Pre-College Summer Program!

The pre-college summer program will provide rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take courses at Hebrew University, live on a residential campus with other teens, and learn about Israel and themselves through both formal and experiential learning adventures.

This program is ideally suited to the serious, motivated student who wants to cultivate their college resume while immersing themselves in the cultural journey of a travel experience.

If you are trying to choose between college credit and global adventure, this is your opportunity to choose both in one impactful summer.

The curriculum is expected to include 2 courses.

Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2 credits, 30 academic hours) Download syllabus here.

Course Description:  

This course will allow participants to learn the fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, skills that are essential in a world where technology is disrupting the world of work. The course will focus on how innovation can be developed and enhanced and then will look at the world of entrepreneurship and how it can be relevant for each and every one of the participants. Throughout the course we will introduce and practice the Lean Startup Model, focusing on how to identify real problems for people and then finding solutions for those problems. The course will combine theoretical knowledge with practical workshops where skills will be developed. Throughout the course the students will build a plan for a real world venture and present that venture.

Performing Jewish Identity in American Musical Theatre (2 credits, 30 academic hours) Download syllabus here.

Course Description:

This course delves into the dynamic interplay between Jewish identity and American musical theater, exploring the representation of Jewish figures, stories and histories in canonical works including Fiddler on the Roof, Parade and Falsettos. Students will be asked to engage with primary and secondary sources through both critical and creative writing. They will learn to analyze these works, understand the historical context in which they were created, and consider them in relation to the course’s central themes of identity, tradition, historical justice, and intersectionality. In parallel, students will also find expression in creative writing assignments inspired by the works. This method provides students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of poetic devices and experiment with writing in a variety of textual forms including poetry, fable, and dialogue. The course invites a personal and theoretical reflection on the ways theatrical narratives shape and challenge cultural understandings of Jewishness. Readings, viewing and writing exercises will prompt students to engage with their own experiences at school, on social media on the news and at home and invite them to process and effectively articulate their thoughts on the subject of being Jewish today through both a personal and academic prism.

Students who successfully complete the program will receive an academic transcript from the Rothberg International School of Hebrew University.

Housing: Students will be housed at the Kiryat Moriah Educational Campus through partnership with the Machon L’Madrichim of the Jewish Agency. This setting allows students to explore the independence of college within a structured and supported framework.

Independence: Living in a dorm setting away from home is an integral part of the experience, providing students with a taste of future university life. This environment encourages students to develop crucial personal skills.

Students will navigate daily responsibilities and manage their personal space, fostering maturity and self-reliance.

Balancing college-level coursework, travel experiences, social life, and personal well-being demands time-management skills essential for success in higher education.

Life outside the Classroom: Beyond the dorms and the lecture hall, Israel becomes your campus. Students participate in curated field trips designed to bring history and culture to life. From navigating the vibrant streets of major cities and exploring ancient historical sites to hiking through the country’s diverse natural landscapes, these excursions offer a firsthand look at the land. Whether in or around Jerusalem or traveling across the country, these experiences provide the context and adventure that define a transformative summer abroad.

Support: In addition to the academic and administrative staff, a dedicated team of madrichim (counselors) and other professional staff will live on and near campus to provide continuous social and emotional support to all students.

Food and Dietary Requirements

All food provided directly by the program is certified Kosher. This standard is maintained at the Kiryat Moriah dining hall and through the use of designated kosher-certified cafes on the Mount Scopus and Givat Ram campuses when vouchers are provided.

We are committed to accommodating dietary requirements. In addition to maintaining a kosher dining hall, we actively address food allergies, medical dietary needs, and vegetarian/vegan preferences. Please notify us of any special dietary needs prior to your arrival so we can ensure suitable arrangements are made.

Any food consumed by students outside of program-provided meals (e.g. during free time) is at the discretion and responsibility of the individual student.

Shabbat Friendly: Welcoming a diverse student population

Shabbat is a central part of the week in Jerusalem and in this program. All activities, transportation, and facilities provided by the program will be Shabbat Friendly and follow the general guidelines for traditional Shabbat observance.

We respect that our students come from diverse backgrounds and aim to offer a range of options for participation.

Prayer: Students will have access to a variety of communal Shabbat prayer services. Participation is always optional.

Activities: Program activities will be planned with respect to and in alignment with Shabbat observance. Travel for a Shabbat away will take place before and after, not during Shabbat. Any required travel during Shabbat will be on foot (walking distance). Planned activities on Shabbat will not require any writing, use of electronics, etc.

Communal Spaces: Certain communal spaces will be designated Shabbat Friendly and the use of electronics or other non-Shabbat friendly activities will be restricted from these areas.

Private Spaces: We ask about your Shabbat observance on the housing form and will do our best to accommodate requests around observance. Students will decide together, as a group of roommates, what they are comfortable with in terms of observance in the privacy of their room.

Rising high school juniors and seniors (current sophomores or juniors) with a high level of academic curiosity and motivation are encouraged to apply. 

Acceptance will be based on submitted application materials and a personal interview.

Application fee: $120.00
Course Tuition: $12,500 $6500.00
Housing: Included in tuition.

Course Tuition:

Thanks to the generous funding of the American Friends of Hebrew University, we are able to offer a limited number of $6,000 automatic scholarships for accepted applicants from the US and Canada. Students who accept these scholarships will be asked to write a thank-you note to AFHU.

Housing at the Kiryat Moriah Educational Campus of the Jewish Agency is mandatory for this program and included in tuition.

Scholarships

A limited number of partial subsidies and scholarships based on demonstrated need or merit may be available.

Also learn more about our scholarships and financial aid

Referral Discount

Encourage a friend to apply! If your friend lists you, by name, as the friend who referred them on the “how did you hear about us” survey form in the application, and your friend is accepted and attends the program, we will apply a $500 referral discount to your tuition. (Up to one referral discount per accepted applicant.)

Additional needs based financial aid is available by application

Safety and Security  

What is the security protocol? Situational awareness and general guidelines for safety are reviewed with students during orientation. We remain in constant contact with security personnel and are prepared to adjust programming routes, or locations (even at the last minute) should the local security situation require a change.  

What are the rules for exploring Jerusalem? Guidelines regarding what areas may or may not be explored are provided during student orientation at the beginning of the program. Within the guidelines, students are encouraged to explore their new surroundings and enjoy what Jerusalem has to offer. Guidlines include the Buddy System and a Check-in/Check-Out procedure. Students may only leave the residential campus in pairs or groups, students may not leave alone. Every student must check out with a staff member before departing and check back in, physically, upon return.  

Is there a curfew? If a student is off campus for any reason, including free time, the curfew to check in, physically, with a staff member is 10:00pm. 

Housing & Daily Life  

Where will students be living? We will be housing the Pre-College Summer Program at the Kiryat Moriah Residential Campus in Arnona.  There will be other summer programs housed during overlapping times at this campus.  

What are the dorms like: Rooms typically house four students per room. Each student will have their own bed, desk, and closet space. We recommend rolling duffle bags or other collapsible luggage for easier storage (under beds). There is a shower/bathroom in each dorm room. There is a mini fridge in each dorm room. There are multiple common areas for socializing, group study, etc. Students will be roomed with other students from our program.  

What bedding is provided? Sheets and pillowcases, one pillow and a lightweight summer blanket, as well as one towel per person will be provided.  

Can students do laundry there? Yes. There are coin-operated laundry machines at Kiryat Moriah and a change machine if they don’t have 5 shekel coins on hand.  

How do students get from Kiryat Moriah to class? A private, chaperoned bus picks students up at Kiryat Moriah after breakfast and transports them directly to either Mt. Scopus or Givat Ram for their academic classes. A private, chaperoned bus picks students up on the relevant academic campus after lunch or after class and returns them to Kiryat Moriah or to the location of their next supervised activity.  

Food and Dietary Requirements 

Is the food kosher? All food provided directly by the program is certified Kosher. This standard is maintained at the Kiryat Moriah dining hall and through the use of kosher-certified cafes on the Mount Scopus and Givat Ram campuses when meal vouchers are provided. 

We are committed to accommodating dietary requirements. In addition to maintaining a kosher dining hall, we actively address food allergies, medical dietary needs, and vegetarian/vegan preferences. Please notify us of any special dietary needs prior to your arrival so we can ensure suitable arrangements are made. 

Any food consumed by students outside of program-provided meals (e.g. during free time) is at the discretion and responsibility of the individual student. 

Shabbat Friendly: Welcoming a diverse student population 

What is Shabbat like on the program? Shabbat is a central part of the week in Jerusalem and in this program. All activities, transportation, and facilities provided by the program will be Shabbat Friendly and follow the general guidelines for traditional Shabbat observance. 

We respect that our students come from diverse backgrounds and aim to offer a range of options for participation. 

Are their prayers/services? Students will have access to a variety of neighborhood Shabbat prayer services. Participation is optional. 

Activities? Program activities will be planned with respect to, and in alignment, with Shabbat observance. Travel for a Shabbat away will take place before and after, not during Shabbat. Any required travel during Shabbat will be on foot (walking distance). Planned activities on Shabbat will not require any writing, use of electronics, etc. 

Communal Spaces? In designated Shabbat friendly spaces, the use of electronics or other non-Shabbat friendly activities will be restricted. The campus is large enough to allow students to respect the diversity both within our group and other groups using the campus.  

Private Spaces? We do our best to accommodate housing requests around observance. Students will decide together, as a group of roommates, what they are comfortable with in terms of observance in the privacy of their room. 

Tuition & Credits:  

Does tuition include airfare? No. Airfare is not included. Contact information for our travel agent will be provided to families of accepted students who would like their student on a chaperoned group flight. 

Is insurance included? Yes. Basic health insurance for illness and injury is included. Accepted students will be sent an enrollment form for insurance. Families wishing to extend insurance for some number of days before or after the program dates will have information on how to contact the insurance provider to extend the existing policy. 

What happens if the program gets cancelled? If the program is cancelled for any reason (low enrollment, world health crisis, security reasons, etc) tuition will be fully refundable.   

How do I get a copy of my transcript: Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to receive a Rothberg International School Hebrew University transcript. Paper and/or online transcripts can be requested through the Hebrew University website. 

How many copies can I get? Students can get up to 3 free copies of their transcript within the first 6 months after completing the program. More information is available here. 

Will my college or university accept these credits? Hebrew University is a fully accredited, top 100-ranked University. Students have successfully transferred credit from Hebrew University to colleges and universities around the world. Final decisions on transfer credit are up to the home/receiving institution. If you have a specific question regarding if or how your credits may transfer, they should be addressed to the home/receiving institution.