Yesodot has developed several programs for young men and women who have completed their high school education. We see this age group as an important target population as this is often the time that young adults crystallize their political attitudes. They also serve as role models for other youth, and therefore their understanding and internalization of Yesodot’s messages has an added value.

• Sheirut Leumi Program
• Young Orthodox Leadership Program
• Mechina , Hesder and Midrasha Programs

Sheirut Leumi Program
Yesodot has designed a program for young women from religious Zionist backgrounds who are doing Sheirut Leumi or National Service. For the past several years this program has been conducted in conjunction with a secular group from Bina, an educational affiliate of the United Kibbutz Movement, who is doing volunteer work in the same South Tel Aviv neighborhood. Together, the Sheirut Leumi group and the Bina group explore relations between Orthodox and secular Israelis as well as Judaism’s relationship to the “other”.

Young Orthodox Leadership Program
A group of men and women who have completed their Army or National Service are participating in our Young Orthodox Leadership Program. This group of 20-30 year olds does not merely sit and talk about tolerance and openness in a regular classroom setting, but they also meet and interact with people from all walks of Israeli life, including Bedouins, Ethiopians, Reform Jews, Hassidic Jews and foreign workers. The goal of this program is to develop a cadre of young leaders from the Orthodox community who will work to create a tolerant and open society in Israel.

Mechina, Hesder and Midrasha Programs
Yesodot conducts programs in post-high school educational institutions for young people prior to their entry into compulsory military or National Service. These programs include a Jewish studies program for young men prior to their military service (Mechina), a Yeshiva program for young men that combines Jewish studies with military service (Hesder), and a Jewish studies program for young women prior to their military or National Service (Midrasha). In these programs Yesodot focuses on the relationship of a religious individual to the State.