The Conservative Yeshiva Summer Hebrew Ulpan, in Jerusalem, Israel, is an opportunity to study Hebrew intensively for a short period of time in a small, congenial class with students of all ages from around the world. The top-notch Hebrew Ulpan teachers, motivated fellow students, and location in the center of Jerusalem, Israel, combine to make this a premier Hebrew language experience.

Five levels of modern Hebrew study are offered, including reading, writing, speaking, grammar, and Israeli culture.

Summer Hebrew Ulpan Director, Nitza Shalitin

Nitza has taught Hebrew to overseas students at the Hebrew University One Year Program, the Melton Educators Program and Mechina program, and at Hebrew Union College, all in Jerusalem, Israel. She teaches Hebrew and coordinates the Conservative Yeshiva’s Ulpan programs.

Study at the Conservative Yeshiva focuses on traditional texts such as Talmud, Tanach (Bible), and Midrash, as well as Jewish philosophy and prayer. Learning is conducted in the traditional yeshiva method of pair learning (chevruta) and seminar-style classes (shiur) with an openness to modern scholarship and students’ interests. Chevruta study is an age-old method of Jewish text study in which two students learn a text together. It gives students an opportunity to explore and struggle with the text as they learn from each other and often creates a unique bond between them. During shiur, teachers lead students through a discussion of the prepared text. Students raise questions and difficulties; teachers explain these difficult areas and offer background, skills and methodology.

The Beit Midrash, which means “House of Learning,” is the focal point of the Conservative Yeshiva. In it, surrounded by reference books and each other, students and faculty learn. The buzz of the Beit Midrash is a unique, stimulating sound.

Though most of the texts will be encountered in their original language (Hebrew and Aramaic), English is the language of instruction, and students will have access to English translation of text when needed.

You can see the weekly schedules of Session 1 and Session 2 in their own tabs on this web page.

Enhance your studies at the Conservative Yeshiva through “Volunteer and Study,” immersing yourself in Israeli society by committing to at least 3 half-days of volunteering each week of your studies (a minimum of 9 times).

Thanks to our partners at Skilled Volunteers for Israel (SVFI) Summer Program students are able to volunteer in the morning (and do Torah study in the afternoon) or in the afternoon (and do Hebrew ulpan in the morning). Those with the stamina can even do Hebrew ulpan in the morning, learn Torah two afternoons, and volunteer three afternoons! SVFI creates unforgettable volunteer opportunities, matching you and your skills and interests to local partner organizations and institutions. SVFI works with you, orienting, guiding, and support you, to make the best possible ‘match’ assuring your personal fulfillment as well as making a significant contribution at your volunteer placement. You may find yourself in neighborhoods unknown to the casual visitor or student, interacting with segments of Jerusalem’s population you never would meet on your own, tackling issues that may never have passed your radar screen, all while generously giving of yourself and applying Jewish values.

Typically, volunteers work in the following areas:

• Caring for Community – Put Your Hands On Israel (Seniors & Special Needs)
• Education – Get a taste of Israel’s Public School System as you converse and play games in English with individuals or small groups of students
• Israeli Civil Society – Work in Israeli Non-Profit Organizations

We encourage early registration for those wishing to volunteer, so that SVFI has sufficient time to work with you on your placement. A current Criminal Reference clearance valid through September 1, 2019 is required. SVFI can assist U.S. citizens/residents in obtaining this no later than 6 weeks prior to the start date of the program.

The Conservative Yeshiva, with the generous support of the Masorti Movement in the UK and the Conservative Movement in North America, is delighted to offer a special Keilim Intensive Text-Study Track for college students. What is new and exciting is that Keilim, which has brought many college students from the UK over the last few years, will be open to an additional 10 college students from North America as well. All participants receive FREE tuition and housing.

Keilim participants will take one of two intensive Talmud classes in the mornings, and then choose from the array of Jewish studies classes offered in the afternoon as part of the general Conservative Yeshiva Summer Program. These classes include Rabbinic Literature, Jewish Thought, Halakha, and Tanakh.

The Conservative Yeshiva is proud again to offer, in partnership with the European Academy for Jewish Liturgy (EAJL), a special track for those who wish to improve both their skills and their personal spiritual experience as leaders of Jewish prayer.

EAJL concentrates on the shaliach tsibbur’s (prayer leader’s) relationship with God, community and liturgical text through the leadership of davening. There is far more to leading effective services than merely ‘how does it go’ or song-leading! To see it like this is missing the point. The shaliach tsibbur is the inspirer. On the principle that tefilah is ‘caught’ and not ‘taught’, the sincerity of the shaliach tsibbur is essential as well as his/her kavanah (intention) and heightened awareness as the gatherer of Jewish souls.

In the 2017 Conservative Yeshiva Summer Program we concentrated on teaching Weekday and Shabbat nusakh. This year, at the request of some of our students, we are offering a course on aspects of Yamim Nora’im.

With two teachers available from EAJL, the last 2-hour block of the day can include coaching in other services, such as Shabbat or Weekday tefilah, if students request them.

Instructors:

Chazan Jaclyn Chernett is a founding member of Kol Nefesh Masorti, as well as a founder of Masorti Judaism in the UK, and the first woman in the UK to be ordained as a Chazan. A love of Jewish teaching and its expression through the music of the liturgy has been Jacky’s passion over many years, and led her on an inspiring Jewish journey of learning and teaching. Jacky received an MPhil in Ethnomusicology in Biblical Chant before embarking on her studies toward ordination at the New York Academy for Jewish Religion. She received her semichah as a chazan in 2006. At Kol Nefesh, Chazan Jacky leads services, teaches lay leaders, and continues to innovate and seek out new modes of prayer.

Chazan Jalda Rebling was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, and moved to East Berlin at the age of 2. Cantor Jalda grew up in a musical familiy: her mother, Lin Jaldati, was a famous interpreter of Yiddish songs. Her father, a pianist, conducted the Academy of Music. Jalda was ordained as a cantor in January 2007 by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Schalomi, Rabbi Marcia Prager and Hazzan Jack Kessler of the Jewish Renewal Movement. She is a member of OHALAH, an international and trans-denominational union of rabbis and cantors. She gives workshops in Jewish congregations and chavuroth all over Germany as well as in the USA, Holland, Norway, and Sweden. She was the first Jewish female cantor who, together with Rabbi Lynn Feinberg, led Shabbat Services and read the Torah in public in the Norwegian synagogue of Trondheim. In 2007 she was the first woman to lead High Holiday Services in Lund, Sweden. Since then she has officiated there every year on Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur.