Situated on the hilltops of the Judean desert, the town of Alon is one of the unique places in Israel where observant and non-observant Jews decided, through ideology, to establish a community together. The local rabbi even put together a special prayer book for the high holidays which combines both Ashkenazic and Sephardic styles and is aimed at connecting everyone to the prayers.
In addition to the community itself, people from all parts of Israeli society meet and mingle at Ein Prat - The Israeli Academy for Leadership, which is located in Alon. The academy has a number of educational programs. The Pre-military program prepares its participants for the army with in-depth studies in order to understand Israeli, Jewish, and western cultures. The students tour the country to connect with the land. They even learn navigation, survival techniques and hiking.
The students volunteer for social tasks once a week, and in addition to the regular studies they undergo courses to prepare them for army service, both physically and psychologically. The flagship program of the academy is the post-Army program. While many institutes in Israel offer educational seminars before army service, Ein Prat sees the post-army pre-life period as an important time for an internal self seeking process.
The academy now plans to let Jews from outside of Israel experience the process that the students go through at Ein Prat. Next year there will be an “Overseas Program” directed by Rabbi Avi Poupko.
Meanwhile, in a biblical-style tent, adjacent to Alon, a group of tourists come for a biblical-style lunch. "Genesis Land", near the entrance to Alon, is a site that allows visitors to experience life as it was in biblical times. Actors and waiters wearing biblical garments greet the visitors who sit down to eat and hear a story reenacting the story of Abraham, our Forefather. Genesis Land also offers activities and creative workshops which recreate the Patriarchs' way of life.