Kol Ami was founded through a deep understanding that the most effective way to build a sustainable connection between Jewish youth and the State of Israel is by creating personal relationships with the people of Israel. We believe that the best way to create meaningful personal relationships is by spending time together - Israelis and Jewish peers from across the globe. In a survey by 'Masa Israel', we learn that the majority of gap-year participants said that they did NOT create any deep relationships with Israelis during their extended time in Israel. Some even testified that aside from their Israeli educators and staff, they didn't meet any other Israelis. We have made it our mission to create a bridge between Israelis and gap year participants through an integrative Israeli mechina experience.

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OUR GOALS:  

Our main goal is to help our participants grow as individuals and give them practical skills to succeed in our modern world. We believe in learning for the sake of learning, which makes classes lively, positive, and involved. Topics studied include Jewish texts and history, Zionism, leadership, philosophy, and Israel advocacy. Students will become leaders with vision and purpose, possessing the resolve and ability to affect real change both within themselves and society at large. Our participants develop leadership abilities and the desire to lead and serve as a personal example. Our participants get to know Israel both geographically and socially. They challenge their perceptions of the country through exposure to all sectors of the Israeli population. As part of the immersion into Israeli society and to contribute to it and to gain skills and experiences when returning to their home communities, participants dedicate time to volunteer within the communities surrounding the different mechina campuses. 

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PREPARING FOR YOUR NEXT STEPS: 

We teach self-empowerment through coping with physically difficult situations. Participants will develop physical fitness and mental stability, learn about the IDF and its role, learn navigation skills and practices designed especially for those entering the IDF. Participants returning to University will be well prepared with experiences, knowledge and skills for the next steps in becoming students and leaders on campus and in their home communities.