Shvilim is a unique 10-month leadership program owned by the Jewish Community in Oslo (DMT), which combines immersive Israel experience, academic studies, and international travels. The program brings together young adults from diverse backgrounds across Europe, Israel, North America, and beyond. At the Upper Galilee Leadership Academy and Kol Ami, Shvilim constitutes a unique branch which provides an exceptional journey designed to inspire young Jews to live meaningful and engaged lives.
Through living, learning, and engaging, participants gain the skills and confidence to navigate complexity, champion meaningful dialogue, stand up against hatred, and lead with clarity and purpose. Shvilim celebrates diversity and encourages each participant to explore their own unique Jewish identity while connecting deeply with others.
The Shvilim program was founded in 2015 by the Jewish Community of Oslo (DMT), initially as a Scandinavian initiative. As the program expanded and became international, key partnerships were established to ensure its quality and stability.
The Israel experience is made possible through our collaboration with the Upper Galilee Leadership Academy, which also hosts the program. For the academic component, DMT has a direct partnership with the University of Oslo. Additionally, the program collaborates with other leading organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the US and various Jewish communities throughout Europe, to enrich the program with diverse perspectives and real-world experiences.
The Upper Galilee Leadership Academy (Mechinat Galil Elyon) was founded in 1998 with the spirit of democracy and pioneering and the mission of shaping identity and cultivating young leaders with values. Who are able to influence and are committed to the Jewish people and the Israeli society. The Academy enforces taking responsibility and leading while being caring and sensitive to one’s surroundings for a better future.
Galil Elyon fosters a strong connection to Israeli, Jewish, and Zionist heritage. Our leaders search for the greater impact that they can have within the Israeli society.
The Mechina has 5 groups throughout the Galilee (including a six-month program for youth from all over the world). There are a total of 300 participants a year and 2,500 alumni.
Faced with endless opportunities to better yourself and others, the participant learns to value leadership. Through group problems, new experiences, and constant responsibility, the Mechina achieves this.
Learning new ideas and skills through the variety of trips, presenters, and seminars in the mechina, including lectures made by fellow participants.
Creating meaningful experiences by volunteering in different places inside the kibbutz and outside; learning kindness, how to help others and create a better future for people all around Israel.
To know the land itself, the rich history that it has experienced and to give back to the land that the Mechina calls home.
Through many aspects such as Judaism, Leadership, personal values, and day to day experiences, exploring your own identity is a natural process of the Mechina, but is also emphasized.
Forging a stable alliance with the kibbutz the Mechina is situated in, and to further share the experience of a kibbutz life, with all of it’s communal values and togetherness.
