Havanah (Understanding)

Havanah is a long-established gap year program for Hanoar Hatzioni madrichim. Having gone on Israel Tour and completed your one-year leadership training, Havanah is the next step in the Hanoar Hatzioni life cycle. In this year you will learn about leadership and hadracha as well as Zionism, Judaism, Israeli history, modern culture and community. On top of this, the year is about you, your own personal development and maturity and self-discovery. Additionally it is about your shicva, the people you are sharing your experience with.

This year will see you face new challenges; however you will not face them alone. Everyone on Havanah is a part of a group, a group which will learn how to live, eat, work and play together and learn a sense of shared responsibility and community. Havanah means understanding; this year aims to give you a better understanding of Israel, the Jewish community in England, Hanoar Hatzioni and yourselves. It is a year of growth and development which will stand participants in good stead for skills needed in later life, particularly university.

BEFORE THE YEAR

•To be an active member of the movement. This involves attending camps, the Moetza and preparation meetings.

•To be active in local Kenim and Makara

DURING THE YEAR

•To be a respectable ambassador of Hanoar Hatzioni whilst in Israel

•To be dedicated to your personal and your group’s development

•To respect and keep within the security guidelines

AFTER THE YEAR

•To become a productive and active madrich/a for two years

•To be inspiring and educating Chanichim on camps and in Kenim

•To be an active member of the Jewish community

1) MACHON

The Machon programme is a well established programme which has been running since 1946. Since then, over 10,000 young people have graduated from the programme. The Machon is an intensive social and learning environment which is designed for youth who have the capability and motivation to contribute to the improvement of their organizations, movements and communities. The Machon seeks to encourage participants to deal with a range of subject matters and challenges facing the Jewish people. The Jewish experience is studied in a variety of different seminars in an open, tolerant environment in a combination of both formal and more creative educational contexts. Studies include Jewish Identity, Hebrew language, contemporary Jewry and Zionism, Israel and the Middle East and the Holocaust.

All participants will have the chance to run activities and tiyulim (trips) for their peers as well as partake in a personal project during their time on the Machon. The Machon takes place in Jerusalem on the educational campus of Kiriat Moriah, giving participants a chance to really get to know the diverse and dynamic capital of Israel.

2) OPTIONS PERIOD

During this time participants will have the chance to choose one from a variety of options.

MARVA

The Marva programme is an intense 2 month army experience. You will need stamina, will power, motivation and inner strength to complete this emotional and physical challenge. Components of the program include weapons training, camouflage, survival training, living in field conditions and much much more. The program ends with a graduation ceremony that family and friends are invited to attend.

MAGEN DAVID ADOM (MDA)

The Magen David Adom program gives participants a unique opportunity to work in the Israeli ambulance service alongside Israeli volunteers and professionals. This is a rewarding project which gives invaluable ‘hands on’ experience and is ideal for people who enjoy working with, and helping others. Many of our volunteers in the past have loved their experience so much that they return to Israel to volunteer

KIBBUTZ

Those who chose to work and live on the kibbutz will gain an insight into an amazing alternative community which is unique to Israel There are many different forms of work to choose from on the kibbutz, from working the land like a pioneer, to working at the kindergarten with the young children of the kibbutz to working in the laundry room or dining room. All this is done alongside kibbutz members and volunteers from all over the world.

YESHIVA/SEMINARY

These institutions are institutions for Torah study and the study of the Talmud. There are many different types of Yeshivot from orthodox to secular to conservative to liberal. Which ever one appeals to you, we will do our best to find you a placement there for this period.

3) COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING

This part of the year is your opportunity to gain a fulfilling experience by living and working within a unique and special Israeli community. This is the rural community of Ma’ale Yosef, a region in the north of Israel with which Hanoar Hatzioni has had connections for over 10 years. Here you will be volunteering in a number of ways; from teaching English in schools, to helping out in after school clubs to working with people with disabilities. Through working closely with the people of Israel you will gain skills and connections unparalled elsewhere. In this period you will be allocated a host family within the community who will look after your in your time there; whether it be by cooking you Shabbat dinner or taking you to the local bars, you will be sure they will make you feel at home. By living and working in such close knit communities it is only a matter of days before you will feel connected to this amazing way of life. Volunteers have found this region so warm and welcoming that many still make an effort to visit whenever they return to Israel. During your volunteer period you will also take part in Hebrew lessons, tour the country and meet people from other gap year programmes.

During the year there will be Hanoar Hatzioni staff dedicated to the members of the group of Havanah. They will have weekly movement time; this includes a variety of aspects such as teambuilding, group bonding, and excursions, as well as the enrichment of Israel and movement knowledge. There will also be personal time and evaluation included. Movement time is a component which makes the participant’s year a Hanoar Hatzioni one.

Hanoar Hatzioni believes in the value of personal exploration. One cannot have a real experience of a country without indulging in its cafes, restaurants, bars, beaches, mountains, festivals and museums. Each participant will have free time in order to discover Israel for themselves.

Hanoar Hatzioni is a pluralist movement which caters for almost all levels of religious observance. For this reason the program does not break Shabbat or kashrut laws; however we place no restrictions on participants’ observance in their own free time.

The safety and security of the participants of all our programmes is of primary importance. This will take priority over all other issues

The security of the participants during the year is in accordance with the regulations of Security Department of the Jewish Agency as well as the Cheder Matzav. Each day we will be receiving updates of these regulations and adapting the restrictions imposed on our participants accordingly

Financial assistance is available for those who are unable to cover the whole cost of the program. Funds are available by the UJIA and MASA who believe that no child, whatever their financial circumstances, should miss the opportunity to take part in an Israel experience program. If you are unable to afford the whole cost of the program, please tick the appropriate box on the initial application form. We guarantee complete confidentiality throughout this process.

Medical services and insurance for illness and injury in Israel are included in the programme cost. Treatment related to pre-existing conditions is not included.