• Guide to Israel Schools

  • Eretz HaTzvi—S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program

  • Goal of the Program

    To instill a commitment to Avodat HaShem.
    To develop a desire and ability to make Torah a lifelong pursuit.
    To prepare our talmidim for the challenges of university and adult life.
    To encourage and enable them to share their learning and values wherever they go.
    To enhance their love of our People, and their recognition of the State of Israel as a gift and a responsibility.

    Hashkafa



    Goal of Program
    Eretz HaTzvi's success springs from our proud Centrist Orthodox Hashkafah. Our warm, nurturing environment fosters a love for Torah and Klal Yisrael. We emphasize the importance of Zionism and the State of Israel. We pride ourselves on being sensitive to the individual issues which students often face in their maturation process undergone in Israel and which they will encounter emotionally and religiously in their subsequent university years.

    Attitude towards Israel and Medinat Yisrael
    At Eretz HaTzvi, we infuse the students with an appreciation of the existence of Medinat Yisrael as an instance of Divine favor and grace and as a challenge to which Jews must rise.
    We believe that the Jewish people's choice on how we embrace the State – from issues ranging from social justice to tolerance; from the Arab – Israeli conflict to Aliyah – is of critical importance and will be ones that students will face in their college years. These issues are confronted directly both formally in the curriculum and informally in chugim in a spirit of openness and tolerance for different viewpoints but always with passionate concern.

    Attitude towards University Studies
    Eretz HaTzvi embraces a centrist Orthodox philosophy which places a positive value on a quality general education. The faculty is always prepared to discuss issues pertaining to the integration of Torah, secular knowledge, and modern cultural orientations. In specialized areas of concern, we call on a wide pool of Jerusalem scholars and educators ready to share their expertise and philosophy with the concerned college bound student. In addition, whenever possible, students will be matched to alumni guides from the Universities to which they have been accepted.

    Attitude towards Extracurricular Activities
    No information provided

    Preparation for Post Israel
    Eretz HaTzvi embraces a centrist Orthodox philosophy which places a positive value on a quality general education. The faculty is always prepared to discuss issues pertaining to the integration of Torah, secular knowledge, and modern cultural orientations. In specialized areas of concern, we call on a wide pool of Jerusalem scholars and educators ready to share their expertise and philosophy with the concerned college bound student. In addition, whenever possible, students will be matched to alumni guides from the Universities to which they have been accepted.

    The "Successful" Student
    Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi empowers students to become Jewish leaders by developing their skills in Jewish learning, inspires them to love Am Yisrael, Torat Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael, and prepares them for success in college and in their future.

    Dress
     

    Weekday:

    • Slacks or jeans (no sweatpants, training pants)
    • Proper shoes or sandals (no beach shoes, flip flops)
    • Baseball caps or similar sport hats may not be worn.

    Shabbat:

    • Dress slacks
    • Appropriate shoes



    Guidance Personnel
    Eretz HaTzvi has a full-time Mashgiach Ruchani, Rav Dovid Ebner, whose experience includes more than 25 years of counseling. In addition the yeshiva believes that different personality types among the students need a relationship with different types of teachers. Thus many students benefit from various types of teachers who fulfill their different needs.

    Supervision
    No information provided

    Curriculum
    Makeup and Courses Offered
    The curriculum places a major emphasis on teaching the skills that will enable the student to become independent in his studies. The topics chosen are well rounded and reflect the philosophy of the yeshiva. In addition to Gemara/Aggadah, Limud Tanach, Halacha, Machshava, History and leadership development figure prominently. We also have a Sefardic Studies Program

    Daily Schedule
    The day begins with Shacharit at 7:25 AM. There are three mandatory sedarim per day. Morning: 9 AM – 12:45 PM; Afternoon: 2:15 – 5:30 PM; Night: 7:30 – 10:00 PM.

    Language of Instruction
    There are shiurim in both Hebrew and English depending on the level of the students in each shiur.

    Ulpan or Hebrew Class
    There is a professional Ulpan course that meets twice per week.

    Assessment and Grading
    Students receive grades for each of their courses/shiurim based on attendance and class participation. We also provide a formal transcript for each term that the student attends the yeshiva.

    Shana Bet
    The yeshiva is firmly convinced of the tremendous benefit to be derived from spending a second year in the program. The number of students who return for Shana Bet varies between 10-20% of the Shana Aleph student body.

    Joint Program
    No information provided
    Staff
    Rabbi Yehuda Susman, Rosh HaYeshiva

    Rabbi Dovid Ebner, Rosh Yeshiva and Mashgiach Ruchani

    Rabbi Benni Pflanzer, Executive Director

    Rabbi Tuvia (Todd) Berman

    Rabbi Simcha Krauss

    Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen

    Rabbi Moti Novick

    Rabbi Aviad Tabory

    Rabbi Zvi Grumet

    Rabbi Alex Israel
    Extra-Curricular Activities
    Interaction with Israelis
    Chesed programs

    With our integrative philosophy influencing all our activities, we encourage our students to be exposed to Israeli society in various ways. The Yeshiva resides in the wonderful and central neighborhood of Katamon. This location allows for interation with native Israelis. The students are frequently invited to families in the neighborhood for Shabbat meals and we also help them arrange Shabbatot in outlying yishuvim and kibbutzim. There is a diverse Chesed program that enables the students to choose to work with orphans, poor families, the elderly and the mentally disabled every week on a consistent basis. Students are expected to devote at least one hour per week of their free time to chesed activities.

    Special Informal programs
    The Yeshiva views Tiyulim as an integral, enriching aspect of the curriculum, inspiring a heightened appreciation for Eretz Yisrael and the State of Israel. Field trips enhance, and can even transform "study of" into "living" Tanach, Halacha and Jewish History. The tiyul schedule includes at least two major trips, one to the north and the other to the south. In addition, there are Shabbatonim and regularly scheduled day trips to different areas of the country throughout the year. All students concerned are expected to attend these trips. Fees for all mandatory trips are included in the tuition package. We also offer the students the opportunity to elect to participate in a weeklong trip to Poland from Rosh Chodesh Nissan. We invite speakers who are experts in their fields such as current events of Jewish interest, tefila, holidays, history etc. Shabbatot Ramim are scheduled during the year when the shiurim spend the Shabbat at the home of their morning seder rebbe and his family.

    Sports Facilities
    On campus we have an exercise room complete with weights, treadmill and ping pong table as well as basketball facility on the grounds. We also rent out the gym of the school next door to the campus for the boys to have weekly games. An olympic-size indoor swimming pool is a few minutes away and the students may enroll there.

    Programming for Shabbat and Yom Tov
    Approximately one out of every 3 Shabbatot is an "in" Shabbat. The Yeshiva remains open for all Shabbatot and Chagim. Students who choose to remain in the dormitory for an "out" Shabbat are welcome; home hospitality is available for meals in the neighborhood or with staff members who live within walking distance of the Yeshiva.

    Field Trips
    No information provided
    Eligibility
    Level of Learning Offered
    There is a range of students that generally varies between 60-80 per year for those coming from foreign countries. In addition we have a Kollel consisting of approximately 15-20 young men who have completed hesder programs and have now begun to attend university but want to have afternoon and night sedarim of learning. The Kollel members study bechavruta with the post high-school students.

    Hebrew Knowledge Required
    No information provided

    Religious Observance Required
    No information provided
    Population
    Type of American Student
    No information provided

    Overall Number of Students (Kollel, Israeli, Foreign)
    There is a range of students that generally varies between 60-80 per year for those coming from foreign countries. In addition we have a Kollel consisting of approximately 15-20 young men who have completed hesder programs and have now begun to attend university but want to have afternoon and night sedarim of learning. The Kollel members study bechavruta with the post high-school students.

    Foreign Student Percentage
    No information provided

    Number of 1st Year American Students
    No information provided

    Number of 2nd Year American Students
    No information provided

    Other Nationalities
    No information provided

    Number of Students per Class
    No information provided
    Accommodations
    Living Quarters
    Eretz HaTzvi is located on a beautiful new campus in the Katamon neighborhood of in the heart of Yerushalayim.

    Availability of Private Kitchen Facilities
    No information provided

    Facility use during Shabbat and Yom Tov
    No information provided

    Curfew
    Curfew is until 12:30 AM every night except Thursday when it is extended until 1 AM.

    Security Arrangements
    There is a wrought-iron gate from the outside with a key lock in order to gain access to the Yeshiva campus. In addition, in order to enter the actual building, each person has a computerized key card for entry during the week. For Shabbat we switch over to a combination lock. Security cameras cover the entire campus.
    History
    No information provided
    Accrediting Universities
    Universities that have accepted our transcripts include: Yeshiva University, Queens College, Brooklyn College, Hebrew Theological College (Skokie), among others.
    Tuition

    The Registration Fee for all programs is 8,925 NIS. Tuition for the Shana Aleph program for the 5774 academic year (Fall 2013 - Spring 2014) is 89,250 NIS. Tuition includes room and board as well as all Yeshiva-sponsored tiyulim (field trips), shabbatonim, seminars and internet access. All those who receive MASA funding are entitled to a reimbursement of 3,700 NIS. 

    Additional Information
    No information provided
    Contact Information

    Eretz HaTzvi
    U.S. Office:
    302 Fountain Road
    Engelwood, N.J. 07631
    Phone: (201) 669-4053

    Israel Office: 
    Rav Yehuda Susman / Mrs. Shulamith T. Ebner
    32 Yossi Ben Yoezer
    Jerusalem 93301
    Phone: (02) 679-1424
    Fax: (02) 648-3716
    administrator@yehatzvi.org
    www.yehatzvi.org 

    Rosh HaYeshiva:
    Rabbi David Ebner

Yeshiva University
500 West 185th Street
New York, NY 10033
212.960.5400

Connect With YU