What is Na’ale?
Na’ale is a unique educational program designed for Jewish teenagers from around the world. Participants come to Israel without their parents for three to four years to complete their high school education and earn an Israeli matriculation certificate. Since its inception, over 16,000 Jewish teenagers from dozens of countries have participated in Na’ale.
Upon arrival, students are integrated into existing educational frameworks throughout Israel, spanning all educational streams, based on their parents’ preferences. They experience Israeli life, connect with cultural and heritage values, strengthen their Jewish identity, and deepen their sense of belonging.
At the end of the program, they graduate with a high-quality matriculation certificate, enabling full integration into Israeli society.
How It All Began
In 1992, the Government of Israel launched Na’ale, entrusting its implementation to the Association for Educational Advancement in Jerusalem. The program aimed to fulfill a Zionist vision of encouraging Jewish families from the former Soviet Union to immigrate to Israel. The idea was to establish high school programs for teenagers, positioning them as pioneers for their families’ subsequent immigration.
This vision became a reality, and each year, hundreds of new students from the former Soviet Union joined Na’ale with full funding from the Ministry of Education and, in certain years, the Jewish Agency.
A decade into its operation, the government transitioned Na’ale from a “pilot project” to a permanent national program. The program was opened to students worldwide under the same conditions. By 2017, marking its 25th year, Na’ale had established itself as a recognized and prestigious program within the Israeli education system and Jewish communities worldwide.
Na’ale Administration: Comprehensive Support
To ensure the well-being and success of Na’ale participants, a dedicated administration accompanies the students throughout their journey, focusing on their emotional, academic, and physical needs.
Psychological Support
- A clinical unit oversees student selection abroad, ensures mental health in Israel, and supports boarding school staff.
- Professional psychologists fluent in the students’ native languages provide tailored care and understand their cultural backgrounds.
Educational and Social Support
- Personal conversations, group activities, and informal educational programming (especially during holidays) are conducted in the students’ mother tongues.
- Special core programs address gaps in knowledge for students who did not grow up in Israel.
Graduate Support
- Guidance begins in 12th grade and continues through military or national service.
Academic Support
- Individual and class-level monitoring with targeted interventions for learning difficulties.
Well-Being Support
- Supervision of living conditions and ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of students.
Na’ale Achievements
- Over 90% of Na’ale graduates become Israeli citizens and enlist in the IDF.
- 85% of graduates earn a full matriculation certificate.
- Nearly 50% of graduates’ parents immigrate to Israel following their children.
- Thousands of Na’ale alumni contribute to all sectors of Israeli society and industry.
