Long-term
Bring Your Authentic Self to Serious Text Study
We invite you to be a vital part of a community of learners and seekers committed to understanding and appreciating how our ancient traditions work in the world today.
The Lishma study program provides an immersive experience in the world of Torah study and day-to-day Jewish life. Courses focus on traditional texts such as Talmud, Tanakh, and Midrash as well as Jewish Philosophy and Prayer, while maintaining a dialogue with modern scholarship and a focus on contemporary applicability.
The Hebrew term Lishma literally translates as “for its own sake.” Our canon of ancient and traditional texts offers wisdom and insight on issues we face daily as members of the Jewish community and as citizens of the world. Learning Lishma enables you to put aside preconceived notions and connect authentically with the text and how it relates to your own lives.
We pride ourselves on being an open and inclusive community welcoming all denominations, standards of practice, races, sexual orientations, and gender identities. While the ritual life of the Yeshiva community follows traditional Jewish practice, we are committed to being egalitarian and a safe space where pluralism of ideas and people flourishes. Prior knowledge of Hebrew and Jewish text are not a requirement.
Our staff are ready to help you customize your studies to suit your individual needs and interests, so that all students can make the most of their learning experience.
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Our Beit Midrash
Across classes, learning is conducted in the traditional Jewish method of chevruta (paired student learning) coupled with engaging shiur (classroom time) with the teacher.
Nestled in the warm archways and Jerusalem stone of our Epstein/Geller/David Beit Midrash (house of study or seeking) are a wide array of primary and secondary sources and plenty of space for students to study together. The buzz of the Beit Midrash is an inspiring sound that exemplifies and celebrates the sweetness and dynamic nature of traditional Torah study. Class sessions are rich with lively discussion. You will join the voices and opinions of students from around the world, spilling out into the heart of Jerusalem, where you can live your learning.
Financials
Tuition
Tuition is charged on a per-semester basis and includes all student-related activities, such as the Thursday day trips and the Shabbaton.
- Full-time study: $5,000 per semester
- Part-time study: rates available upon request
- Rabbinical students: through your institution
Scholarships & Financial Aid
All full-time applicants are automatically considered for support from the Schindler Scholarship Fund.
Long-term study at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center is recognized as a Masa program. If you are eligible for Masa you can can apply for additional funding and support, in the forms of both a Masa grant and need-based aid.
Omek: Pathway to the Rabbinate
The Omek track allows those on the path of rabbinic training or other leadership positions (pedagogy, liturgy, etc) to engage in a specialized trajectory that addresses specific areas of personal focus. This track equips you with greater readiness for the next step in your professional Jewish journey.
Through ongoing mentorship and guidance, Omek students will deepen their Jewish literacy, refine their practices and clarify their personal and professional goals. You will be encouraged to self-reflect and take an active role in your education, a process that will inform your future successes and increase your overall excellence and proficiency in Jewish study, community building, and worship innovation.
If you consider Israeli Beit Midrash-style learning as integral to your path to rabbinics and desire to study at a Rabinnical school in the future, we encourage you to apply to the Omek program. Click here to see the broad range of institutions from which our Rabbinical students have hailed.
Schedule & Courses
- Classes meet 4 days a week, Sunday through Wednesday, with Thursdays being devoted to day trips throughout Israel as part of our Israel Education Program
- After Shacharit services, the mornings are for Talmud, followed by afternoon and evening classes covering topics from Bible to Halakhah to Hassidut, and more
- While the day formally ends with Ma’ariv (the 3rd communal prayer) many choose to participate in evening learning, in either organized group sessions (chavurot) or independent study pairs (chevrutot) on topics of personal interest
- Throughout the year the Yeshiva hosts special events and days of learning focused on Jewish and Israeli holidays
- Twice a year, we organize a shabbaton in an area of interest around Israel and with a community Shabbat. Students and Faculty work together to create a space of meaningful prayer, learning, and connection beyond the walls of the Beit Midrash
Day Trips
Throughout the year our students go on several day trips, primarily around Jerusalem. This exposes you to the rich and complex layers of Israeli culture, from ancient history to modern life.
Our modules include:
- Jerusalem: Then & Now
- Modern Israel: 1948 to Today
- People of the Book
- Winter Holidays in Israel
- The Conflict
- Memorials
- Shabbatonim
Institutions Our Students Attend
Student Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Application Process?
The Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center accepts applicants on a rolling basis throughout the year, convening the Finance and Scholarship Committee periodically to review applicants and requests for scholarships and stipends. In order to ensure applications are processed in a timely manner, prospective students are encouraged to complete their application form and send in the necessary documents without delay.
Who Are Our Students?
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, identifying as currently or formerly Reform, unaffiliated, Orthodox, Conservative/Masorti, or being recent or prospective converts. We welcome students from anywhere in the world or the religious spectrum.
The traditional rules of Kashrut are to be observed throughout the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center facilities. On Shabbaton (weekend trips with the whole program) the traditional laws of Shabbat are to be observed in all common areas. A student need not have in-depth knowledge of all these rules prior to attending the Yeshiva, but must be committed to respecting and maintaining these standards. Our staff, Faculty, and high-level students are available to answer questions and offer guidance.
Every year we welcome a group of 20-30 students who range in age from post-high school to retirees, with strong representation from the post-college demographic. Our students share a commitment to encountering the world outside their niche and learning together in a way that benefits directly from each individual’s contributions.
How Do I Get Settled in Israel?
After acceptance to the program, the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center provides all the institutional documents needed for students to procure an A2 Student Visa for their time in Israel, as well as personalized support in booking appointments and navigating the bureaucracy of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. However, it is your responsibility to provide and manage all the other documents, processes, and appointments. We cannot guarantee an A2 Visa for all students.
Our students arrange their own housing in Jerusalem, often with roommates. We recommend the neighborhoods of Rehavia, Nachlaot, Baka, and City Center, since they are near our campus and are home to thriving communities of religious life on Shabbat.
Please make sure you’ve arranged for health insurance for the duration of your trip. If you’re interested in an Israeli insurance provider, we recommend Harel via Egert et Cohen Insurance. Students are welcome to make whatever arrangements suit them personally.
Safety and Security?
Our campus is protected by a gate and 24/7 security guard and has a shelter accessible according to Israel’s Home Front Command safety guidelines.
When traveling with Masa students, we ensure that all programming and conditions match Masa’s safety standards, and our Program Director is directly in touch with top security officials across all channels.
How Much Hebrew Do I Need?
English is the basic language of instruction in most classes, though some high-level courses may be taught in Hebrew. Knowledge of Hebrew is important in Torah study, as it is the language of most of the traditional texts. Lishma students ideally possess at least level “Alef +” Hebrew skills, according to the Israeli Ulpan rating system. If your Hebrew skills are below this level, we recommend studying Hebrew prior to the start of the school year. Note: Hebrew level does not factor into acceptance to the Lishma program.
Accepted students enjoy a discounted rate to our Summer Experience Program, where they can study in our Ulpan Intensive before the Fall Semester begins.