Assaf Weiss of Ma’agalim addresses Maariv 2019 Leadership Conference
Speaking at the Maariv 2019 Leadership Conference, Assaf Weiss, founder and head of Ma’agalim, the national educational non-profit organization that empowers 11th and 12th grade at-risk youth, recalled the organization’s beginnings, and what it does today.
“Twenty years ago, when I was discharged from the army, it was clear that I would go into education, and one of the possibilities was teaching. My friends told me that there were enough teachers, and suggested that I do something different. We thought it would be worthwhile to create a pre-military training program (Mechina) within high schools. And here we are, 20 years later, having developed a model pre-training program within high schools.”
Weiss explained that mentors teach one hour per week and stay for an additional 5 hours per week for one-on-one sessions.
They meet students and speak with them about their future. “That’s where the bond between the mentor and the student is formed. It begins in 11th grade, and continues until he is drafted into the army.”
Ma’agalim is active throughout the country, in both the secular and religious communities. “Kids tell their personal stories to their counselors,” says Weiss, “and there is a mentor who comes and listens to him. Ma’agalim assists teens who are having difficulty with preparation for army service. We give these children options, and we have many success stories. Two months ago, I received a call from the educational supervisor for the Druze population, and we will be going there next year as well.”
This story was written in cooperation with Ma’agalim, an educational non-profit organization that empowers 11th and 12th grade at-risk youth.