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 2026 are now open!
Application deadline is June 10th 2025.
At a glance
Duration: 10 months
2025 dates: 3rd February - 28th 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.
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Leadership TrainingWith our professional guidance, and carefully crafted activities and workshops, participants develop their own unique leadership skills, and the confidence to serve as a personal example. Through their own initiative and teamwork they establish and run committees that steer the very course of the program, and work on individual and group projects to hone their skills. Committees are responsible for many aspects of Mechina life including educational content, PR, cooking, army preparation, tiyulim and more.
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Torah learning and lifestyleOur learning program teaches a religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox educational philosophy. We believe in learning for the sake of growing which makes classes lively, positive, relevant and involved. Topics studied include Torah and Jewish texts, tfilla, emuna, Jewish history, Zionism, and philosophy. You’ll be guided throughout, and different levels will be catered for. To be a participant on the Mechina, you don’t need prior knowledge in Jewish studies – you just need commitment to learn and to grow.
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Community ServiceAs part of the immersion into Israeli society and to contribute to it, participants dedicate time to volunteer within a local community. Projects include teaching English in schools, visiting the elderly, working with people with disabilities, and agricultural work.
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Love of IsraelParticipants discover Israel both geographically and socially, as we encourage them to challenge their pre-existing perceptions of the country and the people. They are exposed to all sectors of the Israeli population, and develop their own understanding of how the pioneering spirit is still very much alive in contemporary Israel. With the Love and connection to the Land of Israel being such a core element of the program, our participants grow to become the newest link in the chain of pioneers.
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Fitness Camp and Army PreparationWe make every effort to ensure that participants going into the IDF have a meaningful service. Therefore, there are classes and activities carefully designed to deal with a wide range of subjects relating to army service including ethics, leadership and structure of the IDF. Twice a week there are physical training classes for all participants. Classes are run by professionals as well as by participants. Participants gain self-empowerment through coping with physically challenging situations, and develop physical fitness and mental stability.
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Hebrew LearningThroughout the program, our international participants take part in our own dedicated “Ulpan” – intensive Hebrew learning course, with 2 classes a week divided according to 3 different levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. However the best Hebrew learning is through their daily interactions with their Israeli peers at the Mechina with whom they share everything.
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Jewish PeoplehoodThe Mechina Olamit strives to bolster the link between Israel’s Jews and Diaspora Jewry through their common historical, religious, and cultural heritage. We actively work to instill within our participants a desire for mutual action and commitment to a stronger and positive Jewish future.
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Seminars, Camp, and TripsThere are regular three to six-day seminars and trips around the country to expose the participants to a wide array of topics and build an intimate familiarity with land of Israel. Seminars include: Israeli society, Shoah, Zionism, Jewish Peoplehood, Gush Etzion, Navigation, Army preparation, Desert Survival and Chovek Israel – the final two-week trip from North to South of Israel planned entirely by participants. Participants help plan and run many aspects of each trip and seminar, including building educational elements, accommodation, cooking, navigating, and guest speakers.
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Safety and SecurityWe 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.
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Health and WellbeingWorld 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
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.
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Leadership TrainingWith our professional guidance, and carefully crafted activities and workshops, participants develop their own unique leadership skills, and the confidence to serve as a personal example. Through their own initiative and teamwork they establish and run committees that steer the very course of the program, and work on individual and group projects to hone their skills. Committees are responsible for many aspects of Mechina life including educational content, PR, cooking, army preparation, tiyulim and more.
-
Torah learning and lifestyleOur learning program teaches a religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox educational philosophy. We believe in learning for the sake of growing which makes classes lively, positive, relevant and involved. Topics studied include Torah and Jewish texts, tfilla, emuna, Jewish history, Zionism, and philosophy. You’ll be guided throughout, and different levels will be catered for. To be a participant on the Mechina, you don’t need prior knowledge in Jewish studies – you just need commitment to learn and to grow.
-
Community ServiceAs part of the immersion into Israeli society and to contribute to it, participants dedicate time to volunteer within a local community. Projects include teaching English in schools, visiting the elderly, working with people with disabilities, and agricultural work.
-
Love of IsraelParticipants discover Israel both geographically and socially, as we encourage them to challenge their pre-existing perceptions of the country and the people. They are exposed to all sectors of the Israeli population, and develop their own understanding of how the pioneering spirit is still very much alive in contemporary Israel. With the Love and connection to the Land of Israel being such a core element of the program, our participants grow to become the newest link in the chain of pioneers.
-
Fitness Camp and Army PreparationWe make every effort to ensure that participants going into the IDF have a meaningful service. Therefore, there are classes and activities carefully designed to deal with a wide range of subjects relating to army service including ethics, leadership and structure of the IDF. Twice a week there are physical training classes for all participants. Classes are run by professionals as well as by participants. Participants gain self-empowerment through coping with physically challenging situations, and develop physical fitness and mental stability.
-
Hebrew LearningThroughout the program, our international participants take part in our own dedicated “Ulpan” – intensive Hebrew learning course, with 2 classes a week divided according to 3 different levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. However the best Hebrew learning is through their daily interactions with their Israeli peers at the Mechina with whom they share everything.
-
Jewish PeoplehoodThe Mechina Olamit strives to bolster the link between Israel’s Jews and Diaspora Jewry through their common historical, religious, and cultural heritage. We actively work to instill within our participants a desire for mutual action and commitment to a stronger and positive Jewish future.
-
Seminars, Camp, and TripsThere are regular three to six-day seminars and trips around the country to expose the participants to a wide array of topics and build an intimate familiarity with land of Israel. Seminars include: Israeli society, Shoah, Zionism, Jewish Peoplehood, Gush Etzion, Navigation, Army preparation, Desert Survival and Chovek Israel – the final two-week trip from North to South of Israel planned entirely by participants. Participants help plan and run many aspects of each trip and seminar, including building educational elements, accommodation, cooking, navigating, and guest speakers.
-
Safety and SecurityWe 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.
-
Health and WellbeingWorld 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
Meet The Team
GOLDIE DAVIS
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 2026 price for MTA will be announced soon. 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 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
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Netanya, South Africa
MTA gave me the opportunity to really find myself and connect with my Jewish essence. Being able to both learn and travel the country of Israel with my group truly changed my life. I made so many friends from various different backgrounds, both Israel and abroad. I participated in Tiyulim and experienced things I I never thought I would be capable of experiencing. MTA truly impacted me and allowed me to grow in the most incredible ways and it is a year that I will never forget!
Eytan, Australia
You meet people from SA and Australia and form a strong connection with everyone, including the madrichim. The learning at Gush is amazing and Rav Pini is a great leader of the program at the yeshiva! The madrichim really care about the Chanichim, and overall the program is truly amazing!
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.
Yoni, South Africa
An incredible learning experience, with great fun, good friends and great laughs.