Frequently Asked Questions
2. Can I come to learn for less than a full year?
3. What if my Hebrew isn't good enough?
4. Where is the yeshiva located?
5. Do I have to live in the dorm?
6. Do I need a student Visa? How do I get one?
7. How much is tuition and what does it include?
8. Does the Yeshiva offer financial aid?
Q: Ho many students are in yeshiva?
A: Depending on the year, the yeshiva has between 30 and 40 students. This allows for an intimate atmosphere where students are able to enjoy the buzz and excitement of a full Beit Midrash on the one hand and a warm family atmosphere on the other.
Q: Can I come to learn for less than a full year?
A: The true benefit from the yeshiva program comes from being involved in Torah study for a significant amount of time- a whole year, or, at least a semester. Even so, we always have students who come for shorter periods of time- a few months and even for just a few weeks. we will help you integrate as quickly as possible into the regular classes as well as assign you one on one learning with people on staff to insure you maximize your time with us.
Q: What if my Hebrew isn't good enough?
A: As long as you can read Hebrew on the most basic level, you'll be fine.
The yeshiva has classes catering to all levels.
Q: Where is the yeshiva located?
A: The yeshiva is located in the picturesque and tranquil hills of Gush Etzion (The Etzion Block) 10 miles south of Jerusalem. The yeshiva is a self contained neighborhood adjacent to the city of Efrat. Efrat's commercial and shopping areas are less than a 10 minute walk from yeshiva. There is hourly public transportation to Jerusalem as well.
Q: Do I have to live in the dorm?
A: We strongly encourage students to live in the dorm. It is an important aspect of the yeshiva experience- living with others who are engrossed in Torah study, being close to the rabbis and Kollel students and being able to partake in community events. Even so, there are always students who choose not to be in the dorm. Some rent apartments in the neighboring community of Efrat while others commute daily from Jerusalem.
Q: Do I need a student Visa? How do I get one?
A: If you are coming to Israel for more than 3 months you will need a student Visa. You will need to apply for it at an Israeli consulate. If you did not get one before coming to Israel, it is possible to get it here but it involves a tremendous investment of time and energy.
Q: How much is tuition and what does it include?
Tuition includes:
* Tuition
* Trips (once a month)
* Room & board, including 3 full meals a day
Q: Does the Yeshiva offer financial aid?
A: Yes. Financial aid is available through the following venues:
MASA
In cooperation with the Jewish Agency, MASA provides significant grants and scholarships to men and woman on long term Israel learning programs.
MASA offers 2 kinds of support:
1. Grant up to $4,500. The grant is not based on financial need.
2. Scholarship up to $3,000. This is a needs based scholarship and requires proof of income as well as several other documents.
If you qualify for the MASA grant, there is a good chance you will qualify for the scholarships as well, bringing your MASA scholarship up to $7,500. For details see: http://www.masaisrael.org/Masa/English/MASA+Grants/How+to+apply+online.htm
Yeshiva Scholarship
The Yeshiva has the capacity to offer needs based scholarships. The Yeshiva will only consider scholarship requests after students have exhausted external scholarship sources such as MASA and local Jewish federations, and still require financial aid. The amount of the scholarship depends on individual financial situations and will be determined after a conversation with the Yeshiva's Executive Director.
Long Term Interest Free Loan
If after payment, grants and scholarships there is still a need for financial aid, the Yeshiva offers long term interest free loans. This is done through the signing of a contract committing the student to pay off the difference in regular payments, once he has begun working.
It is important to emphasis that the Yeshiva is by no means a business, rather, ורה (place of Torah), a house of learning and teaching. At the same time, obviously, there are many expenses involved in our being able to fulfill this mission.
This requires us to keep a delicate balance between our financial needs and our student's capabilities.
Following, please find some other possible sources for scholarships:
The Yossi & Zevi Scholarship Fund
$500 tuition scholarship
Sponsored by Jeff Seidel, this scholarship has an easy online application.
To qualify, you need to:
1. Study in Israel at a yeshiva or a seminary for at least 9 months.
2. Minimal background in Jewish observance or education.
$3,500 tuition scholarship
To qualify, you need to:
1. be a high school graduate,
2. not currently be in Israel,
3. intend to study Torah at a yeshiva or seminary in Israel, and
4. show "academic promise in religious studies." – From their Web site
Apply online or email Dr. Wally Greene (manager of the scholarship).
$250 – $3,000 tuition scholarship
In the United States, most cities have a location Jewish Federation that gives out scholarships. Each Federation has its own requirements for scholarships.
To apply, contact your location Federation. To locate your local federation, go to:
1. For the Federation in your area, visit Jeff Seidel's Web site.
2. The Federations of North America‘s Jewish Finder Web site.
3. Go to the Hagshama Web site which lists a large number of local federations.
QUICK TIP: How to ACTUALLY Get Money from Your Federation
The only way to get money from your federation is TO CALL their office. DO NOT email them if you want to get a scholarship.
When you call the Federation, ask to speak with the Financial Aid Director or to the person in charge of scholarships. Explain your situation to them. Ask them if you‘re eligible to apply to any of their scholarships.
If they have a scholarship that you‘re eligible for, they‘ll either email you an application to fill out or send you to their Web site where you can fill out the online application.
$21,000 tuition & living scholarship
Just about the greatest thing since sliced bread, if you get this fellowship, you‘re sitting pretty well for a year.
To be eligible, you need to be an American or a Canadian between the ages of 22 and 35. You CANNOT:
1. be working or plan to work in a Jewish field, or
2. have made aliyah.
In order to apply, you need to submit:
1. An application, which you can download here.
2. A resume.
3. Official transcripts from any institution where a degree was received.
4. A recent photograph of yourself.
5. 3 letters of recommendation. You can download the reference form here.
