English, the second 3 in Hebrew, and the final 3 months are for overseas participants only, and in English.
Poll results
Best for someone who wants a real Israeli social circle · Hebrew that actually sticks · an English-friendly landing
Rate this program
8 people have rated this program.
Would you recommend it to a friend?
1 Definitely not · 5 Definitely
Asked "Would you recommend it to a friend?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.9 out of 5 (1 = Definitely not, 5 = Definitely), based on 8 responses.
n=8How much did your connection to israel grow
1 It didn't · 5 Profoundly
Asked "How much did your connection to israel grow", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 5.0 out of 5 (1 = It didn't, 5 = Profoundly), based on 8 responses.
n=8How much did your Hebrew actually improve, honestly, by the end?
1 No improvement · 5 Completely Transformed
Asked "How much did your Hebrew actually improve, honestly, by the end?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.0 out of 5 (1 = No improvement, 5 = Completely Transformed), based on 8 responses.
n=8How did you typically spend your free evenings during the program?
1 Almost always stayed in5 Almost always went out
Closest to: Mostly went out, occasionally stayed in
Asked "How did you typically spend your free evenings during the program?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "Mostly went out, occasionally stayed in", based on 4 responses.
n=4How much did your experience depend on which specific staff/rabbis/madrichim you got?
1 Same for everyone5 Depended completely
Closest to: Depended somewhat
Asked "How much did your experience depend on which specific staff/rabbis/madrichim you got?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "Depended somewhat", based on 8 responses.
n=8How niche are the people that go to this program?
Not enough responses yet.
How much were you treated as an adult vs. managed like a student?
1 Completely like a student 5 Completely like an adult
Closest to: Mostly like an adult
Asked "How much were you treated as an adult vs. managed like a student?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "Mostly like an adult", based on 6 responses.
n=6How much freedom did you have over your own time and choices?
1 None5 I was free to do whatever I wanted
Closest to: A lot
Asked "How much freedom did you have over your own time and choices?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "A lot", based on 6 responses.
n=6How much prior Torah learning background did you need to keep up?
1 No background necessary5 In depth Gemara with proficient Aramaic
Closest to: 2
n=7How much did the program contribute to your desire to learn?
Not enough responses yet.
How much are you still learning now, after the program?
Not enough responses yet.
How much free time do you have outside of a learning schedule?
1 I had no free time outside of a learning schedule5 I had all the free time in the world
Closest to: I had an ok amount of free time
Asked "How much free time do you have outside of a learning schedule?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "I had an ok amount of free time", based on 8 responses.
n=8If you know, what type of units did the top third of people from your cohort actually go to?
1 Jobnik/intellegence 5 Elite units
Closest to: Gdudim/Basic infantry
Asked "If you know, what type of units did the top third of people from your cohort actually go to?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "Gdudim/Basic infantry", based on 8 responses.
n=8How realistic a picture did the program give you of army service?
Not enough responses yet.
Did the preparation help you stay strong throughout your whole service?
Not enough responses yet.
How much were you accompanied and mentored through the service?
1 Not at all I was on my own · 5 Fully accompanied and mentored
Asked "How much were you accompanied and mentored through the service?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.2 out of 5 (1 = Not at all I was on my own, 5 = Fully accompanied and mentored), based on 6 responses.
n=6How much did the program guide and support you through actually signing up and drafting?
1 Left me on my own · 5 Held my hand the whole way
Asked "How much did the program guide and support you through actually signing up and drafting?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 3.8 out of 5 (1 = Left me on my own, 5 = Held my hand the whole way), based on 6 responses.
n=6How much did the hebrew that you learned in the program stick or fade?
1 Faded Completely · 5 All the Hebrew I learned stayed with me
Asked "How much did the hebrew that you learned in the program stick or fade?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.3 out of 5 (1 = Faded Completely, 5 = All the Hebrew I learned stayed with me), based on 8 responses.
n=8How available are resources for learning hebrew, (ie ulpan)?
1 No resources available you are on your own · 5 All the resources available Ulpan everyday
Asked "How available are resources for learning hebrew, (ie ulpan)?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 3.1 out of 5 (1 = No resources available you are on your own, 5 = All the resources available Ulpan everyday), based on 8 responses.
n=8How much of the day did you need to use Hebrew vs. able to fall back on English?
1 Always able to speak English5 Always need to speak Hebrew
Closest to: Mostly able to speak English
Asked "How much of the day did you need to use Hebrew vs. able to fall back on English?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "Mostly able to speak English", based on 8 responses.
n=8How much prior Hebrew did you need to not feel lost?
1 No Hebrew5 Completely Fluent
Closest to: A little bit of Hebrew
Asked "How much prior Hebrew did you need to not feel lost?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "A little bit of Hebrew", based on 8 responses.
n=8How easily did you find people you clicked with?
1 Never really did · 5 Found my people fast
Asked "How easily did you find people you clicked with?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.8 out of 5 (1 = Never really did, 5 = Found my people fast), based on 6 responses.
n=6How much do you feel you gained close friendships that lasted?
1 None Lasted · 5 Lifelong Friends
Asked "How much do you feel you gained close friendships that lasted?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.8 out of 5 (1 = None Lasted, 5 = Lifelong Friends), based on 6 responses.
n=6How much did the social scene depend on your particular cohort?
Not enough responses yet.
How much did the program strengthen your intention to build a life in Israel?
1 No Effect · 5 Changed my direction
Asked "How much did the program strengthen your intention to build a life in Israel?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 5.0 out of 5 (1 = No Effect, 5 = Changed my direction), based on 6 responses.
n=6Did the program give you a real social circle of Israelis to lean on?
1 None · 5 A real support system
Asked "Did the program give you a real social circle of Israelis to lean on?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 5.0 out of 5 (1 = None, 5 = A real support system), based on 6 responses.
n=6How much did the program push you out of your comfort zone?
1 I stayed with-in my comfort zone5 I was pushed completely out of my comfort zone
Closest to: I was greatly pushed
Asked "How much did the program push you out of your comfort zone?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "I was greatly pushed", based on 6 responses.
n=6Did the learning translate into something you kept doing after the program?
1 No I did not continue any learning after the program · 5 Yes I have many chavrutot and do daily learning (ie daf yomi)
Asked "Did the learning translate into something you kept doing after the program?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 2.9 out of 5 (1 = No I did not continue any learning after the program, 5 = Yes I have many chavrutot and do daily learning (ie daf yomi)), based on 8 responses.
n=8Was the program what you expected, or different?
1 Much worse than expected5 Much better
Closest to: Better than expected
Asked "Was the program what you expected, or different?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) answered closest to "Better than expected", based on 8 responses.
n=8How well did the program prepare you for the army?
1 Not at all · 5 Extremely well
Asked "How well did the program prepare you for the army?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.1 out of 5 (1 = Not at all, 5 = Extremely well), based on 7 responses.
n=7How much did the program actually make you want to stay in Israel?
1 No desire whatsoever · 5 Changed my trajectory
Asked "How much did the program actually make you want to stay in Israel?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 5.0 out of 5 (1 = No desire whatsoever, 5 = Changed my trajectory), based on 6 responses.
n=6How much are you still connected to learning now, after the program?
1 Not at all · 5 It's a part of my life
Asked "How much are you still connected to learning now, after the program?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 2.6 out of 5 (1 = Not at all, 5 = It's a part of my life), based on 8 responses.
n=8How meaningful was that Army preparation to you personally?
1 Not Meaningful · 5 Very Meaningful
Asked "How meaningful was that Army preparation to you personally?", alumni of Mechina Olamit (World Bnei Akiva and Kol Ami) averaged 4.9 out of 5 (1 = Not Meaningful, 5 = Very Meaningful), based on 8 responses.
n=8Who it's for
For religious-Zionist gap-year students wanting a 6/9-month program joint with Israelis, that includes many army preparation activities, helping potential olim get used to Israeli beurocracy and culture as well as the army/drafting process. The program is leadership oriented as well, suitable for participants not drafting, equipping them with tools for lives of Shlichut on campus and in communities abroad.
- Duration
- Gap Year — 6/9 months
- How to sign up
- Apply through worldbneiakiva.org's Mechina Olamit program page. https://www.worldbneiakiva.org/mechina-more
- Contact
- office@worldbneiakiva.orgNot yet verified0523992781https://www.worldbneiakiva.org/
Videos
No videos yet.
Reviews
Would you recommend it to a friend?
Yes, I would only recommend if they are interested in drafting now saying you have to draft but you should go in with it being a option.
How much did your connection to israel grow
I felt like I got to know the country very well especially the Gush Etzion region. You make friends with Israelis from all over the country and go to there for Shabbat as well.
How much did your Hebrew actually improve, honestly, by the end?
My Hebrew improved a lot because I pushed myself to speak Hebrew with the Israel if you do not push yourself, you can go through the whole program without speaking a word of Hebrew.
How much did your experience depend on which specific staff/rabbis/madrichim you got?
The quality of the staff is amazing. Obviously people have preferences.
How much prior Torah learning background did you need to keep up?
You need no Torah learning background to keep up
How much free time do you have outside of a learning schedule?
You have the perfect amount of free time it is intense, but there is a healthy balance.
How much were you accompanied and mentored through the service?
You’re monitored almost all the time it really helped me when it came to asking questions about the army, and I felt like I was walked through the whole program
How much did the program guide and support you through actually signing up and drafting?
Through every step they help me I cannot stress us enough. They are there for you until the day you come out of the army?
How much did the hebrew that you learned in the program stick or fade?
I drafted immediately to the army so all the Hebrew I had to use immediately
How available are resources for learning hebrew, (ie ulpan)?
There is ulpan once a week. It’s a joke. You have to talk with the Israel if you want to learn Hebrew
Ulpan sucks the only way you learn is by speaking with your friends
How easily did you find people you clicked with?
There like my family
How much do you feel you gained close friendships that lasted?
These are people that I will be in contact with for the rest of my life
I came to Mechina Olamit knowing no one and came out with so many friends that will stay with me for the whole of my life.
Overall, how was the program?
I attended Mechina Olamit, a religious pre-military Mechina located in Kibbutz Migdal Oz. I chose it because I wanted a more immersive and challenging Israel experience rather than a typical seminary or party-style program. Throughout the year, I was pushed to my limits and had the opportunity to learn more about myself, my values, and what I really want in life. Together with Israelis, we alternated between structured “shigra” weeks, containing classes, tefilot, workouts, and other programming, and more intensive “sidra” weeks, which included navigation week, army week, and agriculture week. Through both classroom learning and hands-on experiences, I expanded my knowledge and had so much fun. I genuinely had a life-changing year.
I went to Mechina Olamit before drafting as a lone soldier. To keep it short it was one of the best experiences of my life the staff is amazing and the program is just as good. They really care about what they do!
Mechina Olamit improved me so much as a person and I would say that the program has changed me for the better.
Was the program what you expected, or different?
It was better then I expected the connection I made to the people who were also at the Mechina is amazing there like family.
How much are you still connected to learning now, after the program?
I definitely feel much more connected to learning and to prayer.
Did the learning translate into something you kept doing after the program?
I try to do as much learning as I can now
How well did the program prepare you for the army?
I think they prepared me very well but again you have to push yourself to ask questions.
Mental not physical
How much did the program push you out of your comfort zone?
I loved doing everything we did
General reviews
Jeremy Kessler
Great program
Alumni References
Some past participants have offered to answer questions about their experience.
Last updated: