FAQ's
SHABBAT AND CHAGIM
What is an "In Shabbat"?
An In Shabbat is compulsory – students stay in for Shabbat, and there
is a set program over Shabbat including meals, divrei Torah, shiurim,
tisch on Friday night, melave malka on Motzei Shabbat, etc. Some
of the Yeshiva rabbis and guest speakers usually join for these Shabbatot.
What is an "Out Shabbat"?
An Out Shabbat is when the whole Yeshiva travels away as a group
to various communities or areas around Israel. The students are
ether hosted in hotels, youth hostels, or even in homes of community
members. There is also usually a set program similar to In Shabbatot.
Often a tiyul is incorporated into the trip, before or after the Shabbat.
What is a "Free Shabbat"?
A Free Shabbat is when students may go away for Shabbat to family, friends,
etc. or may choose to stay in Yeshiva. Meals are provided although
there is no official program over Shabbat. A Rav on campus joins the
students for meals.
We don't have any family in Israel. What will my son
do on a "free" Shabbat?
The dormitory is open all year round so your son is welcome to stay at
Yeshiva. Rabbanim who live on campus and members of the Meretz Kollel
often host students for meals in their homes over Free Shabbatot. Meals
will be provided in the Yeshiva Chadar Ochel throughout Shabbat, provided
your son informs his madrich and/or the office in advance that he will
be staying in for Shabbat. (Forms for this purpose are usually distributed
prior to Shabbat.)
Is it compulsory for my son to attend all trips/Shabbatot?
All trips and Shabbatot are an integral part of the year's program and
your son's experience of Yeshiva and Israel. Under extenuating circumstances,
such as illness, students may submit a form requesting to be excused,
which will be reviewed by the Educational Director/Dean of Students.
VACATION AND PARENT VISITS
When can I visit the Yeshiva
during the year?
You are welcome to visit the Yeshiva at any time during the year. Kindly
inform us in advance so that we know to expect you and are able to
advise you on the Yeshiva's schedule and office hours during the dates
of your visit.
Can my son leave Israel for a wedding/bar mitzvah/bris
in Chutz L'Aretz?
As a rule, students are not permitted to leave Israel during their year
in Israel, except for the Pesach Bein Hazmanim break. Any other trips
abroad require an official request to be submitted and permission from
the Educational Director/Dean of Students.
When I visit Israel, can my son stay with us in our
hotel/at our family?
If your visit in Israel coincides with a vacation or a "Free Shabbat
or Yom Tov," your son is welcome to join you provided a request
is made to the office and that permission is granted. Students are to
refrain from missing class, so any weekday absences (as well as overnight)
are not permitted, unless special permission has been granted by the
administration.
When the Yeshiva is closed for vacation, can my son
stay in his dorm?
The dormitories are open all year round and students may stay in Yeshiva
even when the Yeshiva is on vacation or when the office is closed, provided
students inform the administration in advance. Changes to this policy
may apply during routine renovations of the dormitories and other Yeshiva
facilities.
What is the school's policy on having friends over
from other yeshivot?
Students may have friends over from other yeshivot provided they make
a request in advance to the office. The Yeshiva reserves the right to
deny requests as it sees fit.
HEALTH AND SECURITY POLICIES
What is not covered by the health insurance policy?
Pre-existing conditions, well-care, routine check-ups, chronic conditions
(eg. asthma, Krohn's disease, diabetes), conditions which began before
the insurance period, injuries caused due to alcohol and drugs, self
inflicted injuries.
Further information is available from our insurance agenct on request.
Why is it compulsory to pay for the Yeshiva health insurance
policy?
Experience has shown that health insurance policies from abroad
do not always provide comprehensive coverage in Israel and can often
create more problems than solutions. Working with a reputable insurance
agency and medical aid company enables us to obtain the best medical
services that Israel has to offer and equips us with the tools to monitor
every case with up-to-the-minute information and advice. We do advise,
however, that students retain their local US medical aid policy in the
case of having to return to the US during the year.
What is the school's policy on security measures?
We make every effort to impress upon our students an awareness of the
situation in Israel, and inform and advise them on safety and security
precautions. We regularly monitor the whereabouts of our students and,
with cooperation from the students themselves, maintain constant contact
throughout their year here. The campus is partolled by a professional
security company, all gates of the campus are locked after hours, and
security personnel accompany students on all Tiyulim.
YESHIVA OFFICE
What are the Yeshiva's office hours?
The Yeshiva office on campus is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout
the year. The office is closed on Chagim and Chol Hamoed.
How can I contact my son's rabbis?
All rabbis can receive e-mail or a fax via our office. Some rabbis will
be happy to provide you with their private phone numbers or e-mail
addresses on request.
Who do I call in case of emergency?
Any emergencies should be reported to our office in Israel on (02) 533-9100.
After hours, please call our Av Bayit Shlomo Chayen on (052) 312-5408,
or Senior Madrich David Levy, on (052) 312-6344.
TUITION
What does tuition include?
Tuition includes the entire educational program, full room & board
(i.e. 3 meals a day) all Tiyulim, Shabbatonim and other special events.
What does "3 meals a day" mean?
Students enjoy three full meals daily. Breakfast consists of one or two
hot main dishes which vary from day to day, such as eggs, pancakes
or French toast – and salad, cheese, yoghurt, cereal and bread are
also offered every day. Lunch and dinner each consist of a buffet,
including soup, one main course, two side dishes, bread, salads and
fruit. (Lunch is milchik and supper is fleishik.) Juice, water, coffee
and tea are available during all meals, and throughout the day outside
the Beit Midrash. On Thursday night, special take-out such as pizza
or burgers, is offered to students for mishmar. Shabbat meals
in Yeshiva include an upgraded menu with soft drinks, desserts and
special treats.
CLOTHING AND LAUNDRY
What is the school's policy on dress code?
The Yeshiva dress code requires students to wear shirts with collars,
no jeans, and shoes with socks. White shirts are required for Shabbat.
How will my son do his laundry?
There are coin-operated laundry machines and dryers in the dormitories.
There is also a Laundromat and Dry Cleaning Services in the Mevaseret
Zion mall.
SEFORIM
Does my son need to bring all the required seforim
with him?
During the first week of school, a mobile bookstore sets up shop on campus
to provide students with all the required seforim. If there are any special
seforim which your son has at home, such as a dictionary he enjoys using
(whether on the official list or not), he should bring them along.
How can I send a letter/package to my son?
Regular mail should be mailed to:
Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion
PO Box 85899
Mevaseret Zion
90805
ISRAEL
Packages (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.) should be sent to:
Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion
Rechov HaOren 50, 2nd Floor
Mevaseret Zion
90805
ISRAEL
