Machon L'Madrichei Chutz La'Aretz

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The Machon L'Madrichei Chutz La'Aretz or Institute for Leaders from Abroad is a program that is the largest MASA funded program, a program were young adults from all over the world can come away to Israel on a long-term program and study.

The Machon was founded in 1946, on the initiative of the World Zionist Organization, with the aim of extending and broadening the training of graduates of Zionist Youth Movements from aboard, in light of the important national tasks facing educators- encouraging immigration to Israel and settling the land, which were the principle goals of the Zionist movement.

Since then, more the 12,000 graduates have passed through the gates of the Machon. Young men and women from South America and Argentina, from Mexico and the United States, from North African countries in the 1950's and in recent years from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, have all been part of the Machon's family

The contribution of our graduates can be still felt today in the leadership ranks of the Jewish communities, in the top professional ranks of Zionist Jewish education, and in areas of the Israeli public life. Almost one third of the Machon's graduates immigrate to Israel over the years, and have integrated at every level of society, making a significant contribution to the development of Israel as a Jewish, democratic state. The vision of the Machon is to see its graduates become agents of change in their communities and in Israel.

[edit] Alumni

Fulfilling this vision of pro-Israel activism, many Machon alumni have become prominent Zionist voices around the world. In the UK, alumnus Samuel Green spreads his pro-Israel message through Zionist rap and on the airwaves of CUR1350 radio at Cambridge University. Danny Cohen of Northwestern University uses his Machon-learned skills to organize youth through the Association of Jewish Sixthformers (AJ6). Dr. Moises Salinas, 1986 Alumnus of the Machon and professor of psychology, is founder of the Greater Hartford American Zionist Movement and winner of the 2004 Herzl Award.

Today the Machon comprise four active divisions: