Ma'ase Association

The Ma’ase Center Association was founded in 2004 with the goal of advancing young men and women from Israel’s socio-economic periphery, providing them with an opportunity to shift from being recipients of aid to active citizens through volunteer frameworks. Ma'ase's model is based on research from Israel and abroad showing that volunteering is a significant tool for enhancing personal capabilities, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering a shared civil society. The Ma’ase Center Association operates approximately 17 diverse volunteer programs for all young people in Israel, including half-year preparatory programs (Ofek Pre-Army Academy) in the cities of Tiberias, Kiryat Shmona, and Netivot; annual preparatory programs (Gal Pre-Army Academy) in Haifa, Acre, and Kiryat Bialik; and specialized programs for at-risk youth in collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare (such as Liel, Bnei Gad, Kama, and Haro’ot academies). Additional programs include military preparation for unique youth populations (ultra-Orthodox youth, youth leaving religious communities), a coexistence yeshiva for Jews and Arabs located in Kibbutz Mizra, a national service year program, and additional initiatives within the Arab and Druze communities (the Arab Leadership Institute, Amali Program, Na’urin Program for Leadership and Excellence among Druze youth, and more). The association continues to support these young people even after their year of service, guiding them towards higher education, employment, and ongoing social engagement through the organization’s alumni network, which provides support for entry into academia and the job market, financial literacy education, alumni community events, scholarships, and more. The volunteers in Ma’ase work in various frameworks in the cities where they operate, such as nursing homes, educational institutions, clubs, youth centers, and more, addressing needs identified by local authorities (for example, providing broad support to local governments, security forces, and the Home Front Command during times of emergency, such as the “Sword of Iron” conflict). About Ma’ase Programs: Gal Pre-Army Academy for Leadership Training - An annual urban preparatory academy aimed at young people from Israel's social and geographical periphery, including Ethiopian Israelis, boarding school graduates, and youth village residents. The program combines broadening horizons, social involvement, military and life preparation, and serves as a yeshiva for training young leaders. Ma’oz Ha’Erez Pre-Army Academy - A unique program in Israel established to integrate Arabic speakers into the IDF's intelligence units, located in the Lower Galilee. It brings together Druze and Jewish youth and provides them with significant tools in Hebrew and Arabic, analytical knowledge, and improved analytical skills. Bnei Gad - An annual pre-army program designed for at-risk youth. The program’s goal is to strengthen participants' self-belief, define goals and achieve them, develop personal skills, and build resilience through physical and mental challenges. Another goal is to help participants qualify for significant roles in the IDF, ultimately fostering independent, norm-abiding citizens in Israel. Ma’ase in the Galilee / Negev / Kiryat Shmona - A unique group of half-year pre-army preparatory academies operated by Ma’ase in Tiberias, Kiryat Shmona, and Netivot. These academies aim to provide young people from Israel's social-geographic periphery with a meaningful framework to connect them to place, identity, and community. The framework serves as a foundation for personal development, potential realization, significant military service, leadership skills, and community involvement. Ma’ase Core Year of Service - A pre-military volunteer year offering young people from the socio-economic periphery a framework for volunteering before their military service. This year allows exposure to a wide range of volunteer opportunities across the country, personal development, and learning. Volunteers develop leadership skills, an awareness of the importance of personal growth, and goal setting. Upon completing the year, volunteers can continue on the Nahal track in the IDF. Joint Israeli Leadership Academy - A unique program that brings together all parts of Israeli society to shape tomorrow's leaders. The academy is for secular and religious Jews, Christian and Muslim Arabs, Bedouins, Circassians, Druze, new immigrants, and veteran Israelis. The focus is on joint learning, exploring Israel and its diverse groups, broadening horizons, social involvement, and social entrepreneurship. Youth Programs - Encouraging volunteerism starts at a young age. Ma’ase operates volunteer programs in high schools, youth villages, and boarding schools nationwide, guiding teenagers toward volunteerism and social involvement while still in school. UP - Alumni Organization - A social network for young people who are alumni of Ma’ase’s volunteer programs. The alumni network provides a community and support system for our thousands of alumni at various stages of their independent lives—during their military service, academic studies, job searching, career building, etc. The organization provides financial support, housing assistance, guidance for scholarships, a mentoring program, employment support, and more. Programs in the Arab Community - Ma’ase runs several training and leadership programs in the Arab community, recognizing that advancing academia and employment in the Arab sector, along with deepening personal identity and shared societal values, will help develop tomorrow’s leaders in Israeli society. Gava Pre-Army Academy - Bridging Worlds - An academy located in southern Tel Aviv, offering support to young people before military service. Some of these youth are former ultra-Orthodox who lack family support and resources to integrate into society and the military. Together, participants volunteer, study, delve into Jewish tradition with a renewed perspective, and prepare physically and mentally for military service. Yadav Be’emunah Pre-Army Academy - This pre-military academy supports young people from the ultra-Orthodox community who still wish to enlist in the IDF with values of nationalism and leadership. These young people come from religious families and are looking for a path in both the religious world and Israeli society. The academy provides them with support, a platform for identity exploration, and thorough preparation for meaningful military service. About the Ma’ase Team: The leadership, program managers, educators, and headquarters staff of the Ma’ase Center Association embody the organization’s vision: promoting social mobility for all citizens of Israel, encompassing all of its groups: Jews, Christians, Bedouins, Muslims, Ethiopian Israelis, Druze, and others. Together, they work collaboratively to achieve shared goals. We are also proud that approximately 70% of the management and leadership roles in the organization are held by women, signifying a strong and leading female presence within the organization.