11 MONTHS・CO-ED・ENGLISH
AUSTRALIA・NEW ZEALAND・SOUTH AFRICA
MTA (Midreshet Torah Va’Avodah) is an Israel year programme geared for participants from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
We are proud to have partnered with four incredible institutions for the MTA programme: Machon Maayan, Midreshet Harova, Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi and Yeshivat Har Etzion. You will spend an entire year with them, immersing yourself in the Beit Midrash and soaking up Torat Eretz Yisrael.
*Note:
All World Bnei Akiva programs are continuing to run during this challenging period in Israel.
Applications for 2027 are now open!
Application deadline is June 30th 2026.
At a glance
Duration: 10 months
2026 dates: 3rd February - 27th December
Feb: Opening seminar
Mar: Yeshiva/Midrasha
Apr: Shvil Yisrael, Seder & Holocaust to Redemption Seminar
May-Jun: Yeshiva/Midrasha
Jul: Poland
Aug: Kibbutz/Volunteering
Sep: Yeshiva/Midrasha
Oct: Hadracha Seminar, Succot Break, and Nothern Tiyul
Nov: Yeshiva\ Midrasha
Dec: Closing seminar
Click here to see full yearly calendar
MTA offers a year of intense study in top learning institutions all while remaining in the Bnei Akiva framework. With over 30 years of experience, MTA has produced generations of leadership for Bnei Akiva, and is the perfect way to build one’s future in Torah learning and Israel.
Outside of yeshiva and midrasha, you will travel the length and the breadth of Israel on seminars, Shabbatonim and tiyulim as well as experience kibbutz and go on a life-changing trip to Poland. From learning about Israeli society to volunteering where Israel needs you most, MTA brings Torah study and a passion for Israel into one holistic programme.
Your year with MTA also places focus on leadership, and through volunteering, touring and learning from first-class educators, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to make a difference to the community.
You’ll be more independent than you’ve ever been in your life, yet you can relax knowing that your needs are being looked after.
Program components
SHABBATOT
Group Shabbatot
A few times during the year, MTA will reunite to spend Shabbat together. We choose the venues carefully so that you’ll enjoy Shabbat against a backdrop of some of Israel’s most beautiful settings. You’ll sing, share Divrei Torah, and enjoy meals together – all while seeing much more of Israel.
Shabbat Irgun
Shabbat Irgun in Israel is the culmination of a month of celebrations, which includes a special ceremony at which the newest shevet name is revealed. Shabbat Ha’irgun is the highlight of the year for members of Bnei Akiva in Israel – and you’ll be joining one of the local branches of BA to share in the celebrations, and getting to know your Israeli counterparts.
Shabbat Hachshara
MTA will join together with the rest of World Bnei Akiva’s many Hachshara programmes from all over the world to enjoy Shabbat with an international flavor. There will be around 200 people from every continent, and while you might not all speak the same language, you ’ll all have one thing in common – you are all part of Bnei Akiva
Journey to Poland
MTA participants have the special opportunity to visit Poland as part of their year with World Bnei Akiva: Hachshara. Starting and ending in Israel, the trip focuses on the experiences of Polish Jewry throughout its history. You’ll explore the immense and beautiful Jewry of pre-war Poland, dating back 800 years, and you’ll examine the years of the Holocaust by visiting Jewish ghettos, death and labour camps, and other significant sites. The trip is prepared meticulously by our educational team so that the experience is a meaningful one.
Shoah Seminar
Before and after the MTA Journey to Poland, you will explore different issues related to the Shoah, including the relationship with the foundation of Israel, how survivors were treated in Israel, the partisan forces, the role of the Zionist youth movements during the time of the Shoah, and more. You will hear survivor testimonies and visit some of Israel’s main Holocaust museums, including Yad Vashem. This seminar frames the experiences you will receive on our Journey to Poland.
Yeshivot and Midrashot
Meet The Team
SARAH ZUCKER LEVINSKY
Head of Program – MTA
DAPHNA REFAELI
Director of Israel Programs
HOW TO APPLY
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Click below on the APPLY HERE button | Once you have begun the application process, you can sign back in as many times as you like to continue the application.
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Register with MASA at www.masaisrael.org | Masa is a project of the Israeli government that offers Hachshara participants an automatic grant, with further needs based funding available.
How much does MTA cost?
The cost of MTA for 2026 is 115,000nis. The cost will cover tuition, seminars, tiyulim, accommodation, special Shabbatot, group transportation, staff and medical insurance*.
*Not covered by the medical insurance are costs related to optical care and treatment of dental problems, and medical care relating to pre-existing conditions. The full Maccabi insurance policy details and it’s exclusions can be viewed here. In addition, you may want extra laundry done at certain parts of the year, and you may want to purchase your own books and learning materials.
How will I know if I have been accepted?
After we receive and review your application, you’ll be invited for an interview. Your interview allows us to get to know you a bit better and assess your suitability for the program. It will also give you the opportunity to ask any specific questions you may have.
Shortly after the interview, you’ll be informed of your acceptance. Your place will be confirmed only after the payment plan has been agreed
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Shira, Australia
MTA taught me that Torah isn’t something learned in isolation, but something meant to be lived. What made my year on MTA so meaningful was the balance it created between deep Torah learning and fully experiencing what it means to live in Israel. Whether it was working on kibbutzim or volunteering across the country, I was able to truly experience what it means to be part of Am Yisrael. Throughout the year, I was surrounded by inspiring teachers, madrichim, and, more than that, friends who constantly motivated me to grow. It was such a zechut to be part of such a supportive group, which allowed me to invest in myself, invest in Am Yisrael, and form connections that will last far beyond the year. MTA allowed me to grow in ways I didn’t think were possible, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Eytan, Australia
MTA was a life changing year balancing fun with friends and meaningful learning with inspirational Rabbis. It's a great opportunity for both personal growth and growth in Torah, giving me invaluable skills for the rest of my life. I gained an incredible connection to the land and people of Israel and an understanding of its' history and culture which I'll never forget.
Gidon, South Africa
MTA was a year filled with constant growth and learning which prepared me for the rest of my life as a religious modern Orthodox Jew. I learned not only about the rich history of the land of Israel but also was able to delve into deep thought and learning with similar minded people and some of the best Rabbis in the world. MTA was a transformative and life changing experience for me and so many others
Lexi, South Africa
The year is hard, but it’s the challenges that make it incredible. Learning is hard but the meaning and lessons learnt are beautiful. Traveling is hard but it’s the places you go that stay with you forever. Hard means it’s worth it!
Sara, South Africa
Spending my gap year in Israel on the MTA program allowed me to immerse myself in Israeli life, Jewish culture, and Torah learning. This transformative experience deepened my Jewish identity, fostered personal growth, and connected me with inspiring mentors and lifelong friends! In a supportive community of like-minded individuals, I grew spiritually and intellectually while contributing to Am Yisrael through outreach and volunteer work. I am deeply grateful for the growth, relationships, and lasting impact MTA has given me.
Cheli, South Africa
What made MTA such a unique experience for me was the perfect blend between Midrasha and Bnei Akiva — it balanced deep Torah learning with Jewish identity and Eretz Yisrael in a way that felt natural and inspiring. Nothing was ever forced upon me; instead, I was given the freedom and space to grow in the way I wanted to. Having an entire year dedicated to learning Torah, working on myself internally, and forming lifelong friendships was a privilege I’ll always be grateful for. It allowed me to slow down, reflect, and truly invest in who I want to become.
I was given the opportunity to find role models everywhere — in teachers, madrichim, friends from other programs, and mostly in the girls I learned with every single day. At the same time, the year deepened my love for Eretz Yisrael in a way nothing else could. Through travelling, learning about the land, and experiencing it firsthand — from the north to the south during Pesach seminar, Shabbatons, and the seven-week summer break — Israel stopped being just a place and became home.