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A little about Ami-Chai Preparatory School
Ami-Chai Preparatory School is a mixed pre-military preparatory school for social Zionist leadership located in Kibbutz Kramim in the northern Negev. The preparatory school offers 12th grade graduates, girls and boys, traditional and religious secular, to postpone the draft in favor of a year of deepening identity, love of country, moral work, social action, preparation for meaningful service, pioneering, learning and listening.
The vision of the preparatory school – to be a place of empowerment and leadership development, where the trainees go through a personal and group journey of maturation, identity formation and clarification of values towards a full life of Zionist – Jewish-Israeli social fulfillment on the path to building a model society in the State of Israel and world improvement.
The trainees of the preparatory school live in a magical compound on a kibbutz and maintain an active community life and manage their lifestyles alongside meaningful learning and contributing action.
In the field of preparation for the IDF, the trainees train regularly and undergo a series of lessons and workshops in preparation for their military service. Every few weeks, the group embarks on an educational series or an empowering walking tour.
Ami-Hai Preparatory School is characterized by a desire for excellence, perseverance, and seriousness, alongside a family-friendly atmosphere based on simplicity, respectful discourse, and hard work.
Ami-Chai Preparatory School is a mixed pre-military preparatory school for social Zionist leadership located in Kibbutz Kramim in the northern Negev. The preparatory school offers 12th grade graduates, girls and boys, traditional and religious secular, to postpone the draft in favor of a year of deepening identity, love of country, moral work, social action, preparation for meaningful service, pioneering, learning and listening. The vision of the preparatory school – to be a place of empowerment and leadership development, where the trainees go through a personal and group journey of maturation, identity formation and clarification of values towards a full life of Zionist – Jewish-Israeli social fulfillment on the path to building a model society in the State of Israel and world improvement. The trainees of the preparatory school live in a magical compound on a kibbutz and maintain an active community life and manage their lifestyles alongside meaningful learning and contributing action. In the field of preparation for the IDF, the trainees train regularly and undergo a series of lessons and workshops in preparation for their military service. Every few weeks, the group embarks on an educational series or an empowering walking tour. Ami-Hai Preparatory School is characterized by a desire for excellence, perseverance, and seriousness, alongside a family-friendly atmosphere based on simplicity, respectful discourse, and hard work.
About the Harness Program
The Amichai preparatory school together with the Zionist Council operates the Retamim program.
The Retamim program is a leadership development program for young people in the Negev
The program is intended for 10th-12th grade students from southern cities, ambitious and ethical youth interested in influencing the future of the country and the Negev
Amichai Preparatory School in the Nets!
What is the preparatory course actually about?
The Seven Pillars of the Preparatory School
Deepening Jewish and Israeli identity by studying the founding sources of our shared identity. Conceptual clarification and developing a reasoned personal opinion by encountering a variety of opinions, sources and inspiring people.
Mechina students meet and acquire knowledge in the following areas: Zionism, Judaism, leadership, society and economy, law and justice, national resilience, philosophy, political thought, knowledge of the land, literature and poetry, history of the Jewish people, democracy, geopolitics, Orientalism, media, current affairs, preparation for the army (+first aid) and moral education.
Nice to meet you!
Preparatory staff
Honen Haim
Head of the preparatory school
"Married to Hagit and father to Zohar, Neve and Velsegv. Member of Kibbutz Caramim. Major (res.). Graduated with a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the Open University, and a MA in Political Science from the Hebrew University. Previously, he managed the youth sector at the "Zionist Council in Israel", which included the youth organization and the "Tzamert" service year."
Meet our team of lecturers
Preparatory classes
Dr. Avner Dinur - Secular Theologian
A resident of Sderot and a member of the diverse urban kibbutz. Lecturer in Jewish thought and philosophy at Sapir College, Bar-Ilan, and several pre-military preparatory schools.
His book "Something to Believe in - Secular Theology" was published by Adra in 2023. He teaches at the preparatory school about secular Judaism and the complex relationship between religion and nation.
Secular, traditional, and religious people are invited to rethink both the differences and the connection in the classes.
Dr. Ofer Mukhtar - Sociology of Israeli Society
Born and lives in Be'er Sheva. Senior lecturer in sociology and criminology at universities and colleges. Member of the Parole Committee of the Israeli Prison Service, member of the management of Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Dr. Ofer teaches sociology of Israeli society, settlement and is a partner in the project Influencing from Within - Israel Reserves in the Mechina.
Ronen Ben Nahum - The Middle East and the Islamic World
Resident of Beit Kama, Middle East researcher. Served for many years in the intelligence community.
Graduated with a BA and MA in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic language.
Teaches the preparatory school students about the Arab world and Islamic culture, with an emphasis on studying modern history and getting to know the various religious groups in the region.
Yair Tiktyn - Philosophy, the Cycle of the Year, the Land of Israel and Hebrew Poetry
Married to Anat and father of Barry, Yehuda and Yitzhak, member of Kibbutz Kramim. CEO of the Mixed Preparatory School Movement and educational director of Kedma-Young Settlement.
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy, economics and political science, studied for a teaching certificate in Jewish thought and Bible and a master's degree in civic education and democracy. A major in the reserves, he served over 250 days in the Iron Swords War. He served for about 13 years as director of Mechinat Amichai. At the end of 2024, his book "Learning for Israel - An Israeli Jewish Midrash for Those Who Walk for Israel" was published.
Believe in the greatness of man created in the image of God.
Guy Hadad - Dimensional work
Graduate of the third cycle of the Amichai Mechina, married, father of six, officer in the reserve armory, musician and educator, founder of the national volunteer association "Revolution of Joy" volunteers in hospitals, lives in the Jerusalem area.
Teaches at the Mechina Midrashir - the work of virtues through Hebrew music.
We are in the media
Journey to Masada: Cycle 16
In short: Cycle 16
In short: Cycle 16
Graduates of the preparatory school, yours and your path
Preparatory classes
Partners in the journey
The preparatory school and its graduates continue with extensive and significant educational activity and social fulfillment. We turn to you as partners on the path to assist in the blessed work of the Ami-Chai preparatory school and the Retamim program.
We would love for you to stay in touch with us.
You can leave your details in the form and we will get back to you soon.
Contact information:
Email: amichaimkdz@gmail.com
Office Cell Phone: 054-966-3068
