Goal of Program
The goal of the Yeshiva is provide each talmid with the skills and the commitment necessary to insure that Torah learning becomes part of their lives. Understanding texts with analytical thinking combined with emphasis on commitment to self-growth is the main goal of the Yeshiva. We believe in the individuality of each Talmid and therefore encourage each person to fill his own connection to learning Torah and Eretz Yisroel.

Attitude towards Israel and Medinat Yisrael
Although the Yeshiva is apolitical the Rosh Yeshiva did serve in the Israeli Defense Force and the centrality to Eretz Israel in Judaism is stressed. While there are no specific celebrations of Yom Hazikaron or Yom Haatzmaut, special programs with well-known lecturers are arranged. On Yom Hazikaron students are asked to dedicate their day of study to those who fell in battle. Students who feel that they would like to celebrate Yom Haatzamut outside the Yeshiva are encouraged to do so.

Attitude towards University Studies
Yeshivat Ohr David is affiliated with Yeshiva University, Touro College and Hebrew Theological College. Students who feel they want to pursue full time Torah study are encouraged to do so even if that means they will attend a night college. Students not interested in full time Torah study are encouraged to attend Yeshiva University and not to attend secular colleges.

Attitude towards Extracurricular Activities
Students are encouraged to participate in chesed programs for example packing and delivering food for Yad Eliezer, a well known Jerusalem charity. Blood drives and visiting the sick are also part of our program.

Preparation for Post Israel
Years of experience have shown us that talmidim who spiritually grew in Israel have some problems returning home. This is a problem that is continually addressed in a general way but the immediate time before the end of the year, a YOM IYUN is dedicated to discussions of these areas. At this Yom Iyun, ideas such as interaction with parents and friends are discussed. We would hope that the year of intensive Torah study in Israel changes the student’s perspective and they must realize that they will have to relate to others from their new perspective.

The "Successful" Student
The successful student is one totally dedicated to Torah and mitzvot, in the way of making limud hatorah an essential part of their lives and making Eretz Israel an essential part of their Jewish experience.

Dress
No jeans or T-shirts are permitted for learning or Tefila and sandals must be worn with socks in the Bet Medrash.

Guidance Personnel
One of the innovations of the Yeshiva was to have a very large staff and small shiurim. There are approximately 25 members of the Staff and 55 students. The Rebbeim are always available for the students and there are young kollel members that learn and talk with students. There is no Gemara shiur with more than 10 students

Supervision
There are always Rebbeim available and attendance is taken at classes and minyanim. There is a dorm counselor who supervises the midnight curfew. Certain places in Jerusalem are considered off limits. The boys are encouraged and required to conduct themselves as Bnei Torah at all times and places.

Makeup
Morning and night Seder is Gemara and afternoon Seder other classes-see schedule. Levels are always by ability and background.

Courses Offered
No information provided

Daily Schedule
7:40 Shacharit
8:30 Mishna Brura
8:45 Breakfast
9:15- 10:00 preparation for Iyun shiur with members of the Kollel
10:00-11:40 Chavruta
Break
12:00-1:00 Iyun Shiur
1:00-3:00 Lunch break
3:00 Mincha
3:15- 4:00 Mesilat Yesharim
4:00- 7:00 Track 1 - classes
Each student custom makes his own schedule, based on over 100 topics in Judaism. In addition, each student studies one-on-one with one of the Rabbeim, daily for a 40-minute period.
Topics include:
Parshat Hashavua
Tefilla
Jewish History
Nach-lessons from the prophets
Contemporary Halachic problems
Topics include:
Minhagim
Ulpan
Do it yourself - Gemara and much more.
Every other week, tour i.e. around Jerusalem area, Kotel tunnets etc.
The other weeks present a variety of interesting speakers i.e. Rabbi Asher Wade
Track 2 - Gemara Bikiut
7:00- 8:00 Supper
8:00 Maariv
8:15-10:00 Gemara Bekiyut (Shiur and Chavruta time with plans to finish the mesechta)
10:00- 11:00 Optional Shiurim in Hashkafa, Ketuvim etc.
No formal study of contemporary authors is done but in the Hashkafa and in the optional Shiurim, (different sefarim may be studied) the boys are exposed to the various paths of Torah Judaism.

Language of Instruction
English

Ulpan or Hebrew Class
Class is given every other week

Assessment and Grading
Students receive transcripts each semester of study. Grades are based on attendance, participation and achievement. Each teacher decides if he would like to give written or oral tests.

Shana Bet
There is a shana bet program, which is actively encouraged for the motivated and advanced student. Shana bet is encouraged with more emphasis on independent Gemara study.

Joint Program
Yeshiva University, Touro College, Hebrew Theological College and Talmudic Academy of Florida, MJI.

No information provided

Interaction with Israelis
The Yeshiva has a very unique Shabbaton program where one shabbos a month is spent with different communities throughout Israel.
Politics:
The focus of the Yeshiva is Limud HaTorah. Political activities are not encouraged but where deemed appropriate, integration of current events is covered in the classroom format.

Special Informal programs
Every other Tuesday different interesting speakers address the talmidim. In addition, there is a special Melave Malka program where speakers are brought in. At these Melave Malkas, speakers are often one of the many outstanding Talmidei Chachomim of Jerusalem. These Melave Malkas often end in a kumzitz.

Sports Facilities
There is equipped weight room on campus as well as a music room, and computer room. The Yeshiva rents out a gym once a week.

Programming for Shabbat and Yom Tov
Yeshiva Ohr David is open for student use from the day they arrive until they leave. One Shabbat a month is spent in the Yeshiva and one Shabbat a month is a Shabbaton in different communities. There are two weeks where the boy has the ability to go out and visit relatives and friends. The Yeshiva makes arrangements for those who need a place. Food is served during all vacations except for the 8 days of Pesach when arrangements are made with families. In addition optional learning and touring programs are arranged during vacations.

Field Trips
Every other Tuesday the Yeshiva will have a half-day trip. Once every two months there will be a full day trip. After Succot, there is a 5-day trip to the Golan and Gallilee ending with a Shabbaton in the north. In mid winter there is 4-day tour to the south including Eilat.

Level of Learning Offered
No information provided

Hebrew Knowledge Required
No information provided

Religious Observance Required
No information provided

Type of American Student
Almost 100 % of the students are from North America. About one third is from the Greater New York- Long Island area.

Overall Number of Students (Kollel, Israeli, Foreign)
45

Foreign Student Percentage
100%

Number of 1st Year American Students
35

Number of 2nd Year American Students
10

Other Nationalities
Occasional students from foreign countries (Britain, Australia etc.)

Number of Students per Class
Classes are small. There are Rebbeim on staff. The Gemara shiur is no larger than 10 students. Some Chumash or other shiurim have about 25 students.

Living Quarters
There is a full dormitory for student use. There are 3-4 students per room. Students may choose roommates and with prior approval, bring guests for Shabbat
There is a refrigerator, washing machine and dryer, and email computer for student use.

Availability of Private Kitchen Facilities
There is a refrigerator and kitchenette for student use

Facility use during Shabbat and Yom Tov
No information provided

Curfew
There is a midnight curfew supervised by the dorm counselor. Any student not there will be called on his cell phone and appropriate action will be taken. Students understand that we are their home away from home and as such, we must know where they are at all times. Parents are encouraged to keep in close touch with the Yeshiva’s office via email.

Security Arrangements
No information provided

The yeshiva was founded by Rabbis Yosef Granofsky and Chaim Flom in 1981 to provide a new style of Yeshiva program that provided much more individual attention and more exposure to the Land of Israel than was presently available at the time. Located in Jerusalem near many religious neighborhoods, talmidim get exposure to the beauty of the lifestyle only really seen in Israel.

Ohr David is a Yeshiva University S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program School. There are also programs with Touro College, Hebrew Theological College, the Talmudic Academy of Florida, and MJI.

Tuition for the 2009-2010 school year is $16,000 (not including the $750 registration fee).

Our Yeshiva is a place where through warmth and focus on student individualism, a strong life long kesher is developed between the Yeshiva and its Talmidim. Our emphasis on joy in Avodas Hashem allows students to thoroughly enjoy their experience in Israel.