Something I didn't understand until I got to Beit Yisrael was the power of people truly living their values in an Israeli context. I came to Beit Yisrael to experience the religious, socioeconomic, and political diversity of Israeli life. What I found was a group of dedicated, humble activists using their pure love of the Jewish people to change the world around them. Coming to Mechina here has taught me the importance of using my privilege to benefit others. At Beit Yisrael we have opportunities to combine both traditional Torah learning with active work in our community. We live amongst the students we mentor and the elderly we visit in the afternoons. We are given tremendous authority over our learning and our living. Because of our freedom to construct our own schedules, we are able to find what is most meaningful to us individually and focus our energy there. Learning in Beit Yisrael is a catalyst for building community and self exploration. We take on leadership roles that prepare us to positively contribute to civil society later in our lives. And we use the skills we gain to give back to Israel and the greater Jewish world. Beit Yisrael is a magnificent place. It has been an honor to start my Israeli journey here.
Sharing the experience
Our aluni share their stories

Mechinat TELEM-JAFFA
Geffen Huberman, New York, NY
For the last ten months, I have chosen a new path every morning. One morning I could go for a run in Jaffa’s old city, letting my mind wander as my legs stepped on empires and conquests. Another morning I could

Mechinat TELEM-JAFFA
Matan Braner-Kadish, Washington, D.C
I'm not sure I've made a better decision than the day I decided I would be coming to the Mechina in Jaffa. Looking back on it, I am so happy that I pushed past my hesitations of language, distance, and culture and

Mechinat BEIT YISRAEL
Ella Tav, New York, NY
Something I didn't understand until I got to Beit Yisrael was the power of people truly living their values in an Israeli context. I came to Beit Yisrael to experience the religious, socioeconomic, and political diversity of Israeli life.
Mechinat NACHSHON
Gil Adini, Boston, MA
As Walt Disney wisely put it, "If you can dream it, you can do it." I used to think that these words were nothing but a fantasy, but in the last 10 months, my time at the mechina has taught to see the truth in these nine words.
Mechinat NACHSHON
Oshri Olsberg, Boston, MA
One of my favorite things about my year at Mechinat Nachshon is when we are "closed" (stay at the Kibbutz) for Shabbat. Shabbat here has an American flavor meaning that I have been able to incorporate some of my own
Mechinat NACHSHON
Lexi Unell, Kansas City, MO
My name is Lexi Unell, and My most meaningful experience in mechinat nachshon so far has been survival week. Survival week was a week were we were sent off in small groups with just a map, a compass, and little to no food.

Mechinat KESHET YEHUDA
Adam Bernitz, South Africa
I'm currently in Mechinat Keshet Yehudah , all the way up in the Golan Heights. This amazing year is about to come to an end and my military service is about to begin. I am so incredibly indebted to this institution.

Mechinat KESHET YEHUDA
Louis Ungar, Miami, FL
A few nice words This year in Keshet was amazing. I absolutely loved it and hopefully coming back for a little bit of a second year. All the hikes and adventures probably made this the best year of my life. I have learned