Maya Maymoni, during a break in her Israeli army service. Photo: Meytal Maymoni

Preparing to Lead: Israeli Mechinot Programs

It was 18-year-old Maya Maymoni’s day off from service in the Israeli air force. And she did what she had learned in Nachshon, her yearlong pre-army leadership program between high school and induction into the Israeli army: Maya volunteered her time.

In celebration of Tu B’Shevat, in January, Maya and her friend convinced a local grower to donate 200 trees that they could plant with 30 adults at a residence in Jerusalem for people living with mental illnesses. They were volunteering with Hevra Tovah, supported by UJA-Federation of New York, which allows for participation in a variety of social-action activities.

“At Nachshon, I learned to pay attention to other people who need help, to do things not just for myself but for other people as well,” she says. “That was the most important thing I learned.”

In Israel, there are more than 30 pre-army preparatory programs — known in Hebrew as mechina, the word for preparation — that are bridging social gaps in Israeli society and training new leaders for the country. Each “gap year” program includes a focus on Judaism and volunteer service with an emphasis on social responsibility. UJA-Federation of New York’s Commission on the Jewish People is helping this growing phenomenon with support of:

  • 10 pre-army programs, both secular and Orthodox
  • Two post-army programs that allow mechina alumni to continue to engage in community service projects throughout the country
  • The Joint Council of Zionist Pre-Army Leadership Development Programs, designed to support the network of mechinot, offer direction, and advocate for funding of the programs

“Mechinot programs are driving positive social change within Israeli society, bringing together diverse segments of the population and fostering new future Israeli and Jewish leadership,” notes Sarah Biser, chair of the Jewish Peoplehood in Israel Task Force. ♦

In March, the umbrella organization of mechinot programs received the Yigal Allon Prize for Zionist Pioneering. Dor Hapalmach awards the prize annually to recognize social activism in Israel.

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