NEW - WUJS Arts Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is Israel’s cultural capital, so it’s no wonder that WUJS Tel Aviv would open an opportunity for artists!
WUJS Arts Tel Aviv is available starting with the March 2012 session.
We cater to all artists: writers, musicians, performers, photographers, painters, filmmakers, animators, etc. Artists who choose WUJS Arts Tel Aviv will have the opportunity to intern two days a week. Their internships will give them the opportunity to be a part of the art world in Tel Aviv, expose them to different sides of their medium – financial, business, logistic, theoretical, educational or other, and will give them the appropriate mentorship for their projects for the final WUJS exhibit. The rest of the week the artists will enjoy an art class and take time to work on their arts projects and have the opportunity to explore Tel Aviv as a source of inspiration and creativity.
Please note that the first 2 weeks of the program will be dedicated to: orientation, intensive Ulpan, seminars and a field trip and will not include internship.
Internship, Facilities and Mentor
Many artists ask themselves, how can they combine their artistic passion and talent with a professional career? This is where WUJS Arts Tel Aviv can help. Through the internship the participant will be able to experience professional businesses and institutions that operate within or close to their artistic field. The combination of an internship, an art class and a supportive WUJS staff will provide each artist with a platform to develop their art. Through their internships participants will be able to create connections within their art field, meet with other artists, and be part of Tel Aviv's art community.
The internships will be tailor-made to guarantee career advancement and personal satisfaction. Prior to your arrival to Israel a member of the WUJS staff will be in contact with you to discuss your areas of interests and resume/portfolio. Following that you will be presented with potential internship placements and asked to be in contact with each one individually before making a final decision on your five-month placement. Please note that acceptance to an internship is often dependent on your experience and qualifications. In addition, those who have a good command of the Hebrew language will have more options available to them
For more information about Art in Tel Aviv
For more information about possible internships
Courses and Field Trips
Participants on WUJS Arts Tel Aviv will be required to take a course titled "Art in Israel":
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 in 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. some classes will be classroom-based and other will be field trips.
Field trip will be both inside and outside of Tel Aviv in order 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.
Hebrew Ulpan
The Hebrew Ulpan classes on WUJS Arts Tel Aviv 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.
- Ulpan two evenings per week
Key Issues in Israel Seminars
During the first two weeks 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.
Siyurim and Tiyulim
One of the highlights of the WUJS Arts Tel Aviv 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 somewhere local in Tel Aviv 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 – the south of Israel.
Jewish Experience
One of the greatest advantages of spending five months in Tel Aviv is the opportunity to experience Judaism from a unique perspective. 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.
Adopted Families
The WUJS Israel program arranges for students to be "adopted" by a family in Tel Aviv and neighboring cities. 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 Tel Aviv 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
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 Tel Aviv 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 the WUJS Arts Tel-Aviv program receive accommodation in apartments in the city of Tel-Aviv. The apartments are situated in South Tel-Aviv near the trendy Florentine (Tel-Aviv's Soho) neighborhood, and a short ride away from Tel-Aviv's famous beach. The area provides easy access to all of Tel-Aviv's highlights including restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, theaters and more. In most cases four to six participants live per apartment (two people per bedroom).
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 Tel Aviv 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 passes that allow you to get around the city and the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area (known in Hebrew as Gush Dan) freely, using the vast public transportation system.
