Anyone age 19 and over

www.netzeryear.org

The Netzer Year is a first year university program for Reform Jewish youth.

The Netzer Year is broken into different Experience blocks, after spending the first four months living and learning in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish People, you will spend the rest of the year volunteering in an Israeli community and living on a Kibbutz.

First Semester

Jerusalem Experience: All participants spend the first four months of the year in Jerusalem and have the option of participating in either the Etgar or Machon programs. Each program is an innovative living and learning community.

Second Semester

Kibbutz Experience: Spend two months living on a Kibbutz, a traditional Israeli agricultural collective. While on kibbutz participants will work alongside kibbutz members and become an important part of the kibbutz community.

Shnat B’Ir: Live and volunteer in an Israeli city and become part of the community. Participants integrate themselves into Israeli society by participating in a 25-35 hours a week in a long term volunteer project and still live and work with members of your Netzer Year group.

During the second semester, you can enhance your Netzer Year with several optional Personal Experiences for an additional fee. Depending on the experience, these programs will replace some of or all of the Kibbutz Experience or Netzer B'Ir experience. Personal Experiences may include:

Shvil Yisrael (Israel Trail)
Explore the physical land and history of Israel by foot as you hike over 800 km from the southern border of Israel and Jordan to Tel Dan in the very North. In course of two months, you will trek through desert and mountains. You may leave only footsteps but will take so much more from this challenging and unbelievably rewarding experience. (2 months)

Winter Ulpan at Hebrew University
Improve your Hebrew Skills with a traditional Hebrew language Ulpan at Rothberg International School of Hebrew University in Jerusalem. During the Ulpan you will continue to live in Jerusalem and take part in social and volunteer opportunities with the Netzer Year. Participants will earn 5 academic credits from the Hebrew University for this option. (4 weeks)

Semester at Hebrew University
Spend a semester studying at the Rothberg International School of Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Take classes for up to 14 academic credits at a world renowned university and participate in volunteer projects around the city. Choose from a wide variety of courses offered. (4+ months)

Magen David Adom
Train and join Israel’s national team of professional medical responsers, providing care for pre-hospital emergency medical needs, including disaster, ambulance and blood services.

Sar-El
Participate in the Israeli army’s volunteer services with other volunteers from around the world as you engage in direct hands-on volunteer projects such as in IDF warehouses, working in nursing homes, Shabbat hospitality, partaking in two guided trips a week to various sites in Israel, and serve as an ambassador for the goodwill of Israel.

In addition to these amazing Experiences, all Netzer Year participants will take part in seminars, group Shabbatot and come to know the land of Israel through hiking and sightseeing.

E-mail Address: netzeryear@urj.org
Phone Number: (212) 650-4115