YOUR YEAR. YOUR CHOICE.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Jerusalem
Spend Semester 1 in Jerusalem — It’s where history is everywhere, but so is good food, good people, and that feeling that something meaningful is always just around the corner.
2. Zman Yachad
Zman Yachad — meaning "time together" — is the special few weeks between the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem semesters.
3. Tel Aviv
Then spend Semester 2 in Tel Aviv — where the pace picks up, the beach is never far, and the energy is contagious. It’s a city that’s full of life: music spilling out of cafes, spontaneous adventures, late nights, early-morning dips in the sea.
4. Add Ons
There are also some opportunities for extra’s throughout the year.
Yom Tnuah!
These are weekly excursions facilitated by Year Course staff that take place all over the country. From hidden hikes to local landmarks these places off the beaten track will allow an insight into the life of an Israeli citizen, stepping your Israel experience up from Tour. See below for some examples.
* 1. Jerusalem
* 1. Jerusalem
Jerusalem is an educational semester in partnership with the Machon Institute. Students have access to a wide variety of courses meant to engage them in Jewish and Israeli topics, with a special emphasis on getting out into Jerusalem to meet the different communities, cultures, and religious streams that call the city home.
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There are three types of classes at the Machon Institute:
Core Courses
This type of class offers participants a solid foundation of knowledge about Israeli and Jewish history. They deep dive into universal topics that are suitable for anyone, regardless of whether participants attended Jewish schooling. Year Course's core courses offer a comprehensive education in topics related to Israeli history and society, Jewish heritage and thought. Our core courses include:
History of Zionism
Jewish Thought and Practice
The Jewish People
Electives
These additional courses allow participants to broaden their knowledge in areas of Jewish and Israeli history. Participants can choose between several electives that are available. Some past electives include:
Jerusalem City of Faith
Israel and Middle East Politics
Leadership in Action
LaOmek (Practicals)
These range from practical courses featuring site visits, special lectures and guest speakers. Participants will have siyurim (trips) regularly during their time in Jerusalem.
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A one week Poland trip is included during the Jerusalem semester. This is a special opportunity to reconnect with your heritage whilst you are taking this year to delve into your Jewish identity.
2. ZMAN YACHAD *
2. ZMAN YACHAD *
Zman Yachad (between semesters) is when the whole Year Course community comes together, building friendships and a real sense of belonging. From electives to global trips, army volunteering to hiking the Eilat mountains, it’s a chance to experience Israel in new and unforgettable ways.
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Participants will remain in their accommodation from the first semester, and they will have several 1 week options, some mandatory and some optional.
These could be a range of things from the list below:
Sarel – Volunteering at an army base and understanding more about the IDF
Kibbutz Ketura – agricultural and environmental workshops
Hiking and camping in the Eilat Mountains
Educational electives in different sectors of Israeli society
Orientation activities for the new semester in Jerusalem
3. TEL AVIV *
3. TEL AVIV *
During this semester, participants will pick between the internship/volunteering track, the Magen David Adom Track and the Marva IDF Track. Alongside this they will have Ulpan (Hebrew lessons) twice a week, a weekly day siyur (trip) somewhere in Israel learning and exploring, and time in small groups reflecting and framing the week.
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During this semester, participants will pick a track:
Internship/Volunteering Track
Participants can engage in hands-on experiences within diverse industries, ranging from technology and entrepreneurship to arts and culture. This experience offers practical skills while fostering cultural exchange and networking. This is a brilliant track for work experience on a CV and finding out what you are interested in. Participants will spend 3 and ½ days at their internship/volunteering with the other ½ day in Jewish informal education electives and the other day on a Siyur. Our Year Course team will work with you to help secure the right internship/volunteer placement for you, with all our connections, but It's important to highlight that securing placements entails preliminary interviews and skills assessments, and the placement itself is not guaranteed.
Magen David Adom (Medical) Track
This is an educational and hands-on track on the ground through training and volunteering with MAGEN DAVID ADOM (MDA). Participants will be considered full members of an MDA ambulance team after 10 days intensive training and 2 exams (practical and theory) passed. Participants will be a qualified first aid responder and then continue to work 4, 8hr shifts a week choosing when they would like to work these. They will be serving as first responders, helping those in need, and learning more about the medical field while gaining invaluable insight into the world of emergency medicine.
Marva (IDF) Track
MARVA is an intense 8-week opportunity to experience Israel through the eyes of the IDF. Through drills, hikes and physical activity aimed to push a participant's boundaries, those enrolled in MARVA will experience real-life training exercises and have a chance to live in army conditions. They will be on base for 11 days and then have 3 days off and repeat for 8 weeks. Are you ready to test your limits? Do you want to be part of something extraordinary? Then Marva is for you, through strict military style training, a rewarding experience is achieved.
ADD ONS *
ADD ONS *
‘Add ons’ are opportunities for extras throughout the year. Each add on will vary in price, structure and times of the year. See below for more details
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You have the option during the Zman Yachad Semester to go on some of the Year Course global trips.
Please note that global trips and speciality programming may incur additional costs.
Olami in Morroco (Global Opportunity)
In January between semesters, Participants get the chance to visit OLAMI in Morroco, getting the chance to learn more about the Jewish population of Morroco
Olami in Portugal (Global Opportunity)
The Portugal Olamitour treks through Lisbon, Porto, Sintra and more whilst looking into the culture of this tradition-rich country.
Olami in Dubai (Global Opportunity)
Following on from the historic Abraham Accords, participants have the chance to travel to Dubai to meet with the members of the Jewish community with Olami and learn about life in the UAE.
Cambodia Initiative (Global Opportunity)
Cambodia offers an incredible amount of history and culture, with incredible natural sites. Join Project TEN in volunteering in an elementary school in Siem Reap, live together with other volunteers, catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, tour the colorful marketplaces, learn about ethical volunteering and development and engage in daily life in this culturally-rich Southeast Asian country.
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During the Tel Aviv semester, the participants have the chance to try sporting activities ranging from surfing to Krav Maga. Enjoy weekly rotating fitness classes and find your new favorite sport! Try acro-yoga, surfing, TRX, dance, climbing, Pilates, Krav Maga, and more! In your free time, enjoy your included membership to a boutique gym near campus, and cheer on Tel Aviv sports teams with tickets to professional matches.
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Meeting with leading Hi-Tech industry professionals. Participating in business workshops where you will learn the skills of project management, giving the perfect pitch, developing business ideas and more. Learning about the Israeli Start-Up-Nation from different types of entrepreneurs
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This incredible experience allows the participants to experience special trips for holidays and extra Shabbatot around the country with the Director of Education, Rabbi Adam Drucker.