9 MONTHS・CO-ED・ENGLISH
CANADA・EUROUPE・UK・USA
Kivun is a life-changing gap year program where you’ll experience living independently in Israel, encounter Israeli society first-hand, and engage with Judaism like never before!
The program is for young adults who are highly motivated to get the most out of their year in Israel with World Bnei Akiva and want to grow as a Jew and develop as a person.
Over the course of Kivun you’ll gain a unique understanding of Israeli life through an incredible array of experiences and authentic interactions all while having amazing fun together with new friends from around the globe. You’ll live in apartments in Jerusalem, discover all of Israel, gaining independence, Jewish growth, and real-life skills to take back home.
*Note:
All World Bnei Akiva programs are continuing to run during this challenging period in Israel.
Applications for 2024 are still open! The deadline, which runs in line with the Joint Yeshiva & Seminary application was extended until 24th of January 2024. We will continue to accept applications past the deadline until places are full.
At a glance
Duration: 9 months
Sep: Kibbutz - Pioneering Experience
Oct: High Holidays
Nov/Dec: Internships
Jan/Feb: Electives: MDA/Marva
Mar: Volunteering & Israel/Judaism Seminars
Apr: Zionism & National Holiday Seminars
May: Learning & Leadership
June: Closing seminar
Your first year after school is your first real opportunity to shape your future life direction and choose the values you wish to live by.
That’s why we’ve designed the Kivun program, to help you explore your Judaism and Zionism in a positive and non-judgmental environment, and to help you forge your own personal direction.
Kivun will facilitate your personal and religious growth through diverse and challenging experiences, giving an authentic encounter with Israel. It will deepen your understanding of Judaism through relevant and contemporary learning from ancient texts to modern, cutting-edge issues.
Bnei Akiva believes that our learning and personal growth must be matched by a commitment to action - or in other words, Torah Va’Avodah. On Kivun you will become active contributors to Israeli society, making a tangible difference to people and communities.
And Kivun doesn’t end there: our vision is for graduates of Kivun to make a lifelong commitment to giving back to others, through being involved in Bnei Akiva, the wider community and Israel.
Bnei Akiva - a global community
Kivun has been uniquely created to meet your needs as young Jews. Most of the program is with likeminded youth from North America, England, mainland Europe and beyond. Additionally, significant parts of the year have been designed to cross paths with other World Bnei Akiva Hachshara programs from around the world. This means you will have the opportunity to learn, hike and celebrate chagim with other young Jews from over 15 different countries; from Australia to Italy and from Uruguay to South Africa. The coming together of future Jewish leaders from so many different countries and backgrounds will enrich your year and give you friends from around the world.
Journey to Poland
Kivun participants have the special opportunity of visiting 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. Whilst in Israel, you’ll prepare for your journey to Poland, and on your return, you’ll deal with processing and concluding the many
concepts and issues that the trip covered.
(*The Poland journey, although highly recommended is an optional extra, for an additional cost)
Meet The Team
ARIEL VILNER
Head of Program – Kivun
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 Kivun cost?
The cost of Kivun for 2023/24 is 105,000 NIS. The cost covers 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 prior dental problems, medical care relating to pre-existing conditions, hepatitis and MMR vaccinations (required by MDA volunteers). The full Maccabi insurance policy details and it’s exclusions can be viewed here. In addition, you may want laundry done at certain parts of the year (eg. Marva/Mada periods), and you may be required to purchase your own books and learning materials for the study periods.
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
Carol, Miami
I absolutely loved being able to feel as if I lived as an Israeli, within a group of international students. One of my favorite things was being able to get the real Israeli working experience through my internship, which was with the deputy mayor of Jerusalem. I also really loved being able to grow as a Jew and as a Zionist with other Jewish, Zionist students from around the world, and learning about their cultures. For anyone looking for a program that really makes you feel as if you are an Israeli, I highly recommend Kivun. It is a one-of-a-kind life experience that you won't be able to get any other way.
Eli, London
My year on Kivun has been the best year of my life. I've met the most amazing people and share some incredible experiences with them. I've been able to do so much, I've worked on a Kibbutz, Interned at the Ministry of Health, worked on a National Ambulance Service and learnt about my Jewish history and identity. I've also learnt about myself and grown as a person.
Jake, London
Choosing to go on Kivun was the best decision I ever made because it has positively impacted my life to this day. I created new and meaningful friendships with people from all around the World; developed my Jewish identity and grew massively in my independence, all while exploring, and living in, Eretz Yisrael.
Lior, Stockholm
A year of personal and Jewish growth and living in the Israeli society. Jewish learning that give you different perspectives. The best gap year experience I could have ever had.
Lital, Philadelphia
My experience in Kivun has absolutely been incredible and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have met people from all over the world and have had amazing experiences I will never forget. I have gained independence, learned more about Israel, and integrated into Israeli society. Kivun has given me the opportunity to grow so much and I am so grateful to have chosen this program. It truly has the best to offer and is an experience that will last a lifetime!
Olivia, London
My experience on Kivun was full of growth, fun, independence and a love for Judaism and Israel. Throughout the year the different experiences ranging from working on a kibbutz to internships to volunteering to hikes and seminars, guided me through what it means to live in Israel. I came to love Israel even more than I thought possible and my connection to am Yisrael strengthened even more. This program gave me friendship and memories that will last a lifetime.
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