First Comprehensive Study of Preparatory Programs in Israel

Research Commissioned by the UJA - Jewish Federation of New York

Published April 2006

Israel’s first preparatory program for underprivileged youth

Mechina Program of the Northern Negev  Breaks New Ground:

successfully reaches out to youth from peripheries

Highlights of the Report

Most preparatory programs are exclusive and recruit students from high socio-economic backgrounds …

Mechina Program of the Northern Negev students hail primarily from southern development towns, 2/3 of their parents have only primary or secondary education, and are in low economic brackets or unemployed.

The program clearly makes a vital contribution towards mobilizing its students into the mainstream of Israeli society, without their losing ties to the communities from which they came, nor diminishing their continued commitment towards those communities.

Graduates Unequivocal in Recommending Program

91% of Kiryat Malachi graduate respondents would recommend the program to their friends without hesitation.

Overall only 36% of other preparatory programs graduates would recommend the program they attended without qualification! 

142% increase in motivation to serve in IDF combat units after completing Mechina Program of the Northern Negev!   

On a scale of 1 – 7 graduates ranked the Mechina: 

·          6.13 – Strengthened self-confidence

·          6.13 – Strengthened values

·          6.04 – Strengthened sense of Jewish identity

·          6.00 – Learned importance of volunteering in the community