פולאריס - לקידום החינוך בישראל (ע''ר)

Migdalor Pre-Service Academy In memory of brothers Barak and Amichai Itkis RIP, combat officers in the IDF Migdalor is a pre-service military preparatory program (Mechinah) designed to promote social leadership among youth from the peripheral social margin of the State of Israel. The primary goal of the program is to reduce social gaps within Israeli society by strengthening its students and enhancing their sense of connectedness to the State of Israel and Israeli society. In the Mechinah, we have set as our goal, in memory of fallen soldiers of the IDF, brothers Second Lieutenant Barak Itkis and Major Amichai Itkis, to educate, instill a love of the Land of Israel, and provide our students with their first opportunity for success, stability, and a powerful experience of achievement in order to reinforce their sense of attachment to the state and the mosaic of Israeli society. The Mechina accompanies its students, at no cost to them, for the long term - throughout their preparatory year, their military service, their academic training, and their entry into the work force. The Mechinah strengthens its students by imbuing and developing within them a sense of responsibility, values-based leadership, and social activism within the framework of a comprehensive academic program focusing on the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, and through collaborative activities in the field and at sea that empower them to overcome challenges individually and as a group. The naval dimension provides a central and unique platform for the personal and collective growth of the students. The Mechinah aspires to instill knowledge and skills on an individual level through practical experience that strengthens each student’s sense of competence and proficiency. Enhancing Physical and Emotional Strength: The students will examine and reinforce their personal strength through experiential activities in a number of areas and challenging tests designed to increase their ability to withstand the tribulations of military service and civilian life, including: • A differentiated program of drills appropriate for each student; • Challenging activities at sea to develop physical and emotional coping skills; • Battlefield Protocol – combat discourse and analysis of operational and moral dilemmas; • Psychodrama Workshops; • Field Exercises – a variety of physical and emotional challenges (e.g. a week of survival exercises, navigation, a week of army exercises, etc.). 4 joint training sessions a year with Mossad agents! & additional army training with IDF elite special forces. Life Skills and Innovativeness: It is important to us that they will succeed not only in their military service, but also in their civilian life. Part of the educational rationale of the Mechinah is to strengthen the life skills of the students. In addition, the Mechinah places emphasis on developing skills for innovation and managing social projects. • Lectures and workshops on innovation and management by leading professionals in the field; • Practical experience in leading and managing projects; • Strengthening creative thinking, collaboration skills, and a sense of competence. Zionism and our Heritage: “A nation that doesn’t know its past, its present is poor, and its future will forever be uncertain". Yigal Alon Acquisition of knowledge and history are the basis for the values and morality from which we will sprout. We will learn about: • Modern nationalism; • The infrastructure and institutions of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state; • The IDF legacy and the wars of Israel; • Contemporary challenges facing Israeli society. Communal Work – Social Activism: Breaking down the sense of “I am, and there is none else beside me,” and developing the ability to perceive the needs of the “other” and work on his/her behalf, through participation in: • A community project established in cooperation with and on behalf of a community; • Active and ongoing volunteerism throughout the year. For additional details about the Mechinah, the staff, and the students - see the Mechinah website. Giora Levi – Chairman Polaris Foundation for the Advancement of Education in Israel / Mechinat Migdalor 054-4949101 giora.levi@gimel.work / www.mymigdalor.co.il