The Ayalim Association was founded in 2002 by a group of young entrepreneurs who had just finished their army service. Their goal was to harness the talents, energy and idealism of the best and brightest young Israeli men and women to build student entrepreneur villages from the ground up. These unique communities provide a living lab for nurturing talent, fostering entrepreneurship, engaging in social justice while strengthening the communities in the Negev and Galilee regions.

Now, for the first time, this program that had been open only to elite of Israel’s young men and women, is accepting post college, Jewish young adults from around the world. You will live and work with young Israeli entrepreneurs in our student villages and share your passion for social and business entrepreneurship. Together, you will participate in our exciting array of projects (listed below) and learn how to initiate and develop your own projects.

The official language is English. However, you will have ample opportunity to learn Hebrew, both in Ulpan (crash course in Hebrew) and through interacting with Israeli students and the local Israeli population.

You will start the program with an intensive Ulpan and an entrepreneurship course. Then, you will focus on practical hands-on experience and work as an entrepreneur on individual and group projects while receiving constant mentoring and guidance.

Is it for me?

There are some easy ways to tell: Are you willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. This is not about heart-warming theories that you observe from the distance. The basic idea is – if you can dream it, you can do it.

The Negev and Galilee regions of Israel are in many ways like the last frontier. These communities have a great need and very much embrace the innovative solutions that Ayalim produces. Since it’s founding, Ayalim has touched the lives of 20,000 kids – many from underprivileged or at risk backgrounds.

The idea is that when you get back home, you bring a whole new set of talents and ideals with you. These ideas can be transplanted anywhere and will be an integral part of who you are. You will not only have honed the skill of entrepreneurial thinking, you will be able to offer innovative and actionable plans to your local Jewish community and to the world at large. If you want to expand your horizons in this way, keep reading – here is a rundown of the kinds of projects that are currently up and running. As we mentioned, you can create your own project as well.

The array of entrepreneurial-social activities includes: working with kids, teens and the elderly in community centres, taking part in “Big Brother” programs, volunteering in Bedouin schools, and designing educational programs and culture clubs – among others.

The array of entrepreneurial-building projects include establishing ecological hothouses in schools, participating in ecological building projects, and establishing public gardens in development towns.

Ayalim has a tremendous impact on communities of the south and the North. There is a significant decline in crime and delinquency which ultimately affects the life choices of the local 18 year-olds. Instead of dropping out or dodging compulsory army service, Ayalim has increased the number of those joining the army – where young adults not only learn valuable lessons in discipline, they have an opportunity to learn vocational skills.