ManKind Project Israel

“There’s no other world where we would have met,” a Haredi man from Jerusalem said to a secular man from Tel Aviv. The other man replied: “I didn’t know just how much alike we are. Men are men. And we all have the same work to do.”

The conversation took place three years ago, at ManKind Project Israel’s second ever New Warrior Training Adventure (NWTA). This time it was not a surprise. A similar conversation took place at our first NWTA. This is how men heal. Sitting shoulder to shoulder. Doing our work together. Learning.

This November, 50 men from around the world will meet at an ecological farm in the center of Israel to “do our work.” What work? The work of healing. The work of becoming our best selves. The work of becoming the best fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, grandfathers, and friends we can. Men from 21 to 70 will gather again as ManKind Project Israel for our third New Warrior Training Adventure (Nov. 15-17).

Men: Is there something vital missing from your life? Do you need to let go of something that no longer serves you? Are limiting beliefs keeping you from reaching your potential? Are familiar patterns keeping you from moving forward? Do you yearn for a community of men on a mission of healing? Do you have wisdom and experience to offer a circle of men?

Men’s work is flourishing in Israel. The Times of Israel nodded in this direction with an article on the Shiva Festival. What the article missed: Men have a rich array of opportunities here.

Across Israel men are yearning for connection, healing, and growth in the company of other men. Shiva offers a wide variety of programming at its regular festivals. There are two very different men’s organizations tailored specifically to ultra-Orthodox men. Similarly, there are groups that attract primarily non-religious men. Some attract primarily Hebrew speakers; others, English speakers. There are private men’s circles meeting all over Israel. MKP is common ground for all men.

Our program is deeply experiential. We tap into the well of masculine archetypes: Warrior, Lover, Magician, and King, starting with healing Warrior energy. How? By challenging men to become more accountable to themselves and others in their lives. How? By healing themselves and the wounded little boy deep inside them. How? By taking on a mission of service. We call it an initiation into manhood. MKP is 35-year-old international brotherhood of nearly 100,000 men. We have pioneered this work from its inception, initiating men — one man at a time — into lives of integrity, accountability, and mission.

MKP Israel brings top leaders from around the world as part of our volunteer staff. This year men from Israel, across Europe, and across the USA will lead our NWTA. We’ll have about 30 staff men for our 20 participants, offering this ‘strong container’ in which men can do their work. This is to make sure participants get a full and rich experience in a safe, strong environment. Our program also includes multiple optional follow-up sessions to deepen the learning.

MKP Israel hosts circles in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Our next New Warrior Training Adventure will be November 15-17 at an organic farm near Tzomet Ramlod. We can be reached at mkp.israel@gmail.com.