Michael Olshin: Reimagining the Gap Year in Israel [Israel & Diaspora II 2/4]

Michael Olshin: Reimagining the Gap Year in Israel [Israel & Diaspora II 2/4]

From 18Forty Podcast by 18Forty

April 28, 2026 · 1h 14m

About this episode

Michael Olshin discusses the purpose and reimagining of the gap year in Israel.

This episode is sponsored by Brett and Susan Nadritch, who support creative initiatives that strengthen our love for and connection to the People and Land of Israel, in honor of all the lone soldiers in the most recent Hesder draft, the class of Nisan 5786. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Michael Olshin, educational director of Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Jerusalem, about the purpose of the gap year in Israel. In this episode we discuss: —What should our hopes and expectations be for the gap year in Israel? —How can we improve students’ Hebrew proficiency? —Is it time to reimagine what the gap year in Israel could be, with a focus on contributing to the State of Israel in addition to Torah learning? Tune in to hear a conversation about our responsibility to create a Yiddishkeit that touches the lives of the wider world. Interview begins at 14:40. Rabbi Michael Olshin is the Educational Director of Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Jerusalem, bringing over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience from roles at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim, Yeshivat Shaalvim, Bet Midrash L'Torah, and youth programs including NCSY, NCSY Kollel, and Camp Mesorah. He also serves as an…

People in this episode

Guest: Michael Olshin

Topics covered

  • gap year in Israel
  • Hebrew proficiency
  • Torah learning
  • contribution to Israel
  • Yiddishkeit

Keywords

  • gap year
  • Israel
  • Hebrew
  • Torah
  • education
  • Yiddishkeit
  • lone soldiers

Sponsors

Brett and Susan Nadritch

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yeshivat Torat Shraga

Places: Israel, Bet Shemesh, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Austria, Ukraine

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