What’s in the Program?
The “Mekhina – Preparing for the Future” program is designed to guide 12th-grade students toward adulthood and successful integration into society.
The program offers life skills, practical knowledge, and hands-on experience, providing students with opportunities for personal and community development. It is a collaboration between the Atid Network and the Jewish Agency’s Israel Activities Division.
This is a process-oriented, school-based program that combines leadership mentoring through training and joint facilitation by school staff and the Mekhina team, both via workshops held at school and external flagship activities.
Its goal is to instill principles and tools of responsibility, capability, and independence in students. The program supports their development of leadership skills and social awareness, helping them take ownership of their lives and future while exploring their personal identity as independent adults.
Program Goals
The Mekhina focuses on developing a sense of capability and personal, group, and community responsibility as preparation for adult life.
It fosters recognition of each student’s unique traits, which they will express as they shape their future as active members of Israeli society. The program promotes a shared Israeli identity grounded in clear values and strengthens a deep connection among peers, creating a positive, empowering youth community.
Training Structure
- Participants attend a leadership seminar that provides a meaningful and experiential introduction to the program’s core content and tools, forming the foundation for ongoing school-based work.
- Following the seminar, participants join a network-wide Mekhina experience where they engage in practical challenges focused on social and ethical development, laying the groundwork for their adult lives.
Mekhina Curriculum
- Who am I?
Strengthening personal identity by identifying strengths, values, and passions. Deep self-reflection (“zoom in”) to build a stable self-identity.
- Individual & Community – “Empowering Belonging”
Exploring how the individual and community influence each other, emphasizing belonging and communal values, along with volunteering experiences to strengthen social involvement.
- Looking Ahead – Goal Setting and Meaning
Developing future goals with a clear sense of purpose, fostering personal leadership, and practical preparation for adult life.
Selection Process
Personal interviews conducted by the program leader.
What’s Required from the School?
- Appoint a mentor teacher
- Select 15–20 committed students
- Train the students with support from the mentor teacher
- Collect a nominal fee per studen
