Program
Outside the Beit Midrash
Talmidim enjoy an action-packed and interesting activity schedule throughout the year. Shabbatonim, tiyulim, seminars, siyumim, chagigot and chesed opportunities are all an integral part of the exciting and enriching schedule that ensures a well-rounded program and extraordinary Israel experience.
Tiyulim
Talmidim travel the length and breadth of the country – from the biblical landscape of the Judean Mountains, to the green hills of the Golan and snow capped peaks of Mt. Hermon in the North and tropical Eilat in the South. There are two to three major overnight trips – in Fall, Winter and Spring, and at least one 1-day tiyul per month.
Tiyul days include not only hikes of varying levels of difficulty (always worth the effort!), but also trips to sites of biblical, historical or educational importance such as the Old City of Jerusalem, the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum, Mini Israel, the Blind Exhibit at the Israel Children’s Museum Holon, Aish HaTorah’s Discovery Seminars, the Tank Museum “Yad LaShiryon” in Latrun, tefillin and matzah factories and various Israeli industries such as renowned Israeli wineries and kibbutzim.
Shabbatot
The monthly Shabbat rotation includes one Shabbat in Yeshiva, one Shabbaton (weekend program off campus) and one free Shabbat.
Placement assistance is provided for Talmidim on free Shabbatot, as well as meals available at the Yeshiva. Sha’arei Mevaseret maintains an open-house policy, offering accommodation and meals to students and alumni whenever possible, also during vacations and bein hazmanim.
The location of Shabbatonim is carefully hand-picked in order to give students a taste of various communities around the country – to learn about their lifestyle and why they chose to settle there. Annual Shabbatonim include:
- Kochav HaShachar
- The Old City of Jerusalem
- Bnei Brak
- The Old City of Tzfat
- Rebbe Shabbaton
- Ramat Beit Shemesh
- Kibbutz
- Katamon, Jerusalem
- Yeshivat Hesder
Featured guests such as Rabbi Chanoch Teller, Lt. Meir Birnbaum and other distinguished rabbeim and stimulating speakers, join the Yeshiva for In-Shabbatot with special meals and shiurim.
Chagim & Chagigot
Chagim such as Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah and Shavuot are celebrated in Yeshiva. Rabbeim who live on and away from campus join Talmidim and share a unique and uplifting celebration of the yamim tovim.
The Yeshiva also provides placement assistance on chagim during bein
hazmanim such as Sukkot and Pesach when the Yeshiva is not in session.
Chagigot and mesibot are highlights of the year when Talmidim enjoy an all-out party in Yeshiva to celebrate various chagim such as Chanukah, Purim, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Yom Yerushalayim, Lag B’Omer and others. Yomei iyun are planned for all fast days and Rosh Chodesh is marked with special shiurim and a gourmet breakfast! Chagigot at the homes of the Rabbeim include Simchat Beit HaShoeva and Tu B’Shvat and our Rabbanim also host Talmidim on a regular basis for siyumim, BBQs and breakfasts.
Chesed Opportunities
The Yeshiva also encourages Talmidim to volunteer their free time to a variety of Chesed and kiruv programs. Chesed programs over the years have included volunteering for Magen David Adom, Kedma, Yad Eliezer, Meir Panim Soup Kitchens, Amutat Efrat, babysitting for Kollel members and tutoring Ethiopian olim at the Mevaseret Zion Absorption Center, amongst others. The Yeshiva is always on the lookout for unique opportunities to contribute to Israeli society and instill Talmidim with the middah of unconditional giving.
The Yeshiva has also opened its doors and heart to Am Yisrael in times of tzara – such as during the Second Lebanon War, when the Yeshiva opened its dormitories to families from the North of Israel. In 2008, Talmidim offered support and encouragement to residents of Sderot by visiting schools and Yeshivot in this city bombarded by Qassam rockets.
Special Programs
One night a week, instead of regular Night Seder, the Yeshiva has Vaadim. Groups of 10 or 15 students are invited to the homes of our Rabbanim on campus and other avrechim who live in Mevaseret, to eat and schmooze for an hour or two. This gives students an opportunity to discuss questions, issues or anything on their mind in an informal atmosphere with their chevreh and rebbe.
