Or Etzion - FAQs
Updated: 11/10/2005
Q. What kind of student is appropriate for Tochnit Tzion?
A.“Tochnit Tzion” is designed for motivated high school graduates with a love for Torah, Eretz Yisrael, Am Israel, and the ideals of Bnei Akiva.
Q. I am not a member of Bnei Akiva, nor have I attended any Moshava Camp, will I feel comfortable in the Tochnit Tzion program? Will most students be from Bnei Akiva?
A.Tochnit Tzion is designed for students who want to discover the dynamic ideas of Religious Zionism today. Beyond the excellent Shiurim in Talmud, Halacha, and Tanach, the year long program will offer every student meaningful opportunities to experience the significance of combining Torah knowledge and religious observance with a commitment to Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael. This unique feature of Tochnit Tzion does not require you to belong to Bnei Akiva.
Q. Is Tochnit Tzion a North American program, geared specifically for North American students?
A. An outstanding feature of Tochnit Tzion is its familiarity with the social and educational needs of North American students. Both the administration and the faculty are experienced in teaching and advising North American students, and several staff members are graduates of North American educational institutions. Students will enjoy the interaction with Ramim who have made Aliya, served in the IDF, and serve as a vibrant bridge between the American and Israeli cultures.
Q. What kind of Yeshiva is Or Etzion?
A.Or Etzion is a Religious-Zionist Hesder Yeshiva. Its Israeli students combine high level Torah-learning with army service in Tzahal.
Q. With so many other North American Yeshiva programs currently available in Israel, why did Bnei Akiva open a new program this year?
A.Tochnit Tzion is being established in response to an ever increasing interest by North American students to spend an exciting year in Israelcombining Yeshiva studies with an authentic Israeli element. As potential future American Jewish leaders, our students will become familiar with the pulse of Israeli life, develop an appreciation for Israeli society, become acquainted with issues which challenge the State of Israel, learn to communicate in Hebrew, and travel throughout the beautiful country. These distinctive features make Tochnit Tzion truly unique.
Q. What specific features make Tochnit Tzion unique?
A.With the aim of preparing its American students for a life of Torah observance and leadership of the Jewish community, Tochnit Tzion will combine two "worlds" in one year:
1. Students will gain a love for Torah learning and a wealth of Torah knowledge - both in classic yeshiva style and in the spiritual preparation needed to deal with modern times during your adult life.
2. Students will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing the Jewish world in the 21st century, and develop a deep bond with Eretz Yisrael, and Am Yisrael.
Q. Where is Yeshivat Or Etzion located?
A. Yeshivat Or Etzion is located in Merkaz Shapira, a town close to Ashkelonand Rechovot, a 45-minute drive from Jerusalem. Bus transportation to and from Jerusalemis safe and frequent.
Q. What are the facilities like in the Yeshiva?
A.Yeshivat Or Etzion has a modern, fully air-conditioned Beit Midrash and library. There is a full-facility dormitory and newly expanded dining room which serves three meals a day. Indoor and outdoor basketball courts and a weight room are available to the students, as well as an outdoor pool in the neighboring Kibbutz Ein Tzurim.
Q. Do I need to know Hebrew well to attend Tochnit Tzion at Or Etzion?
A.Since there are Hebrew shiurim offered in the yeshiva, it is helpful to know some Hebrew. Hebrew Language tutorials and Ulpan will be offered during the first months of the year to students needing help with their Hebrew language skills. Because of the integration with the Israeli boys in the yeshiva, your Hebrew will improve immensely throughout the year.
Q. Are most of the shiurim, in English or in Hebrew, going to be exclusively for students of Tochnit Tzion? [I don’t think I can compete with the level of learning of the IsraelHesder students!]
A.Tochnit Tzion will offer Shiurim in both English and Hebrew which will meet the needs of the American students. Ramim will encourage and motivate each student to develop greater learning skills and increase his learning and language proficiencies.
Q. Does Tochnit Tzion have a designated Rosh Yeshiva? Who is he? What is his background? Is he experienced in teaching American students?
A.Or Etzion’s esteemed Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Druckman, enthusiastically conveys the harmonious message of Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael and Torat Yisrael according to the philosophy of HaRav Kook. HaRav Druckman has served as a Knesset Member, in the IDF, as a leader of the Bnei Akiva youth movement and of Mercaz Yeshivot Bnei Akiva throughout Israel. HaRav Druckman was also at one time a Shalich to the United States.
Q. What are the admission requirements/criteria?
A.Tochnit Tzion will accept highly motivated students who demonstrate love for Torah, Eretz Yisrael, Am Israel, and an interest in spend an exciting year in Israel combining Yeshiva studies with an authentic Israeli dimension. Applicants must submit an application, undergo an interview, and include recommendations.
Q. Will there be an opportunity to make a personal "kesher" with the Ramim?
A.The optimal goal of Tochnit Tzion is to establish close bonds between students and Ramim. Hopefully, these bonds will mature into lifetime relationships. Our experienced Ramim will invest time and effort to be available to each student, to answer individual questions and enter into informal discussions. They will provide personal attention and guided spiritual growth.
Q. How often are there Tiyulim?
A. There are biweekly, half-day “Tiyul with a Tanach”, visiting historic Biblical sites.
A few times a year we have trips to army bases to visit and give Chizuk to Hesder soldiers from our yeshiva presently on military duty.
Weekly volunteer service in Kiryat Malachi, a nearby development town populated with Ethiopian and Russian Olim
During the yeshiva’s Sukkot and Pesach recess our students will join Bnei Akiva’s “Tochnit Tishrei” and “Tochnit Nissan”, and participate in their exciting Tiyulim and work on Kibbutzim
Q. How often are there free Shabbatot?
A.The Yeshiva is open for 2 Shabbatot and closed every third. We will also join the Bnei Akiva Shabbatonim intended for all the Bnei Akiva students learning in Israelfor the year.
Q. How do I apply to Tochnit Tzion at Or Etzion?
A. You can call the Bnei Akiva offices at (212) 465-9536 and request an application form. After filling it out, please send in the application form to:
Bnei Akiva of the US and Canada
Tochnit Tzion at Or Etzion
7 Penn Plaza, Suite 205,
New York, NY 10001
Q, Is there email access for students' use?
A.There is a computer room on the Or Etzion campus with Internet access.
Q. What are the laundry arrangements?
A.We will be sending laundry out, through a laundry service, once a week.
Q. What arrangement is there for health insurance?
A. Tochnit Tzion at Or Etzion will provide students with a full coverage insurance plan.
4. Are there medical services [doctors, clinics, hospitals] available on or close to the Yeshiva?
A.There is a Kupat Cholim in Mirkaz Shapira right near the Yeshiva.
Q. What are the tuition costs?
A. The cost for Tochnit Tzion at Or Etzion is $15,000 USD plus a $500 donation.
Q. What are the security policies of Tochnit Tzion at Or Etzion?
A. Mirkaz Shapira has 24 hour security patrols. Students must get permission before they leave the Yeshiva and leave a contact number where they can be reached. All Tiyulim Itineraries are reviewed and approved by the Israeli Defence Forces (Tzahal). Tochnit Tzion adheres to the strict guidelines and policies of the Ministry of Education.
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