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The Year-in-Israel Program is mandatory for all first-year rabbinical students. Matriculation into the Year-in-Israel Program is conditioned upon passing a Hebrew language competency examination, demonstrating the equivalent of at least one year of college-level Hebrew. The program is an eleven-month program beginning in late June and culminating in May of the following year.
Priorities
- An understanding of the structure of the Hebrew language which will serve our students in mediating between the
sources of Judaism and the North American Jewish community.
- An encounter with Israel which leaves the students informed, enthused, and energized about the challenges of statehood
and the implications of peoplehood.
- The acquisition of basic textual skills which allows the successful continuation of studies in the U.S.
- An exploration of the students' religious and spiritual identities, with special emphasis on Reform Judaism.
- The provision of professional skills, and the encouragement of a self-consciousness as future Jewish professionals.
Orientation
The Year-in-Israel Program includes a number of orientation sessions
and seminars at the beginning of the academic year and thereafter
throughout the course of study. Among the topics examined are: (a)
a basic orientation to Jerusalem past and present, (b) an introduction
to modern Israel, (c) a discussion of the role of Reform Judaism,
and (d) an examination of the roles of Jewish professionals within
the community.
Academics
Students are expected to spend a minimum of 22 credit hours of
classroom study, divided between core courses (14 credits) and specialized
courses (6 credits) and a weekly First Year Seminar (2 credits).
| Core
Courses |
|
|
| |
Modern
Hebrew |
8
credits |
|
| |
Classical
Grammar |
2
credits |
|
| |
Bible
I (Introduction) |
2
credits |
|
| |
Liturgy |
2
credits |
|
| |
|
|
|
| Specialized
Courses |
|
|
| Students
are required
to study courses in each of the following areas of Study (2
credits each): |
| |
Bible
II |
|
|
| |
Land
and People of Israel |
|
|
| |
Rabbinic
Literature
|
|
|
First Year Seminar: "Concepts in Jewish Living"
For one day a week, Israel is the classroom, as students explore
aspects of Judaism and the Jewish State. Some days studies take
place on campus, and many others there are site visits of various
kinds. Learning techniques include text study sessions, film, independent
research, and more. Two of the extended field study trips are part
of the wider course. Requirements include two research papers and
active participation. Sessions tend to run from 8:30 a.m. until
4:00 p.m. throughout the year. Subjects include Religion and State,
Life Cycle, and Zionism.
|
Other
Requirement
|
| |
*Professional
weekly forums |
| |
*Community
service project |
| |
*Shabbat
morning services at the Murstein Synagogue at least once a month |
| |
*Field
study trips |
| |
|
| Optional |
| Students
are also encouraged to participate in a range of additional
activities and learning opportunities including: |
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*Daily
Mincha prayer services |
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*Thursday
morning minyan |
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*Monday
morning minyan |
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*Visits
to Progressive congregations throughout the country |
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*Weekly
Torah portion study sessions (Spring semester) |
Hebrew Study
Matriculation into the Year-in-Israel Program is conditioned upon passing a Hebrew language competency examination, demonstrating the equivalent of at least one year of college-level Hebrew. A priority of the program is to give students an understanding of the structure of the language. Students are required to take 8 credits of Modern Hebrew, as well as 2 credits of Classical Grammar while they are in Israel.
Sample Core Curriculum
Summer
Modern Hebrew Ulpan
Fall and Spring Semesters
Modern Hebrew Language
Modern Hebrew Literature
Biblical Grammar
Mishnah
Midrash
Liturgy
Rashi
Israel Studies Seminar
Jewish Practice and Tradition
Summer*
URJ Camp/Israel staff experience
*Summer programs are not mandatory. The summer may also be for
an independent study class or for personal study.
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