Warm Weather | GAP Shnat Sherut
Sophie Reiss, a participant on the BINA GAP Shnat Sherut year, writes about the special Sunday activity. […]
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BiNA GAP YEAR
BINA Gap Year is a life-changing 11-month experience: be truly immersed in Israeli society, engage in impactful, hands-on social action in south Tel Aviv, and explore Jewish and Israeli culture from a secular perspective.
BINA Gap Year offers two tracks: Service Year (Shnat Sherut) and BINA LEAP Year (Mechina). Our Service Year offers the opportunity to be a part of a joint group of Israelis and English speakers who spend their year with a unique focus on community work and volunteering in South Tel Aviv. While Our LEAP Mechina is more learning-focused and offers the chance to travel to the San Francisco Bay Area to explore Jewish peoplehood, learning, and social action in the diaspora alongside your Israeli peers.
For more details on the program and application process >>
Service Year (Shnat Sherut)
Shnat Sherut refers to a year of service for Israelis between high school and army service. BINA's Shnat Sherut consists of several groups, one of them being a joint group of Israelis and English speakers who spend their year with a unique focus on community work and volunteering in South Tel Aviv.
BINA LEAP Year (Mechina)
Join the international group at BINA’s Israeli Mechina and enjoy the best that Tel Aviv has to offer while you study, volunteer, and explore. Travel with your Israeli peers to the Bay Area of California to explore Jewish peoplehood, social activism, and study with BINA educators at the Oshman Family JCC.
Meet Our Participants
"I’ve spent my days learning at BINA’s south Tel Aviv-based Secular Yeshiva, applying ancient Jewish texts to our understanding of contemporary Israel. The gap year program attracts international students and Israelis alike, all interested in creating a rich relationship with Judaism outside of its traditional religious expressions. We then apply our studies in the classroom to our neighborhood of South Tel Aviv, working and learning alongside African refugees and immigrants."
"Despite the Coronavirus pandemic and perhaps even thanks to it, I am here, in Israel. I feel so lucky to have made it to Israel and to be part of BINA’s Shnat Sherut (Service Year) in South Tel Aviv and continue making an impact in the local community while also immersing myself in Israeli culture."
"Soon after my flight landed in Israel, the BINA staff met me at the airport and transported me to Tel Aviv. When I arrived at my apartment, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was fully stocked with groceries and cleaning supplies. Despite my initial impressions of what it would be like in quarantine, it exceeded my expectations and made me even more eager for my gap year to start!"
“BINA Gap Year taught me how to live on my own, how to be responsible for myself and for others, to balance a budget, to balance my time, to be independent. It introduced me to different places in Israel, to different political and social opinions, to different kinds of people, to what it means to live in a group, and so much more. I would definitely recommend it.”
"There truly is no other Gap program like BINA. The combination of social justice and action, learning at the Secular Yeshiva, living and learning with Israelis, volunteering, and so much more is so incredibly special and I feel so lucky to have been on this program."
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WHAT IS BINA?
BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change is an Israeli movement at the forefront of social activism and Jewish pluralism in Israel. Every year, BINA reaches over 50,000 Israelis and individuals from around the world through social, educational and community programs.
As a BINA Gap Year participant, you'll be a part of a diverse community of Israelis and internationals working toward social change through study and action.
Participants Blogs
Dilemmas and National Holidays: What Does It Mean To Love Israel? | GAP Mechina
Ronnie Shashoua, a participant on the BINA GAP Mechina year, about What Does It Mean To Love Israel. […]
The Making of Lifelong Friends | GAP Shnat Sherut
Sophie Reiss, a participant on the BINA GAP Shnat Sherut year, writes about the strong connetions that you built with other participants. […]
Our Partners:
About Masa:
Masa is the global leader in immersive international career development and leadership
experiences in Israel for young Jewish adults from around the world.
With a variety of long-term programs in Israel, Masa is able to provide meaningful, enriching
experiences to young Jews from many different countries, backgrounds, levels of education,
and fields. Since its founding in 2004, Masa has helped over 150,000 young adults from 60+ countries to
strengthen their connection with Israel, empowering a new generation of connected,
committed, and inspired young Jewish adults. These young adults are changing the face of
the Jewish world and Israel, as professionals, community
leaders, and advocates.
About Oshman Family JCC:
The Oshman Family JCC (OFJCC) on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life offers programs for all ages and interests. Our facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, a beautiful cultural arts hall, fully equipped classrooms and more.
Israel (+972) 53-603-3665 (call or text) | USA (+1) 646-883-5105 (call or text) | gapyear@bina.org.il