Israel Programs The Experience

Volunteering

Chanichim choose from a broad variety of volunteer options, each providing an opportunity to delve into a different aspect of Israeli life. Options vary according to availability and include, but are not limited to: Magen David Adom (Israel’s ambulance service), Marva (an Israeli army program), living and volunteering at a Youth Village, working with disadvantaged children, volunteering in soup kitchens, assisting in senior citizen homes and helping with environmental efforts. A tremendous amount of initiative and maturity is needed to make the most of volunteer placements. Volunteer placements give participants the chance to create relationships with those they are helping and these relationships often remain strong even after Year Course ends. The effort made by the individual chanich dictates the impact s/he has on the community and the relationships s/he develops. Please note that the Year Course staff reserves the right to place you in the experience for which they feel you are best suited, based on availability and your performance during the Program.

Marva is an additional cost that Year Course is happy to absorb, and there is no additional charge to the participants. Due to past experience, however, we require a $1000 deposit from each participant who participates in the Marva program. This deposit will be refunded in full upon graduation from the Marva program, providing students return all equipment to the army. Those students who do not graduate from the Marva program may be entitled to a partial refund of the deposit.

Marva in the second semester usually conflicts with the Tikkun Olam Rwanda trip.

Year Course participants take college-level classes through the American Jewish University’s College in Israel (AJUCI) program. AJU is located in Los Angeles, CA and is a fully accredited university through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Jerusalem semester is the primary academic semester and includes Hebrew language ulpan designed to facilitate access to traditional Jewish texts and contemporary Israeli society alike. Additionally, participants have both required and optional electives available to them during the Jerusalem semester. Students beginning the year in Tel Aviv-Yafo will have Ulpan at the beginning of the year. Chanichim may choose to take their classes either for credit (assuming they meet the academic requirements established by AJU) or to audit their classes. Year Course faculty members are experienced and successful teachers in their fields and are selected for their teaching excellence. Year Course classes strike a delicate balance between the warm, personal approach of a small program and the stringent standards of university-level courses. Teachers are easily approachable and eager to make learning meaningful for all participants. Full attendance, participation, homework, essays and exams are requirements for the study period. Upon completion of the Program, all participants who have been accepted to American Jewish University’s College in Israel (see “The American Jewish University” section below) and who have officially registered to take their courses for credit are eligible to receive an official transcript from American Jewish University reflecting up to a year’s worth of college credit. Participants who participate in Academic Seminars during Adventure Month, or in Olami, Kuma, Tikkun Olam Rwanda or certain Specialty Tracks may be able to earn more than the 25-27 credits that are available during the year.

Some of the true highlights of Year Course are the weekly siyurim (field trips) which take chanichim all over the country. Siyurim are offered for optional academic credit in Jerusalem. Both optional and mandatory Siyurim are provided throughout the year. In addition, participants are encouraged to explore the beauty and variety of Israel’s natural resources in their free time.