There is an entity called the "Joint Council of Mechinot".
It's not just bureaucracy. These are people who, through major efforts,
by tooth and nail, maintain this space of togetherness.
There is a huge spectrum of pre-military academies, and within the academies themselves,
you see a mosaic of Israeli society.
It knows how to make space for internal disputes,
but also how to make tough decisions and keep people united:
secular, religious, right-wing or left-wing,
diverse people coming from all parts of our society and from all communities.
Ultimately, what unites us is stronger than what divides us.
We now understand that fulfilling the vision of the academies doesn't end when
our participants graduate from the academy, but when the alumni reach influential positions
wherever Israeli society is in need of reform.
For me, in one word, the academy means family.
I was really nervous that there would be a lot of things
I wouldn't be able to take part in.
The "Shibolim" program opened the door to the academy for me.
For me, it was also a great opportunity
to meet and connect with my Jewish brethren.
And I guess that's what I need, for people not to give up on me, for someone to say:
"We aren't giving up on you, regardless of what you do."
They call it a pre-military academy.
In hindsight, I'd say that had I not done it,
I don't know where I'd be today.
We know that any student that doesn't come to us
is a huge loss for all of Israeli society.
Producing mature, strong leadership that creates real change.
Many more challenges and tasks await us
and our graduates.