Vision:

We seek to establish a beit midrash integrating study, work, tikun olam and community.  Our study program will include all the areas of study relevant to the Arava along with Jewish and spiritual studies.   The beit midrash will also offer lessons open to the entire community (Yahel and Hevel Eilot).

 Beit Midrash "On the way" will be imbued with Reform Judaism's liberal, pluralistic approach. Study will be done on the basis of subjects that the group itself will help to define. The major challenge of the Beit Midrash BeDerech is to create a community that studies Jewish sources together as a way of life.  We hope that participants will develop a commitment to life-long Jewish study and will seek ways to continue this engagement during university and when they start their own families. We believe that it is possible and even an obligation to bridge the period between the "Youth movement age" and the "Family age" when families seek appropriate community for themselves. Creating a learning community at this age, (after the army and before university), is a means to guarantee meaningful Jewish community in the future. We seek to offer the Arava as a cradle for such community building.

 The long-term objective is to create a permanent Beit Midrash on Yahel, which will combine Academic studies and educational activism in several ereas of thought. During the first years of the program we shall outline the blue-print of this Next-Step.

 Beit Midrash “On the Way”: Work, Community, Study.

 Our target population is young men and women after their army service, who are interested in enriching a period of “preferred work” (6 months of work in selected areas which entitles army veterans to a government grant) with community building, service, creativity and study.  Participants will build their own community, and will also be part of the kibbutz community and the southern Arava.

 Study:

Our study program will create a dialogue on issues of life, personal identity and Jewish identity. There will be two structured classes a week of two hours each.

1. Jewish studies from an open, modern, pluralistic approach.  This course will center on issues of Jewish identity and of practical implementations for creating a value-based lifestyle.  The direction of the course will be determined by the participants, along with our teacher Rabbi Benji Gruber.
2. The Arava.  This course will expose the participants to all aspects of the region: people, settlements, environment, history, current initiatives and future directions.  We will meet a wide variety of personalities from Yahel and from the region and learn first-hand of the exciting developments taking place.

 Furthermore, in a firm belief that participants come to give as well as receive, the group will sponsor one or more one-time projects during the program.

 We also plan to have hikes and trips within the area, in order to deepen our acquaintance and understanding through direct experience.

 Day-to-day Life:

Our work in various branches of the kibbutz will be a major part of the day.  Areas of work will include:

1. Packing House: Sorting and packing fresh agricultural produce (melons, peppers, onions, dates)
2. Dairy Farm and milking parlor
3. Date Orchard
4. Tourism – vacation village

 Participants will be paid minimum wage plus (4200 NIS per month, not including overtime).  Living expenses are subsidized by the kibbutz and we estimate that the net cost to participant will be 1000-1200 NIS per month (rent, electricity and food)

 What about visits home?

We hope Yahel will be seen as home.  However we realize that family and friends should be visited.   Participants will be able to:

Coordinate days off with their branch manager and will be able to take Short Weekends – Friday & Shabbat

 Once a month we will have a group Shabbat together at Yahel.  The group will be responsible for planning these Shabbatot.

 When does it start?

The beit midrash will begin the last week of August.

We will start with an orientation of a few days.

 What is the acceptance procedure to the program?

Candidates must send a CV.  Personal interviews will be held with all prospective participants.  The program will be limited to approximately 20 participants.