What Programs Does Habonim Dror North America Offer?

Habonim Dror North America runs four main types of programming: six summer camps (מחנות קיץ) across Canada and the United States, an Israel summer program called MBI, a gap-year program in Israel called Workshop, and year-round local activities known as Eizorim/Kenim. All of it is built on the organization's pillars of Progressive Labor Zionism, Judaism, Socialism, Social Justice, and Hagshama (actualization of values). Which program fits you depends mainly on age and how much time you want to commit.

Summer camps (מחנות קיץ)

The organization operates six summer camps across Canada and the United States. These are the entry point for most participants and the base of the movement's youth programming.

Best for: Younger participants looking for a first immersive experience in a Habonim Dror setting, and families seeking a camp affiliated with the movement's values.

What to expect: A camp environment shaped by the five pillars rather than a general-interest summer camp. Because the camps are spread across both countries, the practical question is usually which camp serves your region.

Israel summer program (MBI)

MBI is the movement's summer program in Israel.

Best for: Participants who want an Israel experience during the summer rather than a full gap year, and who want it framed through Progressive Labor Zionism and Hagshama.

What to expect: A summer-length program based in Israel. It sits between the camp experience and the longer Workshop program in terms of commitment.

Gap-year program in Israel (Workshop)

Workshop is the gap-year program in Israel.

Best for: Participants who have finished high school and want a full year in Israel before or instead of going straight to university or work.

What to expect: The longest and most intensive of the Israel-based options, and the one most directly tied to the idea of Hagshama — putting values into practice over an extended period.

Year-round local activities (Eizorim/Kenim)

Beyond camps and Israel programs, Habonim Dror runs year-round activities in many areas of North America, called Eizorim/Kenim.

Best for: People who want ongoing involvement close to home rather than a single summer or year abroad, including those who are not currently able to travel.

What to expect: Local, recurring programming. Availability depends on whether an Eizor or Ken is active in your area.

Comparing the options

How to choose

• If you want the shortest, most local commitment, start with an Eizor or Ken near you.
• If you want an immersive summer in North America, look at the six camps and pick the one serving your region.
• If you want Israel but only for a summer, MBI is the match.
• If you want Israel for a full year after high school, Workshop is the match.

The through-line across all four is the same set of pillars — Progressive Labor Zionism, Judaism, Socialism, Social Justice, and Hagshama — so the decision is mostly about format, location, and length rather than a different ideological framework.