EXPLORE
for a week or a month
The Conservative Yeshiva Summer Program is divided into two 3-week (14-day) sessions in which you can build a schedule from a menu of program offerings, including dynamic Jewish text study, eye-opening walking tours of Jerusalem, immersive Hebrew ulpan, and meaningful volunteer work.
Regardless of what you choose, all summer students are able to participate in special yeshiva programming and events including: morning prayers at the Egalitarian Kotel, community meals, and guest speakers.
Who can do it and how does it work?
- The Summer Program is open to individuals ages 19+ from all different backgrounds and Hebrew levels.
- Hebrew ulpan is immersive, which means that it is taught in Hebrew.
- The language of instruction for the Torah-study classes is English; Hebrew knowledge is helpful but not required.
- Except for those participating in the Keilim College Track, students find their own accommodations, usually within walking distance of the yeshiva.
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.
When they are finalized, the schedules for Session 1 and Session 2 will be visible 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). 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, 2020 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.
Session 1 – Sunday, June 21 to Wednesday, July 8 (14 days of class)
Full-Day: $1100
- Morning Ulpan + Afternoon Torah Study
- Morning Ulpan + Afternoon Volunteering
- Morning Volunteering + Afternoon Torah Study
Half-Day: $675
- Morning Ulpan
- Afternoon Torah Study
Part-Time: $450
- Torah Study on Sunday, Tuesday, & Thursday
Session 2 – Monday, July 13 to Wednesday, July 29 (13 days of class)
Full-Day: $1050
- Morning Ulpan + Afternoon Torah Study
- Morning Ulpan + Afternoon Volunteering
- Morning Volunteering + Afternoon Torah Study
Half-Day:
- Morning Ulpan – $675 (with slightly longer classes, same instructional time as 14-day class)
- Afternoon Torah Study – $625
Part-Time: $395
- Torah Study on Sunday, Tuesday, & Thursday
Discounts
- 20% early-bird discount for those who register and pay by March 31.
- 10% early-bird discount for those who register and pay by April 30.
- 20% off the lower-prived session for participants who register for both sessions.
- 30% discount for residents of Israel.
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 during Session 1.
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.
We are excited that for the second year we will be offering an amazing opportunity for non-clergy kehila professionals (office staff, religious school teachers, etc.) to participate in the Conservative Yeshiva’s Summer Program, an immersive study experience in Jerusalem that inspires, connects, builds confidence, and returns professionals to their kehilot with new ideas and resources to enrich their communities.
With the support of United Synagogue, the CY provides a tuition waiver for all kehila professionals whose kehilot commit, in writing, to covering at least an equal amount of their staff member’s travel and accommodation costs. (The staff member will be responsible for the balance.)
- Professionals from USCJ-affiliated Kehilot are eligible to receive a waiver equal to 100% of tuition.
- Professionals from other kehilot are eligible to receive a waiver equal to 60% of tuition.
Our highly-regarded morning Hebrew Ulpan features five levels (Aleph, Aleph+, Bet, Gimmel-Dalet, and Heh-Vav) that can accommodate everyone from absolute beginners to advanced Hebrew speakers. The stimulating and engrossing afternoon Beit Midrash (hall of Torah Study) program features classes in Talmud, Jewish Thought, Bible, and Jewish Law, opportunities to develop greater prayer literacy/fluency, and special speakers and walking tours.
NOTE – The tuition waiver covers only the morning Hebrew Ulpan and/or afternoon Beit Midrash program. Those who want Skilled Volunteers for Israel to arrange for them a morning or afternoon volunteer placement will be need to pay a separate discounted fee of $300.