Jerusalem2022-23

The usefulness of this handbook depends on student input.

If you nd erroneous information, please contact ov[email protected].

Jerusalem2022-23

Study Abroad Handbook

A useful guide to your

study abroad experience

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What's Inside?

Program Contacts ............................................................................................. 5

Program Introduction ........................................................................................ 6

The Program in Jerusalem

Academic Program ........................................................................................... 8

Academic Advising ....................................................................................... 8

Course Load in Jerusalem ........................................................................... 9

*Ulpan ........................................................................................................10

**Hebrew Language Course ...................................................................11

Auditing .......................................................................................................12

Jewish Studies Requirement ....................................................................13

Jewish Studies Major ................................................................................. 13

Jewish Studies Certicate .........................................................................13

E-mail ...............................................................................................................15

Grades .............................................................................................................13

Hebrew University ............................................................................................. 8

International Flight ........................................................................................... 7

Internship Options ...........................................................................................13

Jerusalem .......................................................................................................... 8

Libraries .......................................................................................................... 14

Tentative 2022 - 23 Calendar* ........................................................................ 7

Transcript ......................................................................................................... 15

Visa..................................................................................................................... 8

Life in Jerusalem

Employment ..................................................................................................... 20

Getting Around Israel ......................................................................................19

Health Insurance ............................................................................................. 17

Housing ............................................................................................................16

IU Hosts in Jerusalem .....................................................................................15

Meals ............................................................................................................... 17

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What's Inside?

Medical Care ................................................................................................... 17

Packing ............................................................................................................21

Religion ............................................................................................................21

Security ............................................................................................................ 21

Shopping ..........................................................................................................20

Student Activities ............................................................................................18

Telephones ......................................................................................................20

IU HOSTS IN JERUSALEM

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Israeli Address: Rothberg International School

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Boyar Building, Mount Scopus

9190501 Jerusalem, ISRAEL

Telephone: 011-972-2-588-2628;

(02) 588-2600 (calling within Israel)

U.S. Address: Ofce of Academic Affairs

Rothberg International School

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

199 Water St., 11th Floor

New York, NY 10038

U.S. Telephone: (212) 607-8520

E-mail: hebrewu@hebrewu.org

Website: http://overseas.huji.ac.il

Address: Terry Cohen Hendin

13 Daniel Yanovsky St., Apt.6

Jerusalem

Cell phone: 011-972-50-735-8911;

(050) 735-8911 (calling within Israel)

E-mail: [email protected]

Student

Advice

ICONS IN THIS GUIDE

Suggestions from study

abroad returnees

Helpful

Program

Information

Information to help prepare

you for study abroad

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

For over 50 years Indiana University has sent its students to the Rothberg

International School of Hebrew University for IU credit. Indiana University

selects, advises and orients you for the experience at Hebrew University and for

getting credit for your work abroad. You will also receive extensive pre-departure

information from Hebrew University’s New York ofce, and in Israel you will have

access to the advising and administrative services provided by the Rothberg

International School (RIS).

If you have questions while you are abroad, contact Mel Wanninger

(mwanning@iu.edu). If you are e-mailing with academic questions,

always copy your major advisor(s).

By participating in the program, we expect you to exercise your best judgment

and to follow the advice of the Ofce of Overseas Study and the Rothberg School

of Hebrew University, although recognizing that in spite of such advice, neither

can guarantee your safety.

Should you decide to come home before the end of the program because of

security concerns, there is no guarantee that you will receive credit or a refund

of tuition or any other fees paid for study abroad from Hebrew University or IU.

We would assist you to the extent possible to return to IU should your safety be

compromised.

This booklet is a supplement to the Getting Started handbook. While it contains

specic program information, Getting Started contains information relevant to

all students on Indiana University Overseas Study programs. Both the Getting

Started Handbook and the Jerusalem Handbook should be used now as you

prepare to leave and later while you are abroad. Since most student questions

are addressed in these handbooks, please consult them before calling the

Ofce of Overseas Study.

This handbook is available on the Web at http://overseas.iu.edu/docs/

Handbooks/jerusalem-huj.pdf. The Getting Started handbook is also available

on the Web at http://overseas.iu.edu/docs/gettingstarted.html.

The Program in Jerusalem

Tentative 2022 -23 Calendar*

Arrival date for fall/AY students ........................................................ August 26

September Ulpan (Non-Dance) ......................................August 26 - October 6

Rosh Hashanah.................................... .................................... September 6 - 8

Yom Kippur ...........................................................................September 15 - 16

Succoth vacation ..................................................................September 20 - 28

Autumn semester begins ..................................................................October 10

Christmas Vacation ...................................................................... December 25

Chanukah vacation .................................................................... No dates listed

Autumn semester ends................................................................ December 19

Modern Hebrew Language Final Exam ....................................... December 20

Final exam week......................................................................December 21-22

Intersession (winter break) ........................................................ No dates listed

Dance Jerusalem ends ....................................................................... January 8

Arrival date for spring students ........................................................ February 6

Winter Ulpan ...............................................................................February 7 - 23

Spring semester begins .................................................................. February 28

Purim vacation ................................................................................. March 7 - 8

Passover vacation ............................................................................. April 2 - 15

Memorial and Independence Day vacation...................................April 25 - 26

Shavuot Vacation ............................................................................. May 25 -26

Spring semester ends (Modern Hebrew only) ........................................ June 1

Final exam week..................................................................................June 5 - 6

Spring semester ends (other tracks) ....................................................June 30

*These dates are subject to change. Before making ight arrangements, check the dates online

with the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University.

International Flight

You may make your own travel arrangements or participate in the group ight from New

York arranged by Hebrew University. You will receive ight details from Rothberg near

the departure date for the program. A chartered bus meets the group ight and takes

students to the dormitories.

Visa

Students attending a program in Israel for a semester or longer must apply for an A-2

Student Visa. Apply for your visa immediately upon notication of acceptance by the

Rothberg International School/Hebrew University.

You will receive visa application information in the pre-departure documentation that

RIS/HU will send you upon acceptance. First, review this detailed information carefully.

Then, nd your local Consulate at http://www.israelemb.org and click on the link for

“Diplomatic Missions of Israel in the US.” Complete visa instructions and application

forms are found on the Consulates’ web sites. Contact the Israeli Consulate nearest

you if you have questions and to make your visa application appointment, if required.

You may also contact RIS/HU for assistance.

Your application will be processed upon receipt of all required items; you should allow

a minimum of three weeks.

Students with Israeli passports are not eligible for a student visa and must travel on

your Israeli passport. If you do not have an Israeli passport, you must obtain one prior

to your departure. Contact your Consulate for details.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem, the Holy City of the three great monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity,

and Islam), is about 4,000 years old. It has been the heart of Judaism since King David

made it the capital of Israel around 1,000 BCE. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many

times as rulers and kingdoms have changed throughout its long history. Following the

establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Jerusalem was declared its capital city

and today houses Israel's main administrative and cultural institutions. Jerusalem's

population is about 950,000.

Hebrew University

Hebrew University was opened in 1925 on Mount Scopus, with a spectacular view

of the old city on one side and the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea on the other.

When Jerusalem was divided in 1948, the Mount Scopus campus remained in Arab

territory, so a second Hebrew University campus was built at Givat Ram in west

Jerusalem. In 1967, as a result of the reunication of the two sections of Jerusalem,

rapid redevelopment of the Mount Scopus campus began. Today most departments

are located there in a dramatic series of connected buildings perched atop the hill,

which constitutes the eastern perimeter of Jerusalem. A direct bus line connects the

Givat Ram and Mount Scopus campuses. IU students will study on the Mount Scopus

campus and live in the K'far HaStudentim (student village), which is in walking distance

of the campus.

Academic Program

Academic Advising

You can search for courses offered at the Rothberg International School (RIS) on-line

at https://overseas.huji.ac.il/academics/undergraduate-programs. Upon acceptance,

your study abroad advisor will e-mail you overseas advising instructions. The advising

process will include meetings with your major advisor(s) and study abroad advisor to

conrm your current academic progress, to make tentative plans for the courses you will

take abroad, and to determine courses remaining once you return to IU.

The Rothberg School’s course offerings may change at the last minute, so the courses

you discussed with advisors in Bloomington may not be offered when you arrive. You

will also have a "shopping period" during the rst week of classes in which you can visit

the classes you plan to take before committing to them. Consult your school or college’s

Bulletin, your Overseas Study advising plan, and your Advisement Report on One.IU as

you select alternate courses. If you deviate away from courses you planned to take on

your Overseas advising plan or have questions regarding academics, please consult

Overseas Study (o[email protected]). If you are a Jewish Studies major, minor, Hebrew

minor, or certicate student, please also copy Carolyn Lipson-Walker (clipsonw@

indiana.edu) and your major advisor(s) on the message. If you are planning to take

a Hebrew language course, also copy Ayelet Weiss (ayw[email protected]), Director

of the IU Hebrew Program.

Registration: RIS/Hebrew University registration is not computerized. You'll have an

individual meeting with an academic advisor at RIS and your advisor will enroll you after

all paperwork is completed.

Course Equivalencies: Final determination of IUB credits and course equivalencies will

be completed mostly upon your return. Bring all course materials back with you. Many

departments need to see course syllabi and other materials (assignments, corrected

papers, reading lists, and exams) to assess the appropriate equivalencies at IUB. To

nd out whether courses have already been pre-equated, contact Overseas Study at

[email protected]. The most important thing that you can do is to be in communication

about the courses you are taking with both your major advisor at IU and study abroad

advisor before, during, and after your time abroad. When you nalize your courses for the

semester, send a list, with full titles, to your major advisor/s, Carolyn Lipson-Walker

(if you are a Jewish Studies major certicate, minor, or Hebrew minor student), and to

[email protected]. Use the same procedure if you have academic questions or concerns

while you are abroad.

Course Load in Jerusalem

All students will take a Pre-Semester Course for the rst several weeks. Students must

take a Hebrew Language course as either the Pre-Semester option or the full-semester

course option. Depending on your selected term and program track, students will take

a different combination of courses during the semester. Regular classes at Hebrew

University begin in October and conclude at the end of June. The academic year is

divided into two semesters, but most regular Hebrew University courses extend for the

full academic year.

Courses in the Rothberg International School are generally one semester long with nal

examinations in December and late May or early June (see calendar on p. 7 for precise

dates). Depending on the selected term and program track, students will devote 16-20

classroom hours per week to studies chosen from ve main categories:

1) Hebrew language courses

2) Special courses in English for overseas students, including courses in Judaic

studies, history, sociology, folklore, political science, literature and psychology.

3) Courses in Hebrew for overseas students who have completed Hebrew level

Dalet;

4) Regular university courses in Hebrew for students with working knowledge

of Hebrew or regular university courses taught in English within a variety of

disciplines.

5) Courses for specic tracks.

IU students are required to take the minimum amount of courses as follows:

Academic-year students:

• One pre-semester course per term

• During Fall (4 courses): 1 Hebrew language course, 1 Jewish or Israeli studies

course, and 2 other courses.

• During Spring (4 courses): 1 Hebrew language course, 1 Jewish or Israeli studies

course, and 2 other courses

Fall-only students:

• One per-semester course

• 3-4 courses: 1 Hebrew language course, 1 Jewish or Israeli studies course, and

1-2 other courses.

Spring-only students:

• One pre-semester course

• 3-4 courses: 1 Hebrew language course, 1 Jewish or Israeli studies course, and

1-2 other courses.

Dance Jerusalem:

• One pre-semester course and Israeli Choreographers Repertoire Workshop

(academic year or fall-only students)

• One pre-semester course and Israeli Choreographers Repertoire Workshop

(spring-only students)

• Dance courses from a variety of modern and contemporary course offerings

• 2 RIS Courses per semester (including one Jewish or Israeli studies course per

semester)

Art Jerusalem:

• One pre-semester course

• Art Courses

• 1-3 RIS Courses depending on level in Art Program

Both Jewish Studies Certicate and Major Students

must be advised by the Jewish Studies advisor prior

to departure from Bloomington.

Helpful

Program

Information

Please note that IU is not bound by the amount of credits recommended by HU for

your classes. Further, Overseas Study has a limited number of credits they can award

students abroad. IU generally awards the number of credits carried by the equivalent

IU course in Bloomington (unless the HU course meets for considerably fewer contact

hours than its IU equivalent). If you plan to take more courses than outlined above,

you must clear it rst through the Ofce of Overseas Study.

Hebrew Language Course

IU requires you to take a Hebrew language course each semester, including dance

students. This may differ from rules at RIS or for students studying in Jerusalem from other

U.S. institutions. Your placement for the semester will depend on your Hebrew prociency

at the end of a placement test taken upon arrival. Students who test at the Dalet level

or above may opt to take content courses in Hebrew during the semester to fulll the

language requirement.

Hebrew Credit: Regular semester-long Hebrew language courses are normally

equivalent to 3-4 IUB credits per semester. Intensive semester-long Hebrew language

courses may earn students more credit.

IUB Credit for Pre-Semester and Semester Hebrew Language Course

Students participating in the Practical Hebrew Pre-Semester Course and the required

semester language course will typically receive credit for one semester of Hebrew

(H100, H150, H200, H250, etc.) and elective foreign study credit for Ulpan (H196,

H296, H396, or H496) or vice versa. Most students do not advance quickly enough

during the pre-semester course and one semester to receive two semesters of Hebrew

credit at IUB. If you are placed at a lower language level than expected, you will receive

the elective credit as described above. If you choose to only take the Practical Hebrew

Pre-Semester Course JSTU-OS 100 is the maximum credit that can be earned for the

course.

Students studying at RIS/Hebrew University for an academic year typically receive

credit for two semesters of Hebrew at IUB, although that is not guaranteed. If you take

Hebrew courses and complete them with a minimum grade of C+, then you might

earn some automatic Hebrew credit under the following circumstances:

To receive automatic Hebrew credit, students MUST take and successfully pass the

level exam for their respective level. The level exam is only offered at the end of the

semester, upon the successful completion of that level. The level exam is different

than the nal of the course. It is necessary to specically register for the level exam at

the beginning of the course in order to take this exam at the end of the semester. Only

courses which complete the level will offer the level exam. For example, a student who

places into level Gimel should take the "Gimel-upper Intermediate Part II" course and

pass the level Gimel exam, in order to automatically receive the 300-level credit at IUB.

Students who choose not to take these courses which offer the level exam for their level,

or do not pass the level exam, will be required to take a Hebrew Prociency Exam at IUB

in order to receive distributed Hebrew credits. To meet this requirement, students must

contact the Hebrew Program at IU directly.

In all other cases, in order to earn Hebrew language credit, you must upon returning

to IUB, apply for such credit by submitting your course materials to the Modern

Hebrew Language Program Director at IUB. This includes the ofcial syllabus and

course description for each of the courses taken at HU, your ofcial transcript, the

notes, assignments and exams completed in each course, and any books and handouts

that you used. If you are unable to submit all of these materials, you should submit as

much of them as you can; however, as your credit distribution would be determined

by the actual materials submitted, you are encouraged to supplement the lacking

materials by taking the Hebrew prociency exam, which is offered every semester at

IUB. The Hebrew Program will determine the nal Hebrew credit distribution for you. For

additional details on how to apply for credit, please see https://jewishstudies.indiana.

edu/hebrew/index.shtml#credit.

Any Hebrew language courses (Hebrew Semester Course only) which are not awarded

JSTU Hebrew credit will be awarded elective credit in JSTU (i.e. JSTU-H 196, 296, 396,

496: Foreign Study Hebrew) based on the level of courses taken at HU. These courses

are counted toward graduation hours, but NOT toward a Jewish Studies major, certicate,

minor, or Hebrew minor. Nor do they fulll the foreign language requirement at IUB.

It is highly recommended that students meet with the Modern Hebrew Program Director

(ayw[email protected]) to discuss their planned course of action for their Hebrew

language studies at Hebrew University in order to guarantee that they maximize the

possible Hebrew credit they could earn while in Jerusalem.

NOTES:

1) Extensive coursework in Hebrew does not automatically satisfy requirements

for an IU minor in Hebrew. If you wish to declare a Hebrew minor, discuss your

course of study with the advisor in Jewish Studies prior to going to Israel to

determine which courses will satisfy major requirements. The Hebrew language

classes of the program do not count towards the ve advanced courses

required for the Hebrew major. If you are majoring in Hebrew, you should count

on taking an advanced course in Hebrew upon your return to IU.

2) For requirements and other information about the Hebrew minor, please

consult https://jewishstudies.indiana.edu/undergraduates/hebrew.shtml.

Pass/Fail

Pass/Fail is NOT an option for Indiana University students at Hebrew University. All

courses (including the pre-semester course) must be taken for a letter grade.

Auditing

Hebrew University generally allows students to audit classes, but does not grant

credit for auditing. A student may only audit a course that is in addition to minimum

required courses.

Jewish Studies Requirement

Each participant is required by Hebrew University to take at least one course each

semester in Jewish or Israeli studies. A wide range of courses is offered including

biblical studies, history, archaeology, folklore, literature, religious thought, political

science, and art. If you wish to have HU credits count toward a Jewish Studies major

certicate, minor, or Hebrew minor, meet with the IU Jewish Studies advisor (812-855-

9683) and sign up for either the major certicate, minor, or Hebrew minor in Jewish

Studies prior to departing the Bloomington campus. If you have questions regarding

the major or certicate, minor, or Hebrew minor, while in Jerusalem, you may contact

the advisor at [email protected].

Jewish Studies Major

Jewish Studies majors should remember that required courses JSTU-J 251 and, JSTU-J

252 cannot be taken at HU, but must be completed on the IUB campus. For the B.A.

in Jewish Studies, a minimum of 10 credit hours of coursework in Jewish Studies must

be taken on the Bloomington campus. Credit received for JSTU-H 196, H 296, H 396,

and H 496 during study at HUJ cannot be used toward a major certicate or minor. It is

elective credit. Jewish studies majors are encouraged to take at least one course with

a Jewish Studies faculty member during their senior year.

Jewish Studies Certicate

Credit received for JSTU H196, H296, H396, and H496 during study at HU cannot be

used toward a major, certicate, minor, or Hebrew major.

Internship Options

Academic Internship

The Rothberg International School offers the option of a 1-credit internship. Please

contact the Rothberg ofce in Jerusalem if you have questions about this option.

Grades

The scale for converting Hebrew University grades to IU grades is:*

*Please note that the Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance uses the same grading

88-100 ............................ A

85-87 ..............................A-

82-84 ..............................B+

78-81 ..............................B

75-77 ..............................B-

72-74 ...............................C+

68-71 ..............................C

65-67 ..............................C-

60-64 ..............................D+

55-59 ..............................D

50-54 ..............................D-

00-49 ..............................F

scale as Indiana University.

Libraries

The Judah L. Berger Memorial Library & Mekler-Benenson Families Reference Library is

located in the Boyar Building where at least one textbook and recommended readings

for all courses are kept on reserve. The library serves the academic units of the RIS and

contains publications in various languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian

and Hebrew, reecting the diverse student body at the School. The library’s main elds

of interest are Jewish Studies, Israel Studies, and the Middle East, although many other

subjects in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences are also represented.

The library includes a lending library service open only to students enrolled at the

School, a computerized catalog linked to the Aleph network, enabling students to

search additional university catalogs as well, and a reading room with reserve book

service. Access to other databases and to the Internet is also available. The RIS library

has 30 public ports for connecting laptops, and wireless internet is also available. The

Berger Memorial Library on Mount Scopus serves the academic units of the Rothberg

International School and contains publications in various languages.

The Jewish National and University Library on the Givat Ram campus (45 minutes

by bus from Mount Scopus) has reading rooms for general studies, Judaic studies,

AfroAsian studies, ne arts, and music, and a reading room for microlms. It has some

resources in English and is a good place to study, but the English language books must

be used at the library and cannot be checked out. Students must rst request the texts

and may not obtain them for several hours.

English libraries at the Hillel House, U.S. Cultural Center, and the British Council at

Terra Sancta are excellent sources for books on international relations and American

and British literature.

Unlike the IU Library, which is open until late at night and has open stacks, the libraries

in Jerusalem are open for limited hours and many have closed stacks. They are closed

on Friday, Saturday and weekday evenings.

Transcript

Before you depart, you must instruct Hebrew University to send your nal transcript

to the Ofce of Overseas Study, 330 North Eagleson Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405.

Your grades may be delayed if you do not submit this address to the appropriate ofce

at the Rothberg School.

Each student who takes Hebrew courses at the Rothberg School should receive a

for mal Final Hebrew Level letter. This letter must be attached to your transcript and

sent directly to the Ofce of Overseas Study in order for you to receive automatic

Hebrew credits at IUB. Please make sure to request that RIS send this letter on

your behalf along with your ofcial transcript; without this formal nal-Hebrew-level

conrmation from HUJ, your Hebrew credit transfer could signicantly be delayed.

E-mail

All Rothberg International School students who have paid their tuition and submitted a

class schedule are eligible to receive a free e-mail account. There is also free wireless

Internet access across campus. Internet is provided with tuition in the dormitories.

Detailed information will be given to you in Israel.

Life in Jerusalem

IU Hosts in Jerusalem

IU has arranged for someone familiar with both Bloomington and Jerusalem to serve

as a special friend and contact for IU students in Jerusalem in order to introduce you

to people and places you might not otherwise nd in Israel. Since 1999, Terry and

Ron Hendin, both graduates of IU, have served in that capacity and are delighted to

welcome you to Jerusalem and invite you to social events at their home.

The Rothberg School will handle emergency situations and health concerns. Overseas

Study, in conjunction with Jewish Studies, will provide academic advising. But feel free

to contact the Hendins with any questions or other concerns you might have during your

stay in Jerusalem. They have many years of experience working with American students

abroad and are an excellent resource for you since they also know Bloomington and

your IU experience.

Housing

On-campus Housing:

Most IU students choose to live in the HU Student Village apartments about 15

minutes walking distance from campus in the French Hill neighborhood. The

apartments include 5 individual rooms with shared living space including one shower,

two toilets, living room, and kitchen. The unfurnished kitchen has a refrigerator, stove

(no oven), and sink. The Student Village is also walking distance to the sports complex

(see Student Activities section). Internet access is provided as part of the housing

fee. A small convenience store is available for items you may need, instead of taking

a bus into the city center. The Student Village is equipped with central heating, air

conditioning, hot water, and a laundry facility. Madrachim (the equivalent to RAs) live

in the Student Village or nearby and serve as a support resource for students during

their time at HUJ.

Facilities in the Student Village consist of dormitories with double rooms or apartments

shared by six individuals (any mix of Americans, Israelis or others). There are common

restroom and shower facilities at the end of the hallway and a common living area for

everyone on that oor. Students who observe kashruth and are shomrei Shabbat can

request to live with other observant students

Each dorm has laundry sinks and clotheslines in the basement. On campus and in

town you will nd both self-service laundromats and full-service laundromats where

you can have your clothes washed, dried and folded.

Bedding and towels are not provided, but you can easily purchase towels, sheets, pillow

cases, pillows and blankets—new or used—in Israel. Be sure to have a warm comforter/

The dorm experience is

convenient and a great social

opportunity with both American and

Israeli students. However, many

year students opt to move out

into apartments in various areas

of Jerusalem, which provides a more

"real-life" Israel living experience.

STUDENT ADVICE

quilt for the winter—Mount Scopus is the coldest part of Jerusalem. Departing students

are usually more than willing to sell their things to incoming students.

For the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, students should anticipate

receiving specic COVID-19 mitigation information from the host university.

O-campus Housing:

Renting off-campus housing is also an option. Monthly rent for an individual sharing

an apartment will generally cost US$200-$400, depending upon the size, location, and

amenities of the room/apartment, as well as the number of roommates. When renting

an apartment, students must take into account additional expenses: electricity, water,

gas, municipal taxes (arnona), and the monthly building maintenance fee (va'ad bayit).

Students who do not apply for campus housing by the deadline determined by Rothberg

International School may have no other option than to nd an apartment off-campus.

RlS provides a helpful list to students who nd themselves in that situation.

Meals

Students who observe the laws of kashruth and are shomrei Shabbat can request to

live with other observant students.

Most students purchase groceries and prepare their own meals. There are good grocery

stores within walking distance of the Mount Scopus campus, and large supermarkets

at several locations in the city. Apartments have well-equipped communal kitchens

with limited individual cabinet space and gas burners. There are refrigerators in each

apartment. Kitchens do not have ovens, but you can buy inexpensive "wonder pots" in

market places to use for baking on stove burners, a microwave oven, or a toaster oven.

Student diets include lots of fresh produce, eggs, bread, cheese, and yogurt.

University cafeterias, normally open from breakfast until 5:00 p.m., are subsidized and

very reasonably priced and the food is good. You will pay cash for each meal, since

there is no pre-paid dormitory meal plan. There is also a café in the Rothberg building.

Although students tend to eat at hours more conducive to their class schedule, it is helpful

to know what the local meal customs are. Many Israelis eat a big breakfast early in the

morning, usually cheese, eggs, and fresh vegetables. Mid-morning coffee breaks are the

rule in all ofces and among students at the university. Lunch is the main meal of the day

and usually includes soup, meat, sh or chicken, cooked vegetables, bread

and fruit. Coffee or tea is served again at 4:00

p.m., usually with cake or biscuits, and dinner

is taken at 7:00 p.m. and is usually light

and very similar to breakfast. Jewish dietary

laws are observed in many restaurants in

Jerusalem, except in the non-Jewish parts of

the Old City.

Tourist-class restaurants and hotels

are expensive but sometimes worth it.

Students will nd that they don’t eat quite

like the Israelis because of their student

schedule which requires quicker meals than the usual leisurely Israeli ones.

Health Insurance

Your semester tuition to Hebrew University includes comprehensive medical insurance

through University Medical Services (UMS) policy of Harel Insurance Company Ltd. You

do not have to pay for insurance separately during summer and winter Ulpan.

Medical Care

Medical facilities are available in Jerusalem and Israel. There are provisions for both

emergency treatment and longer-term care. The health insurance company provides a

list of compatible doctors and pharmacies. If you are unsure what doctors or facilities

are approved, call the health insurance company to get a list of nearby locations that

students can use.

Student Activities

There are extensive support activities for students. Tuition includes an activities

package with daily and overnight trips around Jerusalem and Israel. Overseas students

have a membership to the sports complex which includes tennis and basketball courts,

football elds, a running track, a weight-lifting room and cardio machines. Students

who choose this option also have access to a half-sized Olympic swimming pool. The

Rothberg International School solicits participants for volunteer programs that provide

excellent opportunities for students to meet Israelis and practice their spoken Hebrew.

Students can participate on university-sponsored trips using a points system. Some trips

require more points than others do. After all points are used, the student is responsible

for the cost of the trip. However, the points provided as part of the program fee cover a

wide range of options. Overseas Study encourages students to take advantage of these

opportunities as they are cost-effective and safe.

Be sure to join the Student Union (small membership fee), which is concerned with the

social and cultural life of the student and facilitates participation in activities on and around

the campus. Needless to say, Jerusalem is replete with interesting nooks and crannies,

from Old Jerusalem’s fascinating quarters to spectacular museums and holy sites.

Recreation in Jerusalem is also abundant. American movies are plentiful. Israeli movies

are a must for testing your Hebrew, and good entertainment besides, acquainting you

with lifestyles, humor, etc.

Students often stroll around in the Ben Yehuda district, which has a wide variety of

interesting eating establishments and shops. Emek Refaim, the German colony, is

also a great place to hang out. Hillel House and student clubs on campus often show

movies at reduced prices. Hebrew theater is good and widely available in Tel Aviv, Haifa

and Jerusalem. The best listing of leisure activities is the entertainment section of the

English language daily, The Jerusalem Post (https://www.jpost.com), or in the Hebrew

papers. The numerous bulletin boards around the city and university advertise lms

and cultural events.

Make an effort to attend programs

and events, on and off campus.

They are great opportunities to

meet other students and to get

a feel for all that the

Jerusalem

community offers.

STUDENT ADVICE

Tickets can be purchased at the university at discounted prices, and at ticket agencies

in town at a slightly higher price than at the box ofce. Israel is the home of the

Batsheva Dance Company, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Habimah Theater,

and other world-renowned groups. There are usually a handful of rock concerts which

are reasonably priced and fun. Israeli rock music is very popular, so you should go to

a few of those concerts as well. The university also hosts events for several holidays.

Getting Around Israel

Transportation within Israel is relatively cheap, especially with monthly or weekly bus

passes or with special discounts to holders of International Student IDs or Hebrew

University identication. The Hebrew University student activities fee includes trips

within the country, such as a weekend at the Sea of Galilee. These trips are fun and a

good way to begin traveling around Israel and meet other students.

Since Israel is a fairly small country, you are able to reach dramatically different terrain

in a relatively short period of time—from the desert near Beersheva to the hilltop city

of Haifa. And there are an innite number of archaeological sites you should plan on

visiting across the entire country.

Be sure to follow Hebrew University recommendations regarding safety concerns while

traveling within Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel.

Light Rail

A service called "harakevet hakalah" runs throughout Jerusalem. The light rail will take

you from Hebrew University to many locations throughout Jerusalem. There are stops

at the Old City, Ben Yehudah Street, the Shuk and the Central Bus Station. The Light

Rail costs the same as taking a bus, but routes can be more direct. The rail also has

security guards.

Buses

Bus transportation within the cities is excellent and connections between major points

are frequent. At the central bus station there is an information center with an English

speaker always on duty to answer your questions about routes, prices and connections.

Students have reported that the bus (vs. the train) is the preferred method of travel

from Jerusalem to places like the Dead Sea or Eilat, but is not available for travel to

all places.

RavKav

"RavKav" is a reloadable bus and LightRail

travel pass. If you go to the central bus station

with a stamped letter from Hebrew U, you can

get a student RavKav for discounted rides. The

RavKav also provides free transfers between

LightRail and buses for 1.5 hours.

Taxis

Given the security concerns with buses, it is recommended that you use taxis. There are

two types of taxis. Sherut are shared cabs available for long-distance or intra-city travel

by a group going to the same destination. Taxis as we know them are called specials

and are strictly for private hire. Because of safety concerns, some former program

participants recommend students only take the taxis with yellow license plates.

If you take a "special" be sure your fee is being computed by a running meter, or else

negotiate a fee for your destination with the driver before getting in. You shouldn't pay

more than 40 shekels for a cab to downtown, which you will have to bargain for. It is not

customary to tip. Students who don’t speak Hebrew have found themselves deceived

very easily by taxi drivers.

Trains

Students can purchase monthly/annual tickets through the train or bus services in

either Jerusalem or Tel-Aviv. These are good for both the buses and the train that can

also be used on buses in Tel-Aviv. It is possible to take the train to Tel Aviv, but some

students have reported that the bus is much easier. Some students will take a bus from

Jerusalem to the train station in Tel Aviv, and from there travel to places north such as

Zichron Yaakov or further.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in Israel is NOT safe.

Travel outside Israel

If you hope to travel outside of Israel you are strongly encouraged to consult the Hebrew

University staff for advice and safety related information.

The Ben Yehudah area of Jerusalem is lled with English-speaking travel agents who

can assist you in your travels outside Israel whether you want to book an organized

tour (recommended especially for females traveling alone or in small groups to Arab

countries) or plan an individual getaway to Europe. For safety's sake, check the news

before traveling and be aware of world events.

Telephones

Students are strongly encouraged to have an active cell phone throughout the duration

of the program. RIS students are given the option of renting a free phone, though other

options may prove more affordable depending on usage. Most students select one of

the three packages.

• Free phone which can receive RIS calls and text messages at no cost. Outgoing

calls cost $5/day

• SIM card and unlimited communications package (calls, text messages and

internet) for $30/month

. Student must provide an unlocked smartphone.

• Cell phone and unlimited communications package (calls, text messages and

internet) for $42/month

Prices may vary as Hebrew University must renegotiate these packages every year.

Employment

Students who need to supplement their income in Israel may nd employment at

minimum wages although this is NOT recommended. It is also extremely difcult to

obtain work visas, particularly for non-Jewish students.

Shopping

Israeli business hours will vary. The hours of 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00

p.m. to 7:00 p.m. are typical for small privately owned stores or stores in small towns.

It is wise to start your day early while it is still cool. Shopkeepers rest during hot

afternoons, and so should you. However, many stores, especially in a mall, are open

straight through the afternoon and into the evening. Be prepared for stores to close

approximately 20 minutes to a half hour before sundown on Fridays and not reopen

until late Saturday night or Sunday to honor the Jewish Sabbath.

Security

Israel is always ready militarily. You will see soldiers in uniform, and purses and bags

are routinely checked at the entrances of public buildings and gateways to large

gatherings. Airport security has been routinely considered the tightest in the world.

Be prepared to answer many detailed questions, including some about your personal

life and why you will be in Israel for a long period of time. Never leave your luggage out

of your sight, since one of the main concerns of security personnel will be that your

luggage may have been tampered with. Never agree to take to (or from) Israel, as a

favor, a package, suitcase or envelope for a stranger, friend or relative.

Hebrew University will brief you on security issues during orientation and will administer

guidelines regarding safety precautions.

If the State Department issues an announcement regarding safety in Israel or makes

a change to the current Travel Advisory during your time abroad, the Ofce of Overseas

Study will bring it to your attention. Due to the ongoing threat of terrorist activities

throughout Israel, it is critical that you maintain a heightened state of awareness at all

times as you move about. It is essential for you to follow Hebrew University's security

precautions at all times.

The university will also routinely communicate with students if acts of violence occur

or are an imminent threat. Therefore, it is imperative to read communications from the

Ofce of Overseas Study and Rothberg concerning safety and security.

Religion

The Jewish Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday.

About 1/2 hour before sundown the city will shut down and there is no public

transportation. Private cabs are the only transportation available in Jerusalem and

often charge a higher Sabbath rate, at least double the normal rate. If you need a cab,

you will have to call to get one. Most stores, restaurants and public facilities close, but

many nightspots and movie theaters stay open. If you plan to go to the beach for the

Sabbath, visit the grocery store on Friday and stock up on non-perishables that you can

take in your backpack.

All Jewish holidays begin and end at sundown. Familiarize yourself with the cycle of the

Jewish calendar and holiday observance, as the whole country observes the Jewish

holidays culturally if not religiously. All stores close in mid-afternoon before holidays, so

a Jewish calendar is essential to know when holiday closings are coming.

Churches of all Christian denominations have religious services. Non-Jewish students

are encouraged to connect with their respective places of worship or to inquire more

about the Jewish faith. Many groups on campus will host Shabbat dinners and students

are strongly encouraged to attend.

Packing

Travel light. A small, coordinated wardrobe of items that can be mixed for variety and

layered to respond to changes in weather is more practical than a large one. Israelis

don’t have vast wardrobes, and most people dress casually, so you can dress much as

you do in the U.S. On the other hand, laundry facilities are not as easily accessible as

in the United States and your wardrobe needs to be large enough to stretch until the

next washday.

Israeli men rarely wear jackets or ties. A white shirt or dress shirt is adequate for most

occasions. Women need a couple of modest outts with long sleeves, a long skirt and a

long jacket for visiting churches, shrines, synagogues and Shabbat dinners. In general,

Israelis are far less formal than Americans, both in how they dress and in how they

conduct themselves.

Temperatures in Jerusalem climb as high as the 90s or 100s in the summer but drop

to the 30s in mid-winter. Thirty degrees outdoors doesn’t seem cold to a Midwesterner,

but you will nd that few Israeli homes have central heating, and many public buildings

are not heated at all. Indoor temperatures will therefore be much lower than you are

used to, and you will welcome tights, long underwear and warm socks and pajamas.

Pack the following:

q Jeans (expensive in Israel)

q Wool sweaters

q Warm winter coat, boots, gloves, hat, scarf

q Cooler clothes for spring

q Sturdy rain coat, umbrella, rain boots

q Warm pajamas, tights, socks, and long underwear

q Swim suit, sun glasses

q Sewing kit

q Backpack, canteen

q Hiking boots, compact sleeping bag or hostel sheet

q 4 passport-size photos for Hebrew University

q Bible (Hebrew-English)

q Let’s Go: Israel or other good guidebook

q Hebrew-English dictionary*

q 201 Hebrew Verbs*

q Paperback novels in English to trade with others

q Typewritten copy of any prescriptions (using generic terms, not brand names).

Bring enough prescriptions to last through your time abroad.

q Contact lens and glasses prescriptions, extra pair of glasses, contact solution

q Overseas advising plan (keep in your e-mail)

Toiletries and feminine hygiene products are widely available in Israel. As the water

is different there, you should buy these items abroad. Make-up is also available in

many places, but may be more expensive than in the U.S. Sheets, towels, blankets and

pillows are sold at the supermarket by the Student Village as well as the home store

students visit on the rst day in Israel.

Electrical current in Israel is 220 volts at 50 Hertz. Buy a converter for electronics

brought from home. If you use a hairdryer, leave yours at home and buy one in Israel. If

your computer or other electronics have a three-pronged plug instead of two-pronged,

make sure you have adapters to accommodate them.

Students are encouraged to take the dictionary and verb charts, which are in use

at IUB, especially if they have taken Hebrew courses at IUB or will be doing so upon

their return from Jerusalem. If you have taken Hebrew levels 100-250 using the books

Hebrew from Scratch, Hebrew University uses the same books.

Computers:

It can be convenient to have a laptop computer, particularly in the nal weeks of the

semester when many students are trying to use the limited number of computers at

the Rothberg School. You may be required to pay taxes when bringing the computer

into Israel as a guarantee that you will not sell it in the country. The customs ofcials

may require you to register your laptop as a “luxury item,” and you may have to pay duty

on it if you do not take it out of Israel with you.