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 month of the program is spent learning Hebrew as well as the key issues in Israeli society through classes, guest speakers and field trips. The next four months are then spent at an internship or volunteer placement within the field. Participants will typically intern/volunteer four days a week while the fifth day will be devoted to a general educational yet fun field trip somewhere in the country. Participants live and study in a warm yet dynamic environment and are supported by professional and experienced staff.

Internship 
The internship/volunteer placement in an approved Jerusalem based social change organization lasts for four months of the program and is approximately 20-30 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
Participants on the WUJS Peace and Social Justice program are required to take the Hebrew Ulpan and Key Issues in Israel Society classes as well as fully commit to their internship or volunteer placement. Beyond that, participants are free to join any of the weekly siyurim (field trips) and other evening options made available by the WUJS staff.

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.

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 Peace and Social Justice

First Semester

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
AM	Internship / Volunteer Placement	Internship / Volunteer Placement	Israel Update	Internship / Volunteer Placement	Internship / Volunteer Placement	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'
			Group Meeting
PM			Siyur (field trip) may run until late
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 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. 

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 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 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