Mechina

A mechina or Mechinah (Hebrew: מכינה; "Preparation"; plural מכינות Mechinot ) is an Israeli mostly one-year training program in which middle school students / interior can be prepared voluntarily after completion of their schooling to the university or to the Israeli military service or civilian service.

• 3.1 Academic Preparation
• 3.2 Military service preparation

Preparing for University

The Mechinot that prepare for Israeli universities, fall into several categories:

• Israeli universities offer Mechinot for graduates of Israeli high schools.
• Mechinot Olim (singular Mechinat Olim, Hebrew מכינת עולים; olim = immigrants ) are special Mechinot for immigrants to Israel who wish to study at an Israeli university. In the fully held in Hebrew programs is Hebrew ( from the beginner level if necessary), Jewish history, and - depending on the selected focus - taught subjects from the humanities, social or natural sciences. The Technion taken into account when enrolling only students from his own Mechinat Olim.
• Private ( commercial ) companies offer remedial courses that support school graduates at the university application. Participants can prepare for the Mechinot for admission tests or their results complete or improve (points) in particular, relied on in the application process in Israel tests.

Preparation for military service

Military service - preparation programs (English Pre -Army- Mechinot ) have gradually developed since the late eighties of the 20th century. Many of them were built in Jewish settlements in the occupied by Israel since 1967 or annexed areas. They can be distinguished according to whether they are religious, secular or mixed secular and religiously oriented.

Religious Mechinot

The oldest Mechinot to prepare for military service are religious Mechinot. They are addressed to students in a yeshiva (religious school) and prepare them for their time in the non-religious forces. Are taught Jewish thought, belief and action. There are also physical training for the military service and training of leadership skills through active officers of the Israeli armed forces.

The first religious mechina, Bnei David was founded in 1988 in the Jewish West Bank settlement of Eli (s). Other religious Mechinot include: Ateret Kohanim in East Jerusalem, the Leadership Yeshiva Academy in Avnei Eitan (s) and Katzrin on the Golan Heights, Carmey Hayil at Kibbutz Beit Rimon (s) in Galilee, Kiryat Malachi and in southern Israel.

Secular Mechinot

With Nahshon in Nili, a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, in 1997 the first of the secular pre -Army- Mechinot was founded. Are taught in the secular Mechinot leadership qualities, principles and practice of democracy, Zionism, Jewish history, philosophy, and more. In addition voluntary service rendered by Mechinot students. In contrast to the religious Mechinot the exercise of the Jewish faith is not part of the official program; but the events also cover ethics and traditions of Judaism. Among the non-religious Mechinot next Nahshon include Meitzar on the Golan Heights, Ma'ayan Baruch and Mechinat Rabin Oranim in northern Israel or Hanegev in the south.

Religious and secular Mechinot

Given the widening gap between religious and nicht-religiösen/säkularen trends in Israeli society Mechinot were established, both aimed at religious and non-religious prospective. They offer a wide spectrum, ranging from Zionism and Judaism to political science and philosophy and training for leadership roles. There are also a commitment to the local communities and in society as well as volunteer work. Corresponding Mechinot example, Beit Yisrael Beit Yisrael Kibbutz in Gilo, East Jerusalem, the youth program of the Israeli Academy for Leadership in Kfar Adumim A Prat in the West Bank or the Reform Judaism belonging IMPJ - mechina in Jaffa.

Documentary: mechina: A Preparation

The question of how to change young Israelis during their mechina time before their mandatory military service, is published in 2005 the U.S. documentary mechina: A Preparation ( German mechina: A preparation) of Maital Guttman and Madeleine Sackler after. The film was recorded in the U.S. in the official selection of several Jewish film festivals.