1. What is the purpose of the Jerusalem Fellowships?
2. When do the Jerusalem Fellowships programs take place during the year?
3. How many people participate on the program?
4. What is the average age of the participants on the program?
5. What do you do on the program?
6. What's the difference between the Internship for Leaders and the Summer or Winter-break programs?
7. What is the percentage breakdown of Jewish study, political study and touring?
8. If I've been to Israel before, is this program for me?
9. What's included in the price of the program?
10. Where do we stay?
11. Is the Fellowships a co-ed program?
12. Is the program appropriate for people of any Jewish denomination (Reform, Conservative, etc.)?
13. Are there any religious requirements?
14. Is there a lot of free time?
15. Is there free time to visit relatives or travel on our own?
16. Will we be tested on the material we will be studying.
17. Where do we go on the tours?
18. Will we get a good feel for the country?
19. Who teaches on the Fellowships?
20. Do you have to know Hebrew?
21. Do you teach Hebrew?
22. Can I get college credits for the Fellowships?
23. What politicians will you be meeting during the next program?
24. Do you take any special security precautions?
25. Is there any kind of dress code?
26. Can I speak to a past participant?
27. Can someone send me email while I'm on the program?
28. Do you offer any follow-up programs?
29. If I need a connecting flight to NY, should I make the arrangements on my own?
30. What airline do you use?
31. What if I decide that I'd like to stay in Israel for a longer period of time after the program ends? Can I extend my ticket.
32. What if I have no money? Am I eligible for a scholarship?
33. If I receive a scholarship, do I have to do anything in return?
34. Where are the classes held?
35. Do I have to do the whole program? What if I have to leave early?
36. How much extra money should I bring?
1. What is the purpose of the Jerusalem Fellowships?
Today in North America, assimilation and intermarriage are at an all-time high, and the need for committed Jewish leaders is critical.
The purpose of the Fellowships is threefold:
1. To increase our participants' level of commitment towards Judaism and Israel
2. To motivate them to increase their participation as leaders in on-campus and community Jewish activities
3. To give them the tools to share what they've learned with others.
2. When do the Jerusalem Fellowships programs take place during the year?
We typically run two 3-week program between December 25 - January 15, and two to three 4-week programs in the months of June and July.3. How many people are on the program?
The number of participants per program can vary but usually falls within the range of 35-45.Return to Top of Page
4. What is the average age of the participants on the program?
The age range on a JFIL
program is between 18-21. On the Winter-Break or Summer Fellowships program, we
sometimes will run one program for undergrads (average ages 18-22) and one for grads and
young professionals (average ages 23-29). If we run a mixed program of undergrads
and grads, the age range could be between 18-29. Please call the fellowships office for
information about age ranges on a particular program.
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5. What do you do on the program?
The program encompasses three main areas: Jewish Study, Political Study, and Touring ( and on the JFIL, Leadership Development).
Jewish Study includes classes and seminars on Jewish issues, philosophy, and history, as well as introductory sessions on classic Jewish texts - all with a stress on the relevance of our 3300 history and tradition to our lives today. If you're like many of our participants, these discussion oriented classes will be the highlight of the program. The classes on Judaism are typically held in the morning between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Political Study: You'll learn about Israel politics and society directly from Knesset members, Cabinet Ministers, scholars, Middle east analysts, journalists, and ocassionally from the Prime Minister himself. Past Fellowships have met with Benjamin Netanyahu, Yitzchak Rabin, Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, President Ezer Weizman, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, and many others. You'll also enjoy special seminars at the Harry Karrin Institute for Propaganda Study, and the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies.
Touring: You'll hike through Ein Gedi and up
Masada, rappel in the Judean Hills, tour the Golan and the Galil, sip wine at the famous
Golan Winery, and explore the mystical city of Tzfat, and all four quarters of the Old
City including the Western Wall tunnel excavations, caves, and archaeological digs. There
are private tours of Yad Vashem, The Diaspora Museum and the Tourajaman Post Museum. The
nation's best tour guides help make the ancient history of Israel come alive!
Leadership Development: (JFIL):
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6. What's the difference between the Campus and Post-Graduate programs?
The Jerusalem Fellowships Internship for Leaders is for college students in their Freshman, Sophmore, or Junior years, while the Summer or Winter-break Fellowships program is for students between the ages of 18-29. While both programs share elements of Jewish study, Israel politics and touring, the Internship for Leaders includes seminars, workshops, and field projects designed to give our participants the tools to engage in on-campus Jewish activism.Return to Top of Page
7. What is the percentage breakdown of Jewish study, political study and touring?
Jewish study: 50 - 55%
Political study (and activism): 20 - 25%
Touring: 25%
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8. If I've been to Israel before, is this program for me?
Absolutely! Touring is just one aspect of the
Jerusalem Fellowships experience, and many of Israel's cities and sites are more enjoyable
when visited a second time around.
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9. What's included in the price of the program?
The price of the program includes round-trip airfare
from NY, room and board, tours, classes and seminars, and most meals.
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10. Where do we stay?
The women's programs are usually housed in rented
apartments or dormitory facilities at a location in Jerusalem (usually Ramat Eshkol or the
German Colony). The men's programs are usually housed in rented apartments or dormitory
facilities in the Old City of Jerusalem.
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11. Is the Fellowships a co-ed program?
While there are many activities for the group as a
whole, the classes on Judaism and overnight tours are scheduled separately for men and
women.
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12. Is the program appropriate for people of any Jewish denomination (Reform, Conservative, etc.)?
The vast majority of our participants identify
themselves as Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist or unaffiliated.
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13. Are there any religious requirements?
No, but we do request that when in the home of a host during Shabbat hospitality that you refrain from turning on lights, smoking, or doing anything that by Jewish tradition would be considered "work".Return to Top of Page
14. Is there a lot of free time?
While there is some free time, the Fellowships
schedule is often intense, and applicants should realize that while a lot of fun, the
Fellowships is a serious educational program with attendance requirements.
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15. Is there free time to visit relatives or travel on our own?
There are typically one or two free weekends, ie.
Thursday evening to Saturday night, that can be used for visiting or traveling. There are
also some free evenings. If you'd like to do extensive traveling you should plan to stay
in Israel for a few additional weeks.
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16. Will we be tested on the material we will be studying.
No,
but there are writing assignments on the the Internship for Leaders.
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17. Where do we go on the tours?
The program typically includes two overnight tours;
one to the north of Israel including the area surrounding the Sea of Galilee and the Golan
Heights, and a south trip into the Negev Desert. You'll also climb Masada, visit Ein Gedi,
enjoy a panoramic tour of Jerusalem, and much more. See the Sample Itinerary for more
highlights.
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18. Will we get a good feel for the country?
Absolutely! While there is a lot to see and do,
Israel is a relatively small country (about the size of New Jersey) so we're able to cover
a lot of ground.
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19. Who teaches on the Fellowships?
Our lecturers and teachers include learned Rabbis,
Knesset members, Cabinet Ministers, scholars, Middle east analysts and journalists.
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20. Do you have to know Hebrew?
No. All classes and seminars are held in English.
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21. Do you teach Hebrew?
We offer an optional Hebrew Ulpan for those who are
interested.
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22. Can I get college credits for the Fellowships?
Many past participants from several fine schools have received college credits for the Fellowships program. In order to see if you can get credits you'll have to do some legwork. We can provide you with a course description that you can take to your college's Jewish Studies Department for approval. Please check out our Credits Pages for more information.lReturn to Top of Page
23. What politicians will you be meeting during the next program?
Frankly, we usually don't know until just a few
weeks before each program. Recent Fellowships have met with Benjamin Netanyahu, Former
Prime Minister Shimon Peres, President Ezer Weizman, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, and many
others.
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24. Do you take any special security precautions?
Whenever the program travels as a whole we do not
take public transportation, but rather charter our own mini-buses. We also do not travel
to any location that may be considered a "hot spot".
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25. Is there any kind of dress code?
There is no dress code per se, but rather an
expectation that our participants will dress appropriately for the kinds of activities in
which they are engaged, and with sensitivity for the standards of the communities they
find themselves visiting.
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26. Can I speak to a past participant?
Sure. Please call our office at 1-800 FELLOWS and
we'll give you the number of an alumnus in your area to call.
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27. Can someone send me email while I'm on the program?
Yes, but there is a nominal charge for receiving
email messages.
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28. Do you offer any follow-up programs?
Yes. We offer a two week follow-up program after the
Fellowships with an emphasis on Jewish Study.
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29. If I need a connecting flight to NY, should I make the arrangements on my own?
Yes, but we suggest that you use our travel agent to
make the arrangements for you in case our Israel flight undergoes a scheduling change, and
your connecting flight needs to be changed as well.
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30. What airline do you use?
We usually use El Al, although in the past we have
used TWA and Tower Air.
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31. What if I decide that I'd like to stay in Israel for a longer period of time after the program ends? Can I extend my ticket.
If you are under the age of 26 the ticket that we
purchase for you can be extended for up to a year. You simply have to call the El Al
office a week before your scheduled departure date to let them know you'd like to extend
your stay. If you are 26 or older it is possible to get a ticket for you that can be
extended for up to 3 months. Please note. Your tourist visa will only be valid for a 3
month period. If you want to stay for an additional period of time as a student or tourist
you will have to go to the Interior Ministry for a visa extension.
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32. What if I have no money? Am I eligible for a scholarship?
Please visit our Scholarships Pages.
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33. If I receive a scholarship, do I have to do anything in return?
Yes. At the very least...
1. You will have to write a thank you letter to the
person who sponsored your scholarship.
2. If you participate on the campus program, we
would expect you to be involved to the best of your ability with Jewish activities on your
campus.
3. You will be expected to share your
experiences with prospective students who apply to the program in the future, either at
information sessions or over the phone.
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34. Where are the classes held?
Many classes are held at our facility in the Old
City of Jerusalem. Some of the women's classes may be held in their apartments or
dormitory facilities.
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35. Do I have to do the whole program? What if I have to leave early?
In the past we have made some exceptions for people
who need to leave the program a few days early. Your eligibility for a full-scholarship
may be effected though if you need to leave before the end of the program. Call for
information.
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36. How much extra money should I bring?
The amount you will need is dependent on your
individual needs and spending habits. We recommend that each person bring around $300
spending money. Some people spend a little less, some a little more.
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