WUJS Arts Jerusalem - Available September 2014!
Drawing inspiration from the surroundings of the world's most special city, Jerusalem, participants on WUJS Arts Jerusalem are able to combine studies in Hebrew language and Israeli art with their own personal art medium be it visual art, performing art, writing, music or any other media.
Jerusalem is like no other city in the world; you feel as if you are walking on history. Artists who come here will have ample time to be inspired by the spirituality, romantic cobblestone streets, and majestic environment that one can only find in Jerusalem. The environment in Jerusalem is never boring and it promotes creativity and originality. Additionally, Jerusalem is home to the most influential and impressive academic art institutions in Israel such as Bezalel, Sam Speigel Film School, Musrara Photography and Graphic Design School and more. Below you will find a list of a number of the art institutions located in Jerusalem.
Attracting many English speaking Olim (Jewish immigrants), Jerusalem is also home for a few English speaking theater groups, and it host an annual English speaking theater festival. Past participants have directed, produced and acted in a variety of shows.
There has also been a recent art movement by the Jerusalem municipality to promote work of young new artists, and there are many organizations that are interested in displaying and exposing such artists. Previous WUJS participants have been able to display their work in some of these exhibits.
Much of the week of participants on WUJS Arts Jerusalem will be devoted to their individual projects. We feel it is important to give artists time to explore their environment, which includes traveling out of the city to gather inspiration from other parts of the country.
WUJS Arts Jerusalem weekly schedule
Facilities, Internship and Mentors
One of the benefits of WUJS Arts Jerusalem is that each participant will have a personal mentor with whom s/he can meet twice a month. The aim of the meetings would be to find guidance and inspiration towards the final exhibition and for the art work in general.
WUJS Arts Jerusalem can provide basic facilities for each participant such as easels for visual artists and space to store your art work. artists will also be able to use classes as studios, based on availability. Participants who require more specific facilities such as advanced digital printers and scanners, pottery wheels or a dance studio will have to fund those themselves; however the WUJS staff can assist on locating those facilities before your arrival in Israel. In the past, WUJS artists have included painters, photographers, calligraphers, film-makers, animators, actors, directors, singers, dancers, musicians, writers, and more.
Prior to your arrival to Israel, a member of the WUJS staff will be in contact with you to discuss your areas of interest and to go over your resume/portfolio. Following that you will be presented with potential mentors and asked to be in contact with each one individually before making a final decision on who you want to work with.
Courses and Field Trips
Participants on WUJS Arts Jerusalem will be required to take 2 art classes during the week: "Art in Israel" and "Israeli film". On some weeks there will be one longer field trip instead of the two classes.
Please note that WUJS Arts Jerusalem does not offer skills classes in any art field. If you wish to take skills class, the arts coordinator will be able to assist you in finding a teacher suitable for you, but it would be on your own expense.
Art in Israel Course
This course seeks to allow participants to touch the plethora of artistic opportunities in Israel today, and will touch upon all types of artistic media. Part of the course will examine the history of art in Israel and within Jewish history in general. The course also focuses on modern-day Israel and the various expressions that can be found around the country. The course will take place once a week sometimes as a field trip and sometimes in a classroom setting.
Israeli Film Course
This course will allow participants to explore Israeli society and culture through film. It will also allow them see the development of the Israeli film industry since the establishment of the state until today. Topics that are covered in the film class include: racism, the Arab/Israeli conflict, religion and spirituality, and Israeli humor and slang. The course will take place once a week, on weeks when there is no field trip.
Field Trips
Participants of WUJS ARTS Jerusalem will travel both inside and outside of Jerusalem to visit galleries and museums, to visit artistic landmarks, to meet with Israel artists and to get inspiration from the magnificent views of Israel. Field trips may include: Jewish, Christian and Muslim architecture in the old city of Jerusalem, Museums tour in Tel Aviv, Art in the public sphere – Graffiti tour and meetings with Israeli graffiti artists, visit Ein Hod art colony on Mt. Carmel, meet with Arab and Israeli musicians working together and much more.
Art Institutions in Jerusalem
Painting, Drawing and Sculpting:
Israel Museum: http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/htmls/home.aspx
Bezalel: http://www.bezalel.ac.il/en/
Beit Avi Chai: http://www.bac.org.il/About-en.aspx
The Jerusalem Artists House: http://www.art.org.il/en/index.php
Anna Ticho House: http://www.go-out.com/ticho/houseEng.html
The Jerusalem Print Workshop for Graphic Arts: http://www.printworks.webtao.net/24/
Film, Photography and Graphic Design:
Sam Speigel Film School: http://www.jsfs.co.il/english/
Maale Film School: http://www.maale.co.il/default.asp?PageID=6
Jerusalem Cinematheque: http://www.jer-cin.org.il/Default.aspx?Lang=En
Bezalel: http://www.bezalel.ac.il/en/
Musrara- The Naggar School of Photography, Media, New Music, Animation and Phototherapy: http://musrara.org/
Performing Arts, Dance and Music:
The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance: http://www.jamd.ac.il/en
Jerusalem Music Center: http://www.jmc.co.il/
Jerusalem Theatre: http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il/Default.aspx?Lang=En
Jerusalem English Speaking Theater: http://jest-theatre.org/
Nisan Nativ Acting Studio Jerusalem: http://www.nissan-nativ.org.il/index.html
School of Visual Theater: http://visualtheater.co.il/pages/en/about_en.php
Gerard Bechar center: https://gerard-behar.jerusalem.muni.il/ (Hebrew site); http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/item_546/Gerard-Bechar-Center (info. in English)
Mamuta: http://mamuta.org/?page_id=2
Ha’ma’abada (the lab): http://www.maabada.org.il/
Beyond the Arts
Hebrew Ulpan
The Hebrew Ulpan classes on WUJS Arts Jerusalem are run by the Hebrew Department of Young Judaea Israel Programs. During the five month program, the studies are as follows:
- One week intensive Ulpan during the second week of the program. This builds up a strong feeling of self-confidence in using Hebrew to communicate in Israel from the very beginning of the program.
- Throughout the program, Ulpan two evenings per week.
Siyurim and Tiyulim
One of the highlights of the WUJS program is the field trips that take place once a week. This is an opportunity to take a break from the week's routine and get out and about seeing Israel through your own eyes and feet. The field trips are based on a variety of topics and can take you to somewhere local in the city of Jerusalem or beyond and into the country at large. Previous field trips have included: The Old City of Jerusalem, Binyamina Winery, Bahai Gardens and Ein Hod Artists Village, Neve Tzedek in Tel-Aviv, Sderot, Yad Vashem, security fence, food tasting at Levinsky market in Tel Aviv and many, many more.
In addition there are two overnight trips that take place during the course of the program. One in the North of the country, one in the Negev – in the south of Israel.
Key Issues in Israel Seminars
During the first month of the program, in addition to the Hebrew Ulpan, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of educational seminars that tackle the key issues that any participant on a long-term program in Israel should consider. These may include such topics as: History of Israel, Overview of Israeli Political System, Religion and State, Understanding the Conflict, The People of Israel, Israeli Culture and more.
Judaism 101
All participants will have the opportunity to take a Judaism class once a week:
Example of class on the course: Why do Jews Pray? Prayer is Tough
The concept of Tefilla (Prayer) in Judaism is vastly more complex than simply asking God to fulfill our needs. For these two sessions we will be diving into the world of Jewish Prayer. We will answer the questions 'Does God really need MY prayers?', 'What if I think praying is boring?', 'I don't even understand the prescribed prayers when I read them in English, so why do it at all?', 'I'm not even sure I believe in God, so why pray?', and 'Going to Synagogue makes me nervous, can't I just pray on my own?'
We will look into the Siddur (prayer book) and examine both the text and the tune of different prayers. Also, we will travel through the Amida, which is the central Jewish prayer, and see the three elements that are considered integral to the act of praying. In addition, we will look at the various categories of Brachot (blessings) and see that there is a comprehensive system of blessings for almost every occasion imaginable. By the end of our time together we will understand that, in its ideal form, prayer is really a constant ongoing process of self transformation.
Jewish Experience
One of the greatest advantages of spending six months in Jerusalem is the opportunity to experience Judaism. Explore the options, feel the fervor, learn and encounter Judaism as you never have before. WUJS, as part Young Judaea/FZY Israel programs, is a Jewish pluralist program; whether you are Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist or non-affiliated, you will be given your space to express your Judaism in your way.
Israel Experience
Beyond the classroom and the siyur (field trip), participants on WUJS Arts Jerusalem will have the option of participating in a variety of informal educational and cultural activities that primarily take place in the evenings. These may include meeting local Israeli artists, visiting a new exhibit, Israeli film night, going to an international soccer match, visiting a new bar in the German Colony, going to a political rally, meeting an environmental lobby, going to a concert or play and much more. In addition, during free time, participants can enjoy all the wonderful cultural and social opportunities that Jerusalem has to offer.
Adopted Families
WUJS Arts Jerusalem arranges for students to be "adopted" by a family in Jerusalem. This provides a home away from home and an opportunity to get to know an Israeli family. These families are often immigrants themselves from around the world. It can be a way of practicing Hebrew and discovering Jerusalem from a different angle. While this is not a compulsory part of the program, experience has proven that life-long relationships can be formed between students and local families.
Weekends
The weekends are often one of the highlights of the program as participants have the time to get out and about exploring the country from north to south. All WUJS participants have the luxury of using our tiyul (hiking) consultant who will help you to plan your treks around Israel and even provide you with maps, tents and gas burners.
Shabbatot
There are a number of Shabbatot (weekends) over the course of the program in Jerusalem that we spend together as a group. Each Shabbat can be meaningful in its own way either due to a new and interesting encounter or simply because of the unique atmosphere that each Shabbat brings. Just be ready to be spiritually uplifted in some way.
Accommodation
All participants on WUJS Arts Jerusalem receive accommodation in apartments within the city of Jerusalem. The apartments are situated in the Baka neighborhood conveniently situated close to the trendy Emek Refaim and a short ride away from downtown Jerusalem. The area provides easy access to all of Jerusalem's highlights including restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, theaters and more. In most cases four to six participants live per apartment (two people per bedroom). Some of the residents might be Israelis your own age. Each apartment is equipped with beds, closets, sofas, table and chairs. In addition the kitchen is supplied with a toaster oven, electric stove, refrigerator, freezer and all necessary cooking utensils.
Please note that Israeli standard apartment might not be similar to what you are used to back home.
If you want to learn more about the apartments, click here.
Getting Around the City
As anyone who lives in Jerusalem will tell you, the most enjoyable way to get around the city is on foot. However, just in case, participants will also be provided with monthly bus and train passes that allow you to get around the city freely using the vast public transportation system.
