gap year
A YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING
Aharai!’s service year program offers graduates a transformative year of full-time volunteer work before entering the IDF. Participants defer their army service to live in underserved neighborhoods, where they run youth centers, mentor at-risk kids, and strengthen the social fabric of Israel from the ground up.
What makes Aharai!’s approach unique is its focus on building participants’ initiative and strong sense of mission. Long before they receive a rank, a unit, or a command, participants learn what it means to earn trust, carry responsibility, and put the needs of others before their own. For many fellows, this year is a defining experience: a bridge between adolescence and adulthood, where they not only serve, but learn to carry real responsibility when no one is watching.
Create lasting impact in underserved communities through year-long volunteer leadership.
Learn to earn trust, carry responsibility, and lead before military service begins.
Instill a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and civic responsibility.
PROGRAM TRACKS
TAMIR FELLOWSHIP
The Tamir Fellowship gives young Israelis a full year of responsibility before enlistment. Participants defer military service and live in communities across Israel, working daily with schools, youth programs, and underserved populations as mentors, educators, and role models. Alongside that service, fellows live as a cohort and take part in physical challenges, leadership training, and study of Israeli society. The year is designed to turn a willingness to help into the judgment, initiative, and accountability required when others begin to depend on them.
50+
ANNUAL PARTICIPANTS
7
ANNUAL GROUPS
1 YR.
PROGRAM DURATION
2000
YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT
HIGH-POTENTIAL YOUTH FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
TARGET PARTICIPANTS
LEADERSHIP
ACADEMIES (MECHINOT)
