Israel Programs WikiFor anyone going to make aliya an Israeli mechina is the best investment one can do
O
Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona)
מכינת עצם
Mechinat Otzem · Chalutza (Border of Egypt and Gaza), southern Israel
#overseas-program#age-gap-year#religious-mechina#boys-only#integration-high#rz-modern-orthodox#essence-spiritual-growth#essence-pre-military#southern-israel
Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) is a religious-Zionist program in Chalutza, southern Israel, for gap-year students, men only.
A dedicated English-language overseas track of the religious Zionist Mechinat Otzem, allowing young Jewish men from abroad to live, study Torah, and volunteer alongside Israeli mechina students for a gap year, with many graduates going on to IDF special forces units. One of the few mechinot with a purpose-built English-speaking cohort for overseas participants.
Poll results
Best for someone who wants Hebrew that actually sticks · a real Israeli social circle · a track toward elite and combat units
Rate this program
10 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.8 out of 5 (1 = Definitely not, 5 = Definitely), based on 9 responses.
n=9How much did your connection to israel grow
1 It didn't · 5 Profoundly
Asked "How much did your connection to israel grow", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.4 out of 5 (1 = It didn't, 5 = Profoundly), based on 9 responses.
n=9How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.2 out of 5 (1 = No improvement, 5 = Completely Transformed), based on 10 responses.
n=10How did you typically spend your free evenings during the program?
Not enough responses yet.
How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "Depended somewhat", based on 9 responses.
n=9How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "Mostly like an adult", based on 7 responses.
n=7How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "A lot", based on 7 responses.
n=7How much prior Torah learning background did you need to keep up?
1 No background necessary5 In depth Gemara with proficient Aramaic
Closest to: 3
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 a lot of free time
Asked "How much free time do you have outside of a learning schedule?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "I had a lot of free time", based on 6 responses.
n=6If 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: Sayeret/Commando
Asked "If you know, what type of units did the top third of people from your cohort actually go to?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "Sayeret/Commando", based on 6 responses.
n=6How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 3.6 out of 5 (1 = Not at all I was on my own, 5 = Fully accompanied and mentored), based on 5 responses.
n=5How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 2.9 out of 5 (1 = Left me on my own, 5 = Held my hand the whole way), based on 7 responses.
n=7How was the food, realistically, day to day?
1 Not good at all · 5 5 Star Hotel
Asked "How was the food, realistically, day to day?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.3 out of 5 (1 = Not good at all, 5 = 5 Star Hotel), based on 7 responses.
n=7How would you rate the living conditions?
1 Not good at all · 5 5 Star Hotel
Asked "How would you rate the living conditions?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.2 out of 5 (1 = Not good at all, 5 = 5 Star Hotel), based on 6 responses.
n=6How much privacy/personal space did you have?
1 None/ Felt cramped · 5 All the space in the world
Asked "How much privacy/personal space did you have?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 3.6 out of 5 (1 = None/ Felt cramped, 5 = All the space in the world), based on 7 responses.
n=7How responsive was staff when something practical broke or went wrong?
1 Ignored it · 5 Fixed things immediately
Asked "How responsive was staff when something practical broke or went wrong?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 3.8 out of 5 (1 = Ignored it, 5 = Fixed things immediately), 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.3 out of 5 (1 = Faded Completely, 5 = All the Hebrew I learned stayed with me), based on 6 responses.
n=6How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 3.1 out of 5 (1 = No resources available you are on your own, 5 = All the resources available Ulpan everyday), based on 7 responses.
n=7How 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 need to use Hebrew
Asked "How much of the day did you need to use Hebrew vs. able to fall back on English?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "Mostly need to use Hebrew", based on 7 responses.
n=7How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "A little bit of Hebrew", based on 6 responses.
n=6How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.6 out of 5 (1 = No Effect, 5 = Changed my direction), based on 7 responses.
n=7Did 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.1 out of 5 (1 = None, 5 = A real support system), based on 7 responses.
n=7How easily did you find people you clicked with?
Not enough responses yet.
How much do you feel you gained close friendships that lasted?
Not enough responses yet.
How much did the social scene depend on your particular cohort?
Not enough responses yet.
How 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 decently pushed
Asked "How much did the program push you out of your comfort zone?", alumni of Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "I was decently pushed", based on 3 responses.
n=3Did 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 3.8 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 4 responses.
n=4Was 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) answered closest to "Better than expected", based on 7 responses.
n=7How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.5 out of 5 (1 = Not at all, 5 = Extremely well), based on 4 responses.
n=4How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 5.0 out of 5 (1 = No desire whatsoever, 5 = Changed my trajectory), based on 4 responses.
n=4How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 4.3 out of 5 (1 = Not at all, 5 = It's a part of my life), based on 4 responses.
n=4How 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 Otzem Overseas Program (Atzmona) averaged 5.0 out of 5 (1 = Not Meaningful, 5 = Very Meaningful), based on 4 responses.
n=4- Duration
- Gap Year — ~1- 2 year(s)
- How to sign up
- Contact Otzem's overseas program office directly (English speakers' program led by Rabbi Yaron Levy). https://otzem.org.il/overseas-program/
- Contact
- office@otzem.org.ilNot yet verified052-591-0903https://otzem.org.il/overseas-program/
Videos
Reviews
Would you recommend it to a friend?
How much did your connection to israel grow
When I was with my friends outside of the program, I connected more with israel.
How much did your Hebrew actually improve, honestly, by the end?
I couldn't understand basic conversation flow before the program. Afterwards, I could sit through 40-minute classes all in Hebrew, only missing a couple of words throughout it and I ended up getting a 7 on my tzav rishon, (according to the speaking part I honestly could've gotten an 8, but there were written questions that I didn't know a couple of words for but it set me up extremly well for the army)
It’s bound to improve but achieving excellence is dependent on how much one decides to speak the language
How did you typically spend your free evenings during the program?
It's in the middle of nowhere so it's pretty difficult to go out, you would need a good reason to go, it's a good thing it keeps you focused
How much did your experience depend on which specific staff/rabbis/madrichim you got?
I was with Rav Yaron Levy, the head of the overseas students. I got really lucky, and he changed my perspective completely, but I think most people had that experience with their own Rabbis.
How niche are the people that go to this program?
It's mostly Religious Zionists, and a lot of people that want to feel more emotional attachment and desire for Judaism and halacha.
How much were you treated as an adult vs. managed like a student?
Their motto is to give the students free choice because that's the best way for you to grow spirituality and also in independence
How much are you still learning now, after the program?
It's hard in the army but I learn something small everyday and if the situation allows I have chavrutot.
How was the food, realistically, day to day?
It's known to be a program with very good food.
How much privacy/personal space did you have?
It's not in a city, so there is a lot of open space available.
How available are resources for learning hebrew, (ie ulpan)?
Most of the Hebrew learning comes naturally from living with Israelis; a lot of them don't know English, which is good for exposure.
How much are you still connected to learning now, after the program?
It's hard, learning-wise, being in the Army; it's definitely not the same environment and people compared to the program, but the program instilled in me the emotional connection and desire to come back to learn after my army service
How well did the program prepare you for the army?
Most people coming from outside of Israel have the mindset that physical training is what prepares you, but there is so much more than that. It's about building a type of personality and habits that make someone a good addition to a team, and the program helped me understand that and start to build it.
General reviews
Shai Bernstein
During my time in Otzem I grew in many ways due to the unique situation I was put in as an overseas student. I significantly increased my level of Hebrew, having been surrounded by Israelis and having shiur in Hebrew. I improved physically and athletically, with ample time and opportunity to train. And my perspective on religion, Torah, and Israel were all widened with thought provoking classes and opportunities to see the world from a different angle.
Yehoshua Orkin
Best long term decision one who wants to integrate into Israel as someone from overseas can do. This program offers a one of a kind approach with the ability to ease oneself into the culture, language, land, people, army, Torah etc and with a quick opt to sit with others going through the same process from countries alike
Anonymous
My son went to Mechina Otzem and met the most incredible friends and teachers he has ever had. The program inspires these boys with both torah learning and purpose.
Alumni References
Some past participants have offered to answer questions about their experience.
- Yehoshua Orkin · attended 2022-2023
Anything and everything
- Tamir Liebb · attended 2023
Feel free to contact with questions regarding the program and integration into Israeli society as well as drafting
- Anonymous · attended 2019 - 2021
Preparing for the military — and even more so, for life. Outstanding integration into Israel through Torah study, Hebrew, army exposure, physical training, and more all while surrounded by highly motivated individuals striving to improve themselves.
- Jack Resnick · attended 2023-2024
Anything from Learning, Training, intergration, drafting
Last updated: