"Shnat is where I made the decision to live the rest of my life building a better world as a Shomer."
-Daniel Roth, Shnat 2000-2001
-Daniel Roth, Shnat 2000-2001
The Elements That Make Up Shnat Tzafon (North America + Europe)
Each of the English speaking Shnat programs (Tzafon and Australia) are made up of 3 of the following overarching chapters. These form the building blocks of the Shnat Hachshara program. Shnat is a living and breathing program. In each chapter participants live, learn and work together in a facilitated process. Every cohort looks different and brings different elements together to form the program. The program coordinators and guides shape these elements for each Shnat cohort anew so that the elements that make up the year reflect the aims of the individuals in the program, the group as a collective, and to reflect the reality on the ground.
Kibbutz – During the Kibbutz chapter, Shomrim*ot (movement members) have the opportunity to live, learn and work together with other Shnat participants from across the World Movement in Kibbutz Gan Shmuel in the north of Israel. A large focus of this section of the program is to understand and experience life on the kibbutz and to engage and connect with the history and the living community there. Day to day life during this part of the program includes: Working on the kibbutz, eating in the cheder ochel (communal dining hall), activities based on weekly topics surrounding Hashomer Hatzair's ideology, kibbutz family placements, learning Hebrew, seminars, tiyulim (trips around the country), bringing in guest speakers, and more.
Communa - For the Communa chapter, the Shnat group is given the opportunity to live together in the center of Haifa while managing their collective home life autonomously, sharing time, space, budgets, chores, and celebrations, which they build and shape as a group. The two main aspects of this chapter are exploring and learning about the meaning of communal living as Shomrim*ot, while also having a heavy emphasis on volunteering across various sections of Haifa’s multifaceted society. This can include work with at-risk youth, coexistence projects, caring for animals and more. The goal here is to experience a model of the urban Shomeric lifestyle in the 21st century; one where the kvutza (group) lives communally and engages in the reality around them through social justice work in a range of areas.
Machon – Machon L’Madrichei Chutz La’Aretz (The Institute for youth leaders abroad) is a 4 month intensive leadership training course based in Jerusalem. For this section of the program, participants live, study, and tour with a cohort made up of various other international youth movements across the religious and political spectrum, in order to become better prepared as youth leadership for their respective communities after the program. The classes range from various topics such as Hadracha (leadership and informal education), Jewish and Israeli history, politics, Hebrew, Judaism and more. Compared to any other part of the Shnat program, Machon encourages critical discussion, learning and political engagement in a challenging pluralist environment situated in arguably one of the most interesting and engaging cities in the world.
Final Project – In the final project chapter the Shnat group engages in a process of learning, bonding, and working together throughout the year, in order to have the opportunity to shape and decide as a kvutza a project of their choosing in Israel; whether that be something related to ecology & sustainability, education, politics, the conflict, disability support and so on. The group arrives at a collective decision through a facilitated process of understanding how to work and build projects together and obtain skills and resources from within and outside of the World movement. Participants will be empowered to return to their communities with the skills and experiences to build meaningful community and social justice projects of their own.
Some of the Highlights...
- Masa L'Polin - 7 day historic and educational journey to Poland focused on the Shoah and resistence.
- Tiyul Channukah - 5 day hike in the desert with members of Hashomer Hatzair Israel.
- Seminars - Partnering with Meretz, J Street, Bina, Pardes and more!
- Volunteering with social organizations in Israel which may include: community centers of Hashomer Hatzair working with youth-at-risk, Palestinian - Jewish co-existence projects, and more.
- Meet people from all over Israel including Kibbutzniks, foreign workers, activists, Palestinian Citizen of Israel, alternative communities builders, and many others!
- Trips around Israel including visiting many of the unique and wonderful cities and towns throughout the country, seeing ancient ruins, seeing the beauty and getting to know the land.
Program Cost and Scholarships
Cost
The cost for Shnat Tzafon is $13000 USD.
This amount includes everything you see above- all programs and accommodations, coordination by the Hashomer Hatzair World Movement, the trip to Poland (flights and accommodation), local program development and communication. Hashomer Hatzair is proud to offer the most affordable gap year program of its kind.
Scholarships
Program participants are generally allotted a scholarship from the Jewish Agency, through MASA, and each participant has an opportunity to apply for a needs-based MASA Scholarship. To learn more you can find everything here on the general information page: http://www.masaisrael.org/grants/apply and you can find Hashomer Hatzair programs here.
Also, many organizations (including Jewish schools, synagogues and foundations) are often interested in funding individuals to participate in Israel Programs, and there are numerous grants that can be applied for by young Jewish leaders. You should talk with your local Shaliach/a (Hashomer Hatzair Movement Director) for more information on seeking out additional support.
The cost for Shnat Tzafon is $13000 USD.
This amount includes everything you see above- all programs and accommodations, coordination by the Hashomer Hatzair World Movement, the trip to Poland (flights and accommodation), local program development and communication. Hashomer Hatzair is proud to offer the most affordable gap year program of its kind.
Scholarships
Program participants are generally allotted a scholarship from the Jewish Agency, through MASA, and each participant has an opportunity to apply for a needs-based MASA Scholarship. To learn more you can find everything here on the general information page: http://www.masaisrael.org/grants/apply and you can find Hashomer Hatzair programs here.
Also, many organizations (including Jewish schools, synagogues and foundations) are often interested in funding individuals to participate in Israel Programs, and there are numerous grants that can be applied for by young Jewish leaders. You should talk with your local Shaliach/a (Hashomer Hatzair Movement Director) for more information on seeking out additional support.
Ready to Apply?
Follow this link to get started! www.hashomershnat.org/application-process.html
We look forward to seeing you soon
We look forward to seeing you soon
