Walk the way of Derech Eretz

Who We Are

Derech Eretz establishes and operates pluralistic social-educational leadership programs in the Negev for Israeli youth and young adults, aiming to close social gaps, break down community siloes, and foster engaged citizens.

Derech Eretz is committed to realizing its vision by creating a network of educational programs in the Negev, empowering young people from socio-economic peripheries and all sectors of Israeli society to engage in a process of identity formation and personal growth. This journey leads to choosing meaningful military service and taking on responsibility and active involvement in society. Derech Eretz’s programs aim to equip young people with the tools to fulfill their personal aspirations while promoting partnership and contribution to Israeli society, highlighting the essential connection between the two.

The Programs

Our multi-year, holistic, in-depth process supports and accompanies our participants throughout a significant period of their lives, from the end of their high-school studies to their adult lives, focused on the significant junctures of young adult life in Israel.

Youth Leadership Programs (Pre-Military Preparatory / Mechina) operating in 6 campuses across the south of Israel

Alumni Community – a place where shared values and responsibility can serve as a platform for social initiatives, fueled with our guidance and resources.

Term of Service Support to facilitates a meaningful military service

Avnei Derech [Milestones] – A three-week training program that prepares participants for the transition to civilian life, while processing their military service and utilizing the skills and experiences gained during service as valuable and forward-thinking tools for the future.

Alumni Community and Young Adults Programs

Derech HaNegev (The Way of the Negev) – A program that combines educational work throughout the Negev, community life, training, and personal development, in partnership with the Ramat Negev Regional Council.

A Pluralistic, Diverse Community of Leaders

Derech Eretz programs reach out to youth from all segments of Israeli society, fostering a group dynamic that reflects the rich diversity of the “people of Israel”, including traditional, secular, and religious Jews, new immigrants and veterans, graduates of comprehensive schools, youth villages and boarding schools, development towns, kibbutzim, moshavim, and cities. The focus is particularly on youth from peripheral areas and families with lower socio-economic backgrounds. For the vast majority of youth in this population, there was no pre-military educational framework available to them before the establishment of Derech Eretz.

Our dream is for every young person in Israel to have access to these valuable programs, enabling them to choose participation and shape their personalities and identities as they transition into adulthood.

Derech Eretz is driving profound social change and laying another cornerstone in the effort to create a more just, equal, and tolerant society in Israel.

Program Pillars

Jewish Heritage and Pluralism

Deepening participants’ knowledge of our Jewish heritage, Pluralism, and Israeli identity, while promoting mutual respect among Jews and Israelis of all backgrounds, nationalities, and denominations.

Social Integration

Providing exposure to all facets of Israeli society, breaking down the silos in which many communities within Israel reside.

Leadership Development

Providing leadership training, enhancing social responsibility, and enabling positive experiences in which participants learn how to face challenges individually and together.

Love for Eretz Yisrael

Instilling a love and sense of belonging to Eretz Yisrael.

Rise to Purpose

Derech Eretz works to educate the younger generation in order to create a unified Israeli society based on shared values, a sense of belonging, and mutual responsibility among its diverse citizens.

We emphasize in our programs the importance of creating deep dialogue, healthy conversation, and striving for shared living.

At the heart of Derech Eretz’s educational programs are:

a process of personal development
establishing identity and worldviews
the development of mental and emotional flexibility
living together with others

We aspire for every graduate and educator in Derech Eretz to be able to embrace complexity, differences, and diversity, treat others with mutual respect, and build meaningful friendships. When we succeed in fostering all of this within the ‘Derech Eretz’ programs, we can believe and hope that this way of living can also be realized in broader circles within Israeli society.

The organization was founded in memory of Shay Bernstein z"l, a close friend of the founders, Avi and Yonatan. In 2006, Shay was tragically killed during the Second Lebanon War. Shay was an exceptional individual and commander. Despite his modest presence, he was highly dominant and energetic, always adding humor to everything. Yet, he never compromised or cut corners. He was deeply devoted to his soldiers, a beloved friend and commander whose love for people and life motivated all of his actions. Avi and Yonatan chose to honor Shay in a way that would inspire and reflect his spirit, transcending the sorrow of the loss. They chose the tattoo on his arm, which became the logo of the association. Shay’s story is shared every year during the opening trek of the preparatory programs, where participants receive the traditional hat bearing the Derech Eretz logo.

Pre-Military Programs

Term of Service Support

Alumni Community

Impact

In the Numbers

Years of impact

289

This year’s graduates

1974

Alumni since 2011

Employees

Campuses

3000

Applicants for next year’s cohort