Program Overview
The WUJS Jerusalem Learning program is a deep and engaging Jewish studies experience.  The Jerusalem Ulpan (Hebrew language) program coupled with extensive courses in Judaism and Zionism are all conducted in a pluralist, open minded environment.  Our holistic educational approach incorporates time in the classroom, weekly field trips, overnight hikes, meetings with Israeli peers, volunteer options and a variety of fun and enriching activities.

Requirements
Participants on the WUJS Jerusalem Learning program are required to take the Hebrew Ulpan classes. Beyond that, participants may take up to the maximum of the other interesting and intellectually challenging classes on offer.

Program Courses
 
Current courses include:

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.

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.

During the rest of the program other courses may include for example:

Zionism: Events and Ideas
This course examines some of the ideas, events and personalities in the Zionist story partly in class and partly in the field. Our playground will start in the days of early Zionist thought in the late 19th century and conclude with the Declaration of Independence in 1948. But as we learn the information we will discover that Zionism throws up many big questions and we will attempt to confront many of them. What is the place of Zionism in Jewish history? Is it a revolution or a continuation? Can you be a Zionist in the Diaspora? Did Zionism succeed (and thus end) in 1948? If not, what came after and what is Zionism today?

The Arab-Israeli Conflict
In this course we will explore the nature and development of the conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors that has affected the Middle East for more than a century. We will question how we came to be where we are at present, and what could have been done differently at various points that might have led to a different outcome. The class will study the fundamental elements of the Conflict across the past century and will address the basic trends and themes that have emerged in the Middle East. It will address developments from the time of the pre-state Yishuv and the Arab reactions to it up to the present, and will consider possible outcomes for the future. Students will analyze the effect that international, regional, religious, ideological, political and military events have had on the overall conflict. We will try to understand how strategic and other considerations have played a role throughout the Conflict and have influenced trends of the last hundred years in the Middle East. The course will be presented in a seminar and discussion format, with ongoing reference to current events from various sources. Students who wish to prepare a research paper or a class presentation may do so.

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.

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 Jerusalem Learning

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
8:30-10:30	Hebrew Ulpan	Zionism	Hebrew Ulpan	Jewish Thought and Culture Elective	Hebrew Ulpan	Free Weekend - Camping in the Arava Desert
10:40-12:40	Jewish Thought and Culture Elective	Hebrew Ulpan	Contemporary Israeli Society Elective Siyur (Field Trip)	Hebrew Ulpan	Contemporary Israeli Society Elective
12:45-13:30	Lunch	Lunch		Lunch and Learn	Lunch
14:00-16:00	Volunteering in the Community	Jewish Text Elective		Zionism Siyur (Field trip)	Jewish Text Elective
16:00 - 18:00
Evening	Optional - Basketball Match: Hapoel Jerusalem vs Hapoel Tel Aviv	Optional - Parshat Hasavua: Nitzavim - "Building a Jewish Community"	Optional - Israeli Cinema Club	Chill out in the apartment	Glass of wine on Emek Refaim

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 Jerusalem Learning 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: 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 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 Jerusalem Learning 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