FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We understand that choosing your Israel Year Program is a big decision, and we’re sure you have questions. This section covers the most Frequently Answered Questions, but you are always welcome to reach out to us!
You’ll see below there are General Questions, and also program specific FAQ’s for each individual program.
We understand that your Gap year is a once-in-lifetime opportunity, and a really tough choice! If you are looking for more than just a GAP between high school and University, and want to Grow Jewishly, Acquire important and relevant tools & skills for life, and to develop Personally, then World Bnei Akiva’s Hachshara offers the ideal choice of programs for you!
All our Hachshara programs offer leadership, Jewish learning, Zionism, personal grow, fun & adventure, friends from around the world, Hebrew, volunteering, Zionism, independence, Israel Discovery and more!
As one of the largest and most popular providers of Israel Gap Year programs, and the primary organization catering to Religious Zionist youth, you can trust World Bnei Akiva’s Hachshara programs to deliver what you are looking for and more!
Yes, there are various times when the different World Bnei Akiva-Hachshara groups are together – allowing you to see your friends and meet new people from all over the world! You’ll also have ample free time and Shabbatot to make your own plans and arrange to see family and friends on other programs or at other Yeshivot and Midrashot.
We understand that applicants and their families may have concerns about participant safety over the course of the program, and about the dynamic security situation in Israel. Your safety & security is our number one priority. As an approved MASA program, all World Bnei Akiva - Hachshara Israel programs follow the safety and security guidelines outlined by MASA for all their programs. Please visit the MASA safety page for more information and interactive video with MASA’s Chief Security Officer, Amir Keinan.
The value of gap year activities is widely acknowledged and most universities will allow you to apply for deferred entry. It is a good idea to include details of your proposed gap year in your personal statement to support your application.
If you require a special diet or have allergies that may necessitate extra attention, please make sure to state this in your Hachshara application in your medical form. During the interview process such matters are also discussed to help us understand how we can accommodate you. Although it may not always be possible, we will make every effort to cater to your needs.
World Bnei Akiva take our participants’ physical & emotional wellbeing very seriously.Noting the rise in emotional challenges amongst youth, we have commissioned the services and support of “Keshev”- a professional organization in the mental health and wellness field. Keshev provides us a with a wide variety of services including group sessions and one-on-one meetings with participants on topics of mental health such as anxiety, depression, sexuality, eating disorders and more. They provide emergency on-call support to staff, and designated on site hours for any participant who needs extra support mentally or emotionally. Through their team, our participants and staff are offered guidance and support needed, to help them to have an emotionally healthy and safe year. To learn more visit www.keshevcenter.com
World Bnei Akiva have highly qualified and experienced administrative and educational Program Directors in Israel who manage each program, it’s coordinator, madrichim and participants. Qualified resident leaders (madrichim) accompany you, guiding and advising you throughout your year in Israel. The program co-ordinator (rakaz) is responsible for the logistical and educational implementation of the program. Your Rakaz will visit you regularly and will maintain close contact with the madrichim, your local Bnei Akiva, and your parents.
A few weeks before the start of your Hachshara program, we’ll send you an email with all the important information including a suggested packing list, containing all the essentials for an amazing year in Israel! You should bring both a sleeping bag and beddings. Although beddings will be provided for some parts of the year, there will be occasions when you’ll need your own. In the packing list we suggest a company in Israel that sell/hire out essentials to gap year participants and deliver it to your program, to save you from schlepping everything in your luggage.
The Hachshara programs operate in a religious Zionist framework. Participants on all World Bnei Akiva programs are expected to observe halacha including Shabbat observance in public and private spaces, three tfillot a day for both male and female participants, and “tzniut” regarding dress code and modest behaviour. The appropriate dress code will be sent out together with the packing list for each program, as the requirements differ for each program. For example, pants/shorts for girls are fine on the “experiential” programs such as Kivun, Mechina, Limmud, Oz, Amijai.
Medical services and insurance for illness and injury while in Israel is included in the cost of the program. Doctors affiliated with the plan are located throughout Israel and you can easily arrange to see one, no matter where you are based at the time. Not covered by the medical insurance are costs related to optical care and treatment of prior dental problems, medical care relating to pre-existing conditions. The full insurance policy details and it’s exclusions can be viewed here. You are also advised to take out ‘personal effects insurance’ to cover your valuable belongings.
In order to enter Israel, your passport must be valid for six months after the date of entry and throughout your stay. Additionally, anyone staying in Israel for extended period of time is required to have a special visa, as a tourist visa is only valid for 3 months.
Every Masa Israel participant can (and is strongly advised to) approach his/her local Consulate General of Israel or Embassy of Israel prior to beginning their program to request a Masa Israel visa. Participants who will not be 18 within three months of entering the country, MUST organize this visa before the start of the program. The Masa Israel visa is an A2 visa – a multiple-entry student visa (making it possible to leave Israel for a vacation and return without requiring a new visa).
To obtain a Masa Israel visa, you must visit a consulate or embassy with at least the following (we highly advise you to check with your embassy if they require anything else additionally):
The letter from MASA Israel confirming your acceptance to a MASA program.
The letter from World Bnei Akiva confirming your acceptance to your program.
A valid passport.
Additionally, if the participant or parents have Israeli citizenship, you should contact your local embassy to confirm your status and obtain an army exemption before entering Israel.
The consulate or embassy has final jurisdiction with granting a visa.
Should you encounter a problem when requesting the visa, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs can provide an internal letter to clarify the procedures. If there is still a problem, please contact us at gap@worldbneiakiva.org .
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