The Shana Aleph Program

Close to 100 high school graduates, ages 18-20 from Israel and abroad. The students are divided into groups: Each group has a Ram and a madricha. The Ramim (men and women) are, in addition to being the Gemara instructors, responsible for students' intellectual and spiritual well-being. The madricha, an advanced student in the Beit Midrash, lives on campus and is available to the students for informal discussions and guidance.

The program for overseas students is completely integrated into the Israeli program and is ideal for students with a serious commitment to Torah study who wish to progress in their avodat Hashem, while developing a strong bond with Israel. The program is fully integrated in the classroom and the dormitory. There is maximum interaction between the American and Israeli students and close friendships are developed over the year. Being part of an Israeli Beit Midrash, located in Kibbutz Migdal Oz, allows overseas students to step into an Israeli community and live and breathe Israel. When not in the Beit Midrash, students are invited to the homes of Israeli students for Shabbat, enabling them to become acquainted with differing communities in Israel. Guest lecturers are invited to Migdal Oz to address timely issues affecting Israeli society.

The serious study, which is all in Ivrit, combined with the spiritually-uplifting ruach, which permeates the Beit Midrash on a daily basis, create an all-encompassing, unique experience which, we hope, remains with the students for the rest of their lives.