Kesher Hadash: Semester in Israel Program

Are you passionate about Israel engagement? The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education is now offering a selective, fully funded program of study in Israel open to both Davidson School students and participants from outside The Jewish Theological Seminary.

A select group will receive the opportunity to live and study in Israel while gaining expertise in Israel Education. This innovative and intensive program is fully funded for eligible students by The Davidson School and the Jim Joseph Foundation.

In addition to the fully funded program, The Davidson School also provides:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • $1,500 living stipend
  • $3,000 housing stipend

 

Academic Courses. Explore cutting-edge approaches to teaching about Israel, study alongside Israeli citizens, and deepen your knowledge of Israel's culture, history, and politics. Academic courses include:

  • The State of Israel: Origins, Early History—Provides students with the tools by which to understand Israeli society: its ideological origins, its pre-state history, and the major voices and schisms today.
  • Contemporary Israel in Contemporary Jewish Education—An exploration of the philosophical and educational significance of Israel for Jews today, providing an expansive introduction to varied questions relating to Israel Education.
  • Curriculum and Program Implementation—Includes visits to Israeli schools and study of Israeli curriculum.
  • Diversity in Israeli Society at the David Yellin Academic College of Education—An intra-cultural workshop in which American Jewish, Israeli Jewish, and Palestinian-Israeli students discuss questions of identity, religion, and nationality.

An Experiential Program. Students explore every facet of Israeli society through diverse experiences, engaging in challenging discussions with Israelis on shabbatonim and participating in trips that address pivotal topics in contemporary Israeli life. Programs include:

  • Gush Etzion: Voices of the Settler Movement
  • Bethlehem: An Encounter Experience
  • Kibbutz Lotan: An Israeli Reform Community and Ecological Education Site
  • Kibbutz Hannaton: A Self-Renewing Israeli Conservative Community
  • Yad Vashem Through Different Eyes: The Place of the Shoah in Israeli Identity
  • Har Herzl: A Case Study for Educational Narratives
  • The Conservative Yeshiva: A Seminar on Jewish Pluralism
  • The Alma Institute: The Secular Jewish Cultural Renaissance
  • Mea Shearim: An Exploration of Haredi Society in Israel

Hebrew Immersion. Experience a radical new approach to Hebrew language instruction and take part in social activism.

Living in Israel. Enjoy daily life in beautiful South Jerusalem and spend Shabbatot at the remarkable new pluralistic community of Kibbutz Hanaton.

Individual Growth and Development: Each student is assigned a tutor to help synthesize the experiences of learning in Israel.

For a window into the experiences of participants, read the Kesher Hadash blog.

Applying to Kesher Hadash

Space is limited. The priority deadline is March 1. The secondary deadline is May 1.

Students will be notified of a decision shortly thereafter, and must decide whether to enroll in Kesher Hadash by June 30. A rolling admissions process is offered subsequent to the above deadlines.

Download the Kesher Hadash application for non-MA applicants.

MA applicants should complete the MA Application, which includes the Kesher Hadash Section.

Read about Kesher Hadash in the Press

The Davidson School's new Kesher Hadash Israel Program is "Bringing Israel Education Home" in the Jewish Daily Forward.

The Jewish Week features The Davidson School's Israel program in "Kesher Hadash: Forging Their Own 'New Connection.'"