“On behalf of the State of Israel, I would like to honor you today—your contribution to the country’s security, its social resilience, its economy, education, spirit, and culture—to every field and domain. We would not be who we are without the graduates of (the) Yemin Orde (mechina), and we are grateful and blessed for that,” said President Isaac Herzog last Thursday (November 13th), at a festive ceremony marking a quarter-century of the Yemin Orde Young Men’s Leadership Program in Hatzor HaGlilit—the first leadership mechina in Israel for youth from the country’s social and geographic peripheries.

25 years; 1,200 graduates – nearly all of whom went on to do combat service, many in command and officer roles; and 15 President’s Award recipients, whom the president mentioned in his speech. These numbers tell the story of the Mechina that transformed the life trajectory of so many of its participants: teens from Israel’s geographic and social periphery, from the Ethiopian-Israeli community, and others.

“With us, they learn to dream and to reach their dreams,” said Eyal Eldar, the head of the Mechina since it opened. “Our participants gain experience in community leadership, public speaking, learning........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)