The Harel Association - Programs For The Promotion Of Education In Israel

Mechinat Harel was founded to help remedy an acute need. Established in 2014 it is Israel’s only pre-army preparatory program specifically designed to meet the needs of lone immigrants and children of immigrant families from the former Soviet Union While youth and teen immigrants from the former Soviet Union continue taking the brave step of making Aliyah, sadly, most face significant difficulty in overcoming a variety of challenges; holding them back from meeting their personal potential or full integration into Israeli Society. At the same time, countless studies have demonstrated the positive benefits of students attending Mechina - pre-army preparatory academy; both relating to their IDF service (higher enlistment and lower discharge rates, higher levels of combat and significant supporting roles,and greater numbers of officers) and as post-IDF citizens (greater levels of identification with Israeli and Jewish identity, higher levels of volunteering, and greater desire to positively benefit Israeli society). Yet, year after year, attendance of youth and teen immigrants from the former Soviet Union among thear various Mechinot proved near non-existent. Moreover, if Mechinot so greatly benefit those already possessing relatively strong senses of identity and belonging - clearly, potential for even greater success would ensue for young men and women unsure of their identity and place in society - namely, youth and teen immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Mechinat Harel was founded to help remedy this acute need. Established in 2014, Mechinat Harel is unique among all of the different pre-army academies – as it is Israel’s only pre-army preparatory program specifically designed to meet the needs of lone immigrants and children of immigrant families from the former Soviet Union. We do not merely "accept" these students and expect them to leave their identity behind, or worse, feel as misunderstood outsiders. Just the opposite. Mechinat Harel specifically seeks out these brave, wonderful young men and women. They're our one-and-only goal. Strengthening them, befriending them, enabling them, celebrating them, preparing them, teaching them, caring for them.  We understood that to suceeed we would need to genuinely provide something unique. So, Mechinat Harel cultivated a program that figuratively "speaks their language": With a peer group that speaks their language (literally), with classroom instruction and field trips bringing to life Israeli culture, Zionism and Jewish history, through celebrating the  singular influence of Russian-Jewish heritage on contemporary Israel and Judaism, by highlighting why and how they are valuable and important members of Israeli society, through appreciating them for who they are, and by helping them discover and become who they want to be - both in the short term (IDF preparation and guidance) and in the long run (strengthened Israeli and Jewish identity). Thanks to this welcoming and understanding framework and a truly caring and dedicated staff – so many of these special young men and women feel comfortable to join our six-month residential program (based in Jerusalem). Since its inception, over four hundred and fifty young Russian-Israeli alumni of Mechinat Harel are now serving, or have completed their IDF service. A significant proportion are serving as officers in prestigious units, and recent graduates are taking their first step forward to independent adult life in Israel. At the same time, we respectfully and continuosly remember two recent Mechinat Harel alumni – Simon Shlomov and Boris Donevtsky – both lone soldiers who recently fell in battle. Both embodied the Zionist spirit in their incredible lives and in their sacrifice, and they continue to inspire us all.