Programs
Yavneh Olami's programs for Jewish students take place both in Israel and throughout the Diaspora, providing the students with the means of staying connected to Am Yisra'el, Torat Yisra'el and Eretz Yisra'el through a variety of activities and programming ventures.
Our Israel-Based Programs for Yeshiva & Other “Gap-Year” Students
Every year, approximately 2,500 students from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa take a year off between high school and university in order to study in a yeshiva or midrasha in Israel. Thousands more students attend other long-term, “gap-year” programs in Israel.
Capitalizing upon the time these students spend in Israel, Yavneh Olami has created the following innovative educational programs on pro-Israel advocacy, Israel connectivity, leadership development and Aliyah promotion:
ATID - A hasbara (pro-Israel advocacy) program providing a select group of yeshiva students with the skills needed to be pro-Israel activists in the Diaspora. ATID participants attend biweekly sessions as well as several weekend seminars, learning about the roots of the Israeli-Arab conflict and practical ways to defend Israel on campus.
Ohavei Tzion / Kommemiyut – An ongoing program teaching yeshiva students about Zionist history and imparting a love for the Land of Israel and its people.
Aliyah Programming – A series of workshops promoting Aliyah and providing practical support to students who are interested in moving to Israel in the future.
The “Back to the Campus” Initiative – Yavneh Olami’s “Back to the Campus” initiative was created in the Spring of 2004 in collaboration with Natan Sharansky and the Office for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs. This program reaches out to both religious and secular Diaspora youth studying in Israel, bringing the two populations together for weekend seminars, trips and conferences, which focus on pro-Israel advocacy. Over 1,500 students have attended these seminars over the last year.
Our Israel-Based Programs for Overseas Students
Yavneh Olami also enables students who are studying in universities abroad to come to Israel on the following short-term educational programs:
The Summer Internship Program – The Summer Internship Program – This six-week program enables talented university students to intern in their field of interest in Israel in July and August. In the Summer of 2005, we had over 150 participants hailing from 30 different universities. In addition to arranging internships and housing for these students, Yavneh Olami runs a wide range of educational activities for its program participants. In the past, Yavneh Olami has also run a similar progra for students from Southern Hemisphere countries in the months of January and February.
The “Aliyah Campus Ambassador” program - In partnership with Nefesh B’Nefesh, Yavneh Olami has trained over 30 students to be “Campus Aliyah Ambassadors,” providing these exceptionally talented individuals with the skills, knowledge and technical support necessary to promote Aliyah to students on university campuses across North America.
Student Pilot Trips to Israel – Student Pilot Trips to Israel – This week-long program enables Aliyah-minded students to come to Israel, learn about academic and professional options and establish important contacts with young olim.
Our Overseas Activities
Through our overseas offices and volunteer network, Yavneh Olami maintains constant contact with students even outside of Israel.
Intercampus Weekends – Intercampus Weekends – Every year, Yavneh Olami runs a minimum of 4 intercampus weekends, which focus on Israel and Aliyah. Run primarily by the students themselves, these weekends enable students to generate their own ideas about the future of the Jewish State.
Campus-Based Activities - Campus-Based Activities - Currently, Yavneh Olami organizes campus-based activities on 19 different universities across North America. Each year, Yavneh Olami adds new campuses to its growing network.
A Clearinghouse for Program Ideas - A Clearinghouse for Program Ideas - Yavneh Olami serves as a clearinghouse for Religious Zionist print resources and online material. In addition, we coordinate a speakers bureau of lecturers and educators on Israel-related topics.
For more information on Yavneh's Diaspora-based programming, click on the "Chapters" link on the left.