Israel Gap Year experiences?

Silver Member Joined: Nov 23 2007 Posts: 703

My DS rather suddenly informed me he wants to go to Israel for a year. Well, BH, but previous to this he didn't want anything to do with it.

He seems rather earnest. Anyone know of any programs which are not focused on yeshiva/Torah? Time is pretty limited. IYH, he is graduating high school in June and would have to hussle to find a program and get accepted before he makes final decisions about college.

TIA.

Posted: Mon, Apr 04 2011, 2:04 pm Post subject:

There is a program called Shalem. Not sure how frum it is, but I know a few people who went on it. I think it's mostly touring and kibbutz-type work.
_________________
You only have 1Life2Live, so make it count!

Silver Member Joined: Nov 23 2007 Posts: 703

Thanks. I googled it. Looks like it is religious (ie- gemara, etc). Will keep looking.

Posted: Mon, Apr 04 2011, 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Israel Gap Year experiences?

Executive Member Joined: Aug 19 2006 Posts: 451

Young Judea's YearCourse?

Diamond Member Joined: Nov 30 2006 Posts: 2613

Silver Member Joined: Nov 23 2007 Posts: 703

I "heard" Bar Ilan has problem students...ie drugs, etc. Could be misguided though.

Posted: Tue, Apr 05 2011, 8:37 am Post subject:

Posted: Tue, Apr 05 2011, 8:56 am Post subject: re: Israel Gap Year experiences?

Every school everywhere has a few bad apples, but you have to check it thoroughly especially when it's a dorm!
_________________

"You will have many many children and make successful shidduchim beh", rebbetzin Esther Jungreis
"It's all cultural, disagree respectfully", me

Active Poster Joined: Jul 24 2009 Posts: 73

http://www.bneiakiva.net/hachshara/programs.htm

Posted: Tue, Apr 05 2011, 9:04 am Post subject:

I think you need to be a little more specific as to how dati he is and what kind of program your looking for. There is so much out there!
_________________
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato

Gold Member Joined: Mar 16 2009 Posts: 2328

YJ's tochnit shalem is great. It's a well established program that's super well organized and has kibbutz, volunteering, study. Young Judaea year course is really huge, and shalem has their own sub-program. But you need to find out more and see if it fits your kid. It's a mix, with some kids from MO/conservadox/becoming more observant (which I think is a good thing.)

From my experience with the bar ilan year program (and I do have personal experience with it) , what you heard is generally correct. Obviously every program has a few students, but it's important to know that general culture of the school and what most kids are like. Bar Ilan's OYP had a larger percentage of kids who come from frum backgrounds but are in the process of becoming less frum, or who were doing things they shouldn't, compared to other programs I'm familiar with. Again, it can happen anywhere, and there are definitely good kids who went to bar ilan, but yup.

Platinum Member Joined: May 22 2005 Posts: 13796

Posted: Tue, Apr 05 2011, 10:25 am Post subject:

What about Otzma?

Silver Member Joined: Nov 23 2007 Posts: 703

Otzma looks more his speed.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Executive Member Joined: Sep 11 2008 Posts: 334

Executive Member Joined: Apr 09 2008 Posts: 295

if you go to the MASA website you can search programs (masaisrael.org). Some things I found for garp year (post high school):

http://www.masaisrael.org/Masa/English/Aardvark+Israel+Gap+Year.htm

http://www.masaisrael.org/Masa/English/Programs/Yeladim+Netivot+Israel+by+Choice.htm

http://www.masaisrael.org/Masa/English/Programs/Ben+Gurion+Overseas+Student+Program.htm

http://www.masaisrael.org/Masa/English/Programs/Bnei+Akiva+-+Amichai+Europe.htm

http://www.masaisrael.org/Masa/English/Programs/Tafnit+North+America.htm

There are lots of others for all sorts of experiences and religious wants. I did the program at BGU if you have any questions.
_________________
DD 05/09
DD 06/11

Platinum Member Joined: May 22 2005 Posts: 13796

Barbara - you can't deny that each program has a certain "feel" and influence. I am not speaking of Bar Ilan, but just in general - there are always places that have non-productive environments, social elements that can drag kids down, even while having wonderful kids that might go there. You have to know your kid and know their challenges and what would be a good fit for them. The presence of wonderful kids in a program does not mean that they set the tone for an entire program.

Just as an aside, I hear this argument a lot: You want to guarantee that your kid won't be exposed to kids who use drugs? Lock 'em in their room.

It's true. But would you want to send your kid to a school/college/program where 90% of the kids smoke pot and skipping class is the norm? Or would you prefer where 90% are "clean" and motivated in their studies. Of course I'm stating extremes, but if you follow the logic of "it doesn't matter, there are drugs and bad influences everywhere", you really shouldn't care where you send your kid to school, now should you?

Beginner Joined: Jun 03 2012 Posts: 3

Wow that's A hard decision to make....

[ad deleted by mod. Please speak to Yael about taking out a paid ad.]

Good Luck!