From L-R: Mechinot teens Nadav, Ella Meidan, Koren Hagay-Nevel, Shay Lerner and Yiftach Kovatch. Courtesy: Gili Meidan

By Deborah Fuchs

This year marked something special for Austin’s chapter of the Israeli Scouts, known as Tzofim, a year of growth in numbers and meaningful steps forward in leadership and Jewish connection.

Tzofim is a youth movement that brings together Israeli-American teens to learn, lead, and connect to their identity. A big part of the program’s success is the teen leadership group, the older scouts who serve as counselors and role models. Starting in ninth grade, they participate in a training program that teaches them how to guide, support, and inspire the younger members. By tenth grade, they step fully into their roles, leading activities, building connections, and shaping the chapter’s culture.

This leadership structure helps the program thrive and teaches values like responsibility, teamwork, Jewish identity, and a strong connection to Israel.

This year, those values came to life in a powerful way. Five teens from the leadership group have chosen to spend next year in Israel in gap-year programs that blend learning, volunteering, leadership training, and community living. Known as Mechinot, these programs often become life-changing experiences for young people looking to deepen their connection to Israel and themselves.

Ella Meidan will attend Mechinat Be’eri in Kannot. “The thing that drew me to that specific one is its focus on volunteering and community service,” she said. “Being part of the Scouts made service a huge part of my life, and this program will help me continue that.” Afterward, she plans to attend Boston University to study pre-med.

For Yiftach Kovatch, the decision was deeply tied to his experience at Tzofim. “If I had never joined, I probably wouldn’t even know what a Mechina is,” he said. “Through this group I got so much closer to Israeli culture and heritage. I felt like I had to take this opportunity.” He is heading to Galil Elyon, drawn to its travel-based approach and its mix of Israeli and international students. After the year, he hopes to return to Texas to study engineering at UT or Texas A&M.

Koren Hagay-Nevel is also attending Galil Elyon, at Kibbutz Afikim. “My role as a counselor made me realize how much I can impact others,” he said. “This experience will help me keep growing as a leader.” During the year, he plans to decide whether to return to the U.S. for college or join the IDF as a lone soldier.

Shay Lerner will be part of Mechinat Rabin in Haifa. She was drawn to its focus on political education, community work, and the close-knit group dynamic. “Being part of the Scouts every week helped me feel more connected to my Israeli heritage,” she said. “I didn’t want that connection to fade just because I’m graduating. This program gives me a way to keep it strong.” After her year in Israel, Shay plans to return to the U.S. for college, where she intends to major in business.

For all of them, this next step feels like a natural continuation of their journey. At a time when the Jewish community is facing fear and uncertainty, both in Israel and in the U.S., these teens are choosing to grow, to lead, and to stay connected to their values, to Israel, and to the future of Jewish life.

Their journey is a source of pride not only for their families, but for the entire Austin Jewish community that has helped nurture and support them along the way.