Programs


NA'ALEH This program has been bringing many youth from the former Soviet Union to the Village annually since 1993. Designed to offer the youngsters an opportunity to receive a quality high school education with matriculation, to learn about their Jewish heritage, to be exposed to Israeli life and customs and learn Hebrew, the Na'aleh program is open to the 9th -12th graders coming to Israel without their families. The Village is justly proud that over 95% of its Na'aleh graduates are now Israeli citizens serving in the I.D.F and/or studying in Israel's institutions of higher education. Some Na'aleh students who have completed their army service are even employed as counselors at the Village.


MAGSHIMIM PROGRAM OF AUTISTIC CLASSES Several years ago the Village opened its doors and its heart to host a city-run educational program for low-level functioning autistic youth. Beginning with 8 students in 2 classes, the program has expanded to its full capacity – now accommodating 36 students in 8 classes. The full-day /early-evening program provides a full range of learning experiences and activities and also includes speech, occupational and physical therapy, water therapy and animal therapy. Whenever possible, the students are integrated into the Village activities, ceremonies, festivities and outings.  The Village students and staff work together on a daily basis as volunteers, assisting the dedicated professional staff. Working with autistic youngsters has proven to be a valuable and meaningful experience for the Village students, encouraging a desire to give of oneself while gaining great satisfaction and fulfillment by helping those less fortunate.


FRENCH HIGH SCHOOL For many years the village has maintained a French-speaking high school for the 10th-12th grades for French speakers from France and Morocco, as well as other French speaking countries, who choose to study in Israel, usually without their families. The course of study prepares the students for the French matriculation while at the same time teaches Hebrew language, Zionism and Israel-related studies. Some graduates return to their native land to take their role as adult leaders in the local Jewish community, while most choose to accept Israeli citizenship and remain to continue their studies and serve in the I.D.F. The Village is especially proud that the French program successfully includes both religious and secular students.


MUSIC MATRICULATION While music education has always been an important part of the extra-curricular program, the Village now offers its talented youth the possibility of a full music matriculation program including private lessons on their chosen instrument and studies with a musicologist. The success of the participants ensures their acceptance into a music academy upon graduation. 


HAR'EL MECHINAH PROGRAM The Village now offers a half-year pre-army program tailored specifically to youth from the former Soviet Union who are not considered Jewish by halacha (Jewish law).    This mechinah,   which is a preparatory program for conversion for participants upon high school graduation, is not only for Village graduates, but is open to pre-army youth from all over Israel.  The mechinah program, in addition to teaching toward conversion,   prepares the participants for army service   both physically and emotionally.  Upon completion of the course,   the conversion process takes place during the waiting period prior to induction into the army. 

CONVERSION COURSE Today, the majority of the Village’s 350 residential students hail from the former Soviet Union (F.S.U.)  Although they (and their families) can enter Israel by having one Jewish grandparent, they are only recognized as Jews by halachah (Jewish law) if their mother is Jewish.  Although all our students consider themselves Jews and are eager to learn and absorb the Jewish practices and traditions, not being officially Jewish is a problem – especially when they are ready for marriage. As, unfortunately, the conversion process for adults in Israel can be very problematic for many reasons, the Village has established its own conversion course, recognized by the chief rabbinate, to ease the process and insure that, upon graduation, the students’ Jewish identity is guaranteed.

 “ADOPTION” PROGRAM FOR AFRICAN REFUGEES  In a truly courageous move and as a humanitarian gesture, the Village opened its gates in the spring of 2009 to 19 youngsters who had been held in a detention center in Israel for several months.  They had fled from their homes (Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan) to escape both the horrors of war and induction into the army. They live in the dormitories together with the Village students, but have separate classes where they first learn Hebrew and then basic studies.  They are given the opportunity to work at the Village in order to earn spending money and, in some cases, help their families.