Available Special Programs

Spring Semester Program for Bible Translators

We offer this six-month program in partnership with the Home for Bible Translators. As a participant, you’ll enjoy a welcoming, supportive atmosphere where you can deepen your knowledge of the Hebrew Bible. This program is ideal for English-speaking translators and consultants with basic knowledge of Hebrew.

University of Navarra – International Relations of the Middle East and the Maghreb Program

This program offers students a thorough understanding of the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, marked by significant transformations and novel strategic alliances. It delves into the root causes of these changes within their historical context, providing valuable insights into the region’s shifting security dynamics.

Intensive Ladino program

Ladino, the traditional language of Sephardic Jews, is now endangered and primarily spoken in Israel and Turkey. The Ladino International Summer School offers a three-week intensive program to introduce students to Ladino language and the vibrant culture shaped by its speakers over centuries.

University of Chicago: Jerusalem in Middle Eastern Civilizations

We partner with the University of Chicago to offer a spring-quarter Jerusalem program so that University of Chicago students can study Middle Eastern civilizations in one of the world’s most fascinating cities. As a UChicago student participating in this program, you’ll also take a fourth course in practical Modern Hebrew or Arabic language at the appropriate level.

The Asper International Program on Israeli Law and Society (Mishpatim)

In this three-week seminar, we provide Canadian business and law students with an overview of the contemporary Israeli legal system, while broadening understanding of the major social and economic challenges Israel has tackled in recent years.

InnovNation

InnovNation is a special program that seeks to introduce students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from all over the globe to Israel’s booming high-tech industries and wealth of creativity. As a participant in this course, you’ll combine theoretical know-how with the insights and experience of Israel’s top innovative companies and entrepreneurs to reach a new understanding of innovation.

Institute for Education in International Media (ieiMedia): The Jerusalem Project

Don’t just see the world…cover it! Go beyond the headlines and get the real story on Israel in this hands-on, four-week international reporting program in Jerusalem, one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the world. You’ll learn how to develop sources, conduct interviews, and work with an interpreter to report on the city around you.

Transdisciplinary Innovation Program (TIP)

The Transdisciplinary Innovation Program (TIP) is a new, cutting-edge international program that provides an intense educational experience integrating computer vision, big data/cyber, and bioengineering. This program offers you an unprecedented opportunity to personally interact with Nobel laureates, to work in heterogeneous teams under the mentorship of leading scientists and entrepreneurs, and to pitch ideas to investors.

Michigan State University: Jewish Studies Summer Program

In this customized program, you’ll learn about and experience the history, politics, society, and culture of Israel. You can take one RIS summer course followed by an MSU faculty-led seminar to earn eight credits in the arts, humanities, or social sciences while living and studying in Jerusalem! Students from MSU and other colleges or universities are welcome. You can apply through MSU and transfer the credits to your home institution.

Trauma & Resilience: Theory & Practice from the Israeli Experience

We have teamed up with the METIV Trauma and Crisis Treatment Center to help students and practitioners in the fields of psychology and social work stay abreast of the latest developments in the trauma field, with emphasis on the Israeli perspective and experience.

Hamline University: Conflict Resolution from Religious Traditions

Israel is a diverse society – religiously, politically, and culturally. This blend of cultures inspires a search for both traditional and novel ways of resolving disputes between individuals and communities. As a participant, you’ll be introduced to law and conflict resolution in Jerusalem, provided with a fresh perspective on the interaction of law and religion, and challenged to reexamine your assumptions and beliefs.

Mishpatim Seminar: Israeli & International Law 

This course introduces students to the Israeli legal system, while focusing on current issues at the core of the Israeli legal debate. As a participant, you’ll examine key questions related to the identity of the Israeli state, including Jerusalem; the interaction with the Palestinian population in Israel and in the Occupied Territories; and the status of refugees. You’ll learn in both an academic environment and via several field trips, allowing you to experience first-hand the workings of the Israeli legal system.