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Shnat Hachshara' (×©× ×ª הכשרה) translates literally from Hebrew to 'a year of development.' It's a journey of personal growth and exploration, during which participants acquire a diverse set of life skills, self-awareness, and the ability to navigate life with increased independence. Shnat is not only an individual experience but also a collective endeavor, involving active participation and communal living within a group. This highlights that the processes of independence, personal growth, and discovery are connected and supported by fellow group members and the guidance of the Kvutza's madrichim*ot (guides).
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Primarily, Shnat is a program designed to empower participants to consciously decide how they wish to live the values of Hashomer Hatzair in their adult lives. Beyond acquiring essential life skills — such as fostering critical thought, gaining insights into Israeli politics, and Judaism, functioning effectively in groups, and cultivating personal autonomy—Shnat provides a platform for exploring the next steps in life.
Furthermore, as a subsequent phase, Shnat aims to equip participants with the skills and tools needed to assume leadership roles within their Kenim and communities upon their return from Israel.
What is Shnat Hachshara?​
SHNAT BASICS
Part of the mission of Hashomer Hatzair is to help facilitate intimate, caring, thoughtful collectives of people who work to better one another and the world at large. Throughout the entire program, from part to part, they will always have this basic kwutza (group) as their primary community. In addition, the program is synchronized such that the entire HH World Movement will be on the same program (although often in separate groups). This will give our Shomrim the chance to meet people like them, in a similar stage in life, leading the very same movement in Israel, Canada, Italy, Bulgaria, Brazil, and so on. Our Shnat participants will always be working alongside Israelis from various communities, creating relationships and partnerships.
Hashomer Hatzair practices democratic, alternative education, where learning takes place in an environment that takes into account the needs of all of the participants. They learn in a fun, engaging, and critical way. They learn tools they need in order to formulate their own opinions and worldviews. A staple of this type of education is a madrich/a (guide). A madrich/a is a unique synthesis of a teacher, a friend, an older sibling, a caretaker, and a guide. During the program, the kvutza will have madrichim from the Israeli movement, as well as remain in contact with their madrichim from back home (who will be building the educational plan together with the Israelis, preparing the kvutza for its departure, and eagerly awaiting their return).
It is no secret that Hashomer Hatzair is a youth movement with a historical legacy, and a particular worldview. It is important to recognize that this is very much a Hashomer Hatzair program, not a Birthright or any number of other programs who merely send participants to Israel to soak up whatever they can. Hashomer Hatzair’s values – from communal living to progressive Zionism – are very much a part of the itinerary of the program. This is not to say that all the participants need to agree with all facets of Hashomer Hatzair ideology (in fact, that would probably be impossible, boring, and generally undesirable), but it is important that they be aware of what type of program they are joining, as it will be guided by certain principles.