בינה בפייסבוק בינה באינסטגרם צרו קשר עם בינה במייל

My Gap Year with BINA – A Life Changing Program

Nehama Dormont – a participant on BINA Gap Year in Tel Aviv, is summarizing her first five months on the program:

**

“There are not enough words to describe the life changing experiences and personal growth I have had in my first five months on the BINA Gap Year. From the moment I stepped off the plane in August, I have been swept up in a whirlwind of new and amazing people, places and experiences. I made a home living in Shapira, Tel Aviv with people who were not yet friends, not yet family, but have become my community.

I got to learn Hebrew, which was a new language to me, become acquainted with a new culture and a new way of learning. At first, it was definitely hard being so far away from home, but I got to know so many new friends, who welcomed me with open arms.

I got to experience the Jewish holidays in a new way, which has shaped and strengthened my Jewish identity. I walked in the streets with my friends on Yom Kippur and saw how quiet the city could become. I helped plan a seminar for my group and got to spend my Sukkot with them. I started volunteering with kids in an after school daycare and fell in love with it. I got to have Thanksgiving with my group and got to show some of the Israeli staff traditions from home. I went to the south and had an amazing week planned by my fellow Mechinistim (Israeli peers from the Mechina or Year of Service – post high school, pre-army programs).

I saw so many people put their all into seminars and projects. I got to see their hard work in action. Even kitchen duty gave me wonderful memories, and really bad garlic breath of course.

I have experienced so much in the past five months, that there aren’t enough words to express how grateful I am for all of it. It wasn’t always easy and I wasn’t always happy, but I have gained so many wonderful memories, relationships and connections. I wouldn’t change any of it.” 

**

Would you also like to have a one-of-a-kind experience?

BINA Gap Year in Israel is a life-changing 10-month experience that combines communal living with Israelis, experiential learning, hands-on volunteering, travel, and leadership training – with tracks in Tel Aviv and Haifa! For more information click here 

More articles

The Magic of Purim | BINA

Ayala Deckel, the Head of BINA Secular Yeshiva, discusses the Book of Esther, the lessons we can learn from Esther and Vashti, and the concept of putting on a costume to change our persona. Why is Vashti looked down upon while Esther is praised? What lessons can we learn from Esther’s courage? How do Purim costumes connect with our everyday lives and self-discovery? […]

קרא עוד…

Read more >>

Hanukkah Interview with
MITF Fellows | BINA

Our MITF Fellows have celebrated Hanukkah with loved ones, traveled, and embraced the festive atmosphere in Israel. BINA had the opportunity to interview Fellows Alexa and Noam to discuss their experiences celebrating Hanukkah in Israel, their favorite parts about the holiday, and more. Read on to find out their thoughts and how they’ve been celebrating! […]

קרא עוד…

Read more >>

Want to stay up-to-date? Sign up now for the BINA newsletter >>