Program Overview
Drawing inspiration from the surroundings of the world's most special city, Jerusalem, participants on the WUJS Jerusalem Arts program are able to combine studies in Hebrew language and Israeli art with their own personal art medium such as visual art, music, photography, writing and performing. Integrated into the general WUJS Jerusalem program, participants will take classes within a pluralistic, open-minded environment. Our holistic educational approach incorporates time in the classroom, weekly field trips, overnight hikes, meetings with Israeli peers and artists, volunteer options and a variety of fun and enriching activities. Participants live and study in a warm yet dynamic environment and are supported by professional and experienced staff.
Exhibitions and Arts Catalogue
Artists will have the opportunity to present their work in an exhibition towards the end of the program at the Hadassah Art Gallery. At the beginning of the program all the participating artists will decide on a collective theme for the exhibition and will then spend the following months working on individual artistic projects based on that theme.
Requirements
Participants on the WUJS Arts program are required to take the Hebrew Ulpan as well as the Art and Israel classes. There will also be a mandatory "Introduction to Israel" course within the first month. All other activities are optional. During the rest of the time, artists are free to create and develop their own art either in the studio or around the city. Participants will have the opportunity to meet regularly with the WUJS Arts track coordinator, especially to consult with matters regarding the exhibition. There will also be opportunities to meet with young aspiring Israeli artists. Participants are also free to take advantage of all the other evening options made available by the WUJS staff.
The WUJS Arts track does not teach individual artistic skills. Rather participants are given the time and space to develop their own art with the opportunity of an exhibition at the end of the program. Therefore applicants to the WUJS Arts track will have an academic artistic background as a way of demonstrating that they can take the necessary initiative in working alone during their personal creative time.
Program Courses
Hebrew Ulpan
The Hebrew Ulpan classes on the WUJS program in Jerusalem are run in conjunction with Ulpan Or. The method of teaching adopts the theory of Rapid Language Acquisition in which participants learn intensively in small class sizes for four hours a day for the first three weeks of the program and then settle into a routine of two classes a week each one for two hours. It has been proven that this method builds up a strong feeling of self confidence in using Hebrew to communicate in Israel from the first week of the program. Ulpan Or uses modern teaching methods that involve participants downloading Hebrew programs to their MP3 players and using the innovative online electronic newspaper.
Art and Israel
This course seeks to allow participants to touch the plethora of artistic opportunities in Israel today. 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. While most of the course is classroom based, participants will also take field trips to important sites and meet with current leaders within the arts today.
Israeli Cinema and Photography
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.
Siyurim and Tiyulim
One of the highlights of the WUJS program is the field trips that take place every Tuesday. 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, Yemin Moshe and Rechavia, Neot Kedumim, Neve Tzedek in Tel-Aviv, Sderot, Yad Vashem, Rosh Haayin, Kibbutz Metzer and many, many more.
In addition there are three hikes that take place during the course of the program. One in the North of the country, one in the Judaean Desert and the Dead Sea and one in the Arava that is situated in the South of the country and involves a Shabbat experience at Kibbutz Ketura.
Typical Week for WUJS Arts
| Semester 1 |
| |
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
9:30-11:00 |
Personal Art Time |
Personal Art Time |
|
Personal Art Time |
Personal Art Time |
Free Weekend - why not go on a camping trip with friends to the Golan Heights
|
Free Weekend – why not have a cultural weekend visiting Jerusalem 'off the beaten track' |
11:30-13:00 |
Group Meeting
|
13:00 |
Siyur (field trip) may run until late |
14:00-15:30 |
Israeli Cinema and Photography |
Art and Israel
|
Free
|
| Evening |
Group Activity |
Hebrew Ulpan |
Hebrew Ulpan |
Free Evening |
Beyond the Classroom
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 the WUJS Arts program will have the option of participating in a variety in 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.
Volunteering
One afternoon a week, participants on the WUJS Arts program, have the opportunity to do tzedaka (charity) by spending time volunteering in the local community. Give your time to victims of terror, mentally handicapped adults, Holocaust survivors, orphaned children and many more. You can make a real difference to peoples' lives.
Adopted Families
The WUJS Israel program 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 group Shabbatot weekends over the course of the program in Jerusalem. 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 Jerusalem Learning program 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. 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.
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 passes that allow you to get around the city freely using the vast public transportation system.
Apply now to secure your place on WUJS Israel
