Program Overview
The WUJS Peace and Social Justice program in Jerusalem is designed for those interested in exploring the fields of peace, democratic development and social justice in Israel, in the context of a Jewish, Zionist learning environment.  The first three months are focused on studies in Judaism, Zionism and Hebrew language and orienting participants to issues of concern for Israel and the Jewish people.  In the second semester of the program, participants engage in grassroots work being done in Jerusalem through an internship in an approved social change organization.   Fully integrated into the WUJS Jerusalem Learning program, participants take classes in a pluralistic 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. Participants live and study in a warm yet dynamic environment and are supported by professional and experienced staff.

Internship 
The internship in an approved Jerusalem based social change organization lasts for three months, and is approximately 25-30 hours per week. The organizations in which we place interns work to strengthen democracy and support social justice in areas such as: civil and human rights; the status of women; Jewish-Arab coexistence; religious pluralism and tolerance; social and economic equality; immigrant absorption; the environment and more.

Requirements
During the first semester participants on the WUJS Peace and Social Justice program are required to take the Hebrew Ulpan and Zionism Courses as well as the three elective courses.  One evening a week Peace and Social Justice participants will have an evening devoted to relevant and contemporary issues in Israel within this field. During the rest of the week, participants can volunteer for one afternoon and are free to take advantage of all the other evening options made available by the WUJS staff. 

Program Courses

Core Courses 
Hebrew Ulpan
Hebrew classes at WUJS take place five mornings a week. The goal of Ulpan is to help students attain functional levels of Hebrew in order to interact in Israeli society. Whether a beginner or at a more advanced level, students are immersed in the language and have the opportunity to use their daily lessons outside of the classroom.  The WUJS Hebrew Ulpan is run in conjunction with the Young Judaea Year Course allowing approximately eight levels of Hebrew classes to be offered each semester.  Each student will take a written Hebrew test and have a verbal interview with a Hebrew Ulpan teacher during the opening days of the program. The results will decide each student's placement for Hebrew classes. 

Zionism 

Elective Courses 

Jewish Thought and Culture 

Contemporary Israeli Society 

Typical Week for WUJS Peace and Social Justice

First Semester

	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

Second Semester

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Morning	Internship	Internship	Contemporary Israeli Society Elective Siyur (Field Trip)	Internship	Internship	Free Weekend
Afternoon
Evening	Concert with Israeli Band	Optional - Parshat Hashavua: Bereishit "Who Created the World"	Optional Hebrew Ulpan	Workshop - Gender Issues in Israel	Enjoy a beer in the Jerusalem Forest

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 Peace and Social Justice 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 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 three group Shabbatot weekends over the course of the program.  These include Shabbatot within Jerusalem as well as retreats outside of the city.  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 Peace and Social Justice program receive accommodation in apartments within the city of Jerusalem for the duration of the entire program including the internship period.  The apartments are situated in the Old Katamon 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