What’s nu at the Conservative Yeshiva?

The Conservative Yeshiva, located at the beautiful Fuchsberg Center of the USCJ in the center of Jerusalem, recently completed one of its best Summer Programs ever. Some 90 participants took part in the first three-week session; about 70 in the second session . A score of these stayed for both. Students came from all over the US and Canada, plus Australia, Austria, England, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden and South Africa. The students, as is typical of the CY’s Summer Program, ranged in age from teens to late seventies and reflected a broad variety of outlooks and involvement with Judaism.

One of the Conservative Yeshiva summer ulpan classes

The CY Summer Program again this year was enriched by the presence of some 50 Jewish communal activists (Jewish educators, synagogue officers and administrators, Hillel, JCC and federation employees) who were supported by grants from the Legacy Heritage Foundation Limited . Their study in the Conservative Yeshiva helps enrich them as Jews and will no doubt enhance their work in their home communities on their return.

Walking from the Conservative Yeshiva to the Old City
to pray at the "Kotel Masorti"

The students said over and over that the CY Summer Program offers a marvelous combination of intensive Hebrew, Jewish text study and the opportunity to live in Jerusalem, as residents, not as tourists, albeit for a short period. In addition the program includes trips in and around Jerusalem, visits to nature sites and synagogues of special interest. One of the most exciting indicators of the success of the program is the number of “repeaters” including some attending for a third or fourth time. And when they bring their spouses to join them, as several did this year, we know we must be doing something right.

The Conservative Yeshiva’s Summer Program for 2010 will take place in sessions June 27 – July 15 and July 18 – August 5. It’s never to early to think about or tell a friend. Information can be found at www.ConservativeYeshiva.org or by contacting yeshiva@uscj.org.

Some Highlights
The Conservative Yeshiva Year Program

The Year Program began on September 1, 2009. The Conservative Yeshiva is a MASA program - grants and scholarships are available to students aged 18-30 from the U.S. and most other countries. And through the Legacy Heritage Fund, we have generous scholarships for the coming year for students from outside North America!

Spring Semester for College Juniors
The Conservative Yeshiva has a wonderful program for college juniors - The Discover Jerusalem Semester, Spring 2010, a combination of intense study of Jewish texts plus several unique classes about Jerusalem experienced in the classroom and in the streets, alleys and courtyards, all within the warm, supportive religious community of the Conservative Yeshiva. Please encourage any college juniors you know to consider this program.

On-Line Learning: Two ten week courses and an experimental workshop begin online the week of October 18, 2009. Students of all Hebrew and Jewish learning backgrounds welcome!

1. Study Talmud Along With the Conservative Yeshiva - Baba Kamma chapter 8
Rabbi Mordechai Silverstein (Ten Week Course)

2. Take a look at Judaism...from the other side of the looking glass:
An Introduction to the Zohar - the 'Bible' of Kabbalah
Dr. Shaiya Rothberg (Ten Week Course)

3. Mekorot veDeot (Sources and Ideas): Ancient Texts, Contemporary Theology - An Experimental Workshop
Dr. Shaiya Rothberg

On-line learning course descriptions

8 Agron Street, Jerusalem
Telephone (02) 625 - 6386, Fax (02) 623 - 4127
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7456
Jerusalem, 94265
E-Mail: Rabbi Ed Romm
www.uscj.org.il
© 2009