Coexistence in the Middle East, one of The Rothberg International School’s newest programs, is an academic field program in Israel which seeks to promote coexistence by providing future leaders unique opportunities to gain first-hand contact and interaction with different cultures.

Sponsored by the Israel National Commission for UNESCO and organized in collaboration with the International Institute of Leadership of Israel, Coexistence in the Middle East is an introduction to the challenges and complexities of coexistence. The relationships that the program focuses on include Western and Middle Eastern Civilizations, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, Israel and Arab/Muslim Countries and Palestinians and Israelis.

Through interactions with representatives from a wide variety of groups and visits to key sites, the Coexistence in the Middle East program allows participants to analyze the current state of affairs in the Middle East from a more pluralistic, academic, and human perspective.

Program Details:

• 3 academic credits obtained through the Rothberg International School (RIS) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• A 6 credit program is also available in which participants are able to enroll in both CME as well as one of several summer courses at Hebrew University
• A wide range of topics to be covered including: Jerusalem The Center of The Monotheistic Faiths, The Security Barrier, Arab Population and Islam, Hezbollah and Iran’s Influence in Lebanon, Peace Process Proposals and Prospects, Hamas and Gaza’s Disengagement, Jordan – Masada – and the Dead Sea, Examples of Dialogue and Coexistence Projects, and much more
• Lecturers include: academics, Israeli and Palestinian NGO leaders, Arab & Jewish government officials, members of the spectrum of political parties, military staff and civilian population, religious leaders from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths

The dates of the program are June 26-July 26. This program is open to all registered university and college students and faculty members, and university alumni may participate if they have graduated within the last 5 years.

If you’re interested in this fabulous opportunity check out the website at http://coexistencetrip.net for full details or email info@coexistencetrip.net . Applications are due on April 5^th.

To describe the current effects of military service on my life as a Hebrew University student, I should probably start at the beginning. Like most Israelis, a few months after I graduated High school, I was drafted into the IDF, which in many ways is a continuation of High School, sans adult supervision. High School, distilled and condensed to its key components – cliques, jocks, queen bees, insecurity – a lot of people trying to keep their heads down and survive until its all over. Then of course there are those annoying people who seem to flourish (though, as in High School, they may actually be more vulnerable than they seem).

When I completed boot camp, I was assigned to the West Bank territories, to work as a Sergeant of Operations in a battalion level war room. This included everything from supervising routine activities and organizing our first response to incidents, to dead-of-night raids on the kitchen to make sure all the soldiers in the field were well fed. When my two years of compulsory service were up, I volunteered for another 5 months of service to oversee some changes in my area, and to train the next generation of Sergeants of Operations.

For the first few year after I was released, my reserve duty consisted of showing up for the occasional interview. The IDF was had just begun to increase the number of women in the Reserves, and I was in the first batch of Sergeants of Operations required to serve.

This all changed a few weeks ago, when I was called up for a four day drill. I was initially worried that I wouldn’t be able to get into the right ‘head space’, but it all came back to me quickly. The whole ‘woman in a man’s world’ melodrama, dealing with deadbeat ‘jobniks’, trying to get officers to do things in the least stupid way (you have to make them think that they thought of it first), finding a discrete place to answer natures call in a really flat desert, etc.

Reserve duty can adversely affect campus life in a variety of ways. Obviously, you miss a lot of classes when you’re off in the middle of nowhere playing silly buggers. Additionally, unless you’re an LL Bean model, the desert night in the middle of winter is not conducive to cramming. If you’re called up during finals, you miss a lot of test dates and are stuck taking secondary tests in the middle of the next semester (more on that later). Assuming you manage to get back to campus to take a test, it almost never goes well due to the sleep deprivation and general exasperation and distractedness caused by military life. Papers backlog, and even with extensions, they tend to end up being last minute scribbles.

Since reserve duty is a generally a Universal blight upon student life, the institution has found ways of minimizing the damage. All courses are required to have at least two test, one during finals and a second date about a month are so later. Known as ‘Mo’edei Bet’, these secondary dates can be a life saver even if you don’t have reserve duty. On the other hand, winter semester tests can disrupt spring semester studies, and spring semester studies can disrupt summer break. Students often complain about having a ‘Mo’ed Bet’ weighing on their mind.

While the Hebrew University is a hodgepodge of passionate political and philosophical views, the importance of performing reserve duty is something that almost everyone can agree on. Lecturers and TA’s are generally flexible and accommodating, though they typically can’t resist the temptation to throw in a little propaganda. Like so many of the situations one faces as a student in academia, it’s best to nod and smile.

A post by Eyal David, sophomore at the Hebrew University

My name is Eyal David and this is my second year at the Hebrew University as a student of International Relations and Middle Eastern studies. This is also my second year in The Jerusalem Folklore Ensemble – the Hebrew University’s student dance group. Since I was a child I loved to dance but I didn’t do much about it. (It was mainly for fun – as dance, in my opinion, is needed for the soul). That changed when I came to the university, passed the audition for the group and officially joined it. We dance to different Israeli folklore themes. We also incorporate some ethnic Jewish folklore themes, with dances from places like the Balkans, Russia and Yemen. What makes our dances more exciting is that a live band always accompanies us. They are an important part of the group and this makes for a unified team. We have rehearsals every week and perform for many different events – from dance festivals, weddings and even appear on television. Every year it is our tradition to travel abroad to represent Israel and the university in folklore festivals around the world, or in Jewish communities that invite us. For me, being in this group is not only about the dancing,  but the fact that it’s one big family, as we spend so much of time together. I can say that I’m proud to be a member of this group which is considered to be one of Israel’s leading Folklore groups. This year we celebrate our 55^th anniversary in a big performance in the Jerusalem theatre at the end of March.

Here are some pictures of the group and you can also find us at: http://www.JFE.co.il.

This month, on campuses across the country, Jewish students and Israel supporters will be faced with Israeli Apartheid Week. IAW, also known as anti-Israel week occurs on campuses throughout North America and Europe. During this week attempts are made by IAW organizers to spread misleading information through lectures, handouts and demonstrations while using intimidating tactics to delegitimize Israel’s existence.

In response to this week, the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University is sponsoring an event being organized by Hillel Toronto called Lyla Lavan (White Night). This evening will bring Israeli music, arts and fashion to the forefront in a celebration of Israeli culture. The event begins at 4:00 PM at the Gladstone Hotel with an animation and graphics presentation by Israeli artists. The party will then continue at On the Rox nightclub where event attendees will have the opportunity to taste Israeli wines and appetizers, view photo exhibits presented by Birthright students and IsraAid, watch a fashion show featuring Israeli designers and see performances by Israeli rock band Eatliz, Israeli electro group Automatic Toys and DJs Zed’s Dead, DJ Golan and DJ Pele Pele.

This event is sure to be a lot of fun and is a great way to show your support for Israel during IAW. To purchase tickets for this event, please click here.  We look forward to seeing you at this awesome event!

Hebrew U welcomes 12 displaced US students from Egypt. Check out this fascinating video.

A post by Ohad Moser, sophomore at the Hebrew University

When I think of American Colleges, a lot of sports come to mind.  It seems like everybody has a team they’re on – football, soccer, basketball, golf… I’ve even heard of a frisbee team. Unfortunately for me, all that doesn’t exist here in Israel. Well, not formally at the University anyway. I regret that. But it doesn’t mean that us Israelis are couch potatoes. In fact it’s quite the opposite. We just like to get fit in a less competitive way.

The Mount Scopus campus at the Hebrew University offers us the Lerner Indoor Sports Complex.  To tell you the truth, it meets all my expectations. The standards are very high and the facility is well maintained. The staff is willing and friendly and the environment is pleasant. One big problem remains, and that is the price – 1,400 Shekels per year. That’s about  $380 CAD! It might not sound a lot for a year, but my friends at other Universities pay much less. Then again, the complex is very modern. Oh well, I guess it’s worth the price.

To say that we don’t have team sports is not quite correct. There are some informal gatherings of rugby or ultimate frisbee at the parks across the city. But those are organized – surprise, surprise – mostly by foreign students. I rarely get to go to these, since my busy schedule doesn’t give me much free time, but I’ve heard that it’s catching on recently. Who knows, maybe one day the University will adopt it and we’ll be just like the American Colleges. On the other hand, do we really want that?

I love Israel but I miss ice skating. So when I heard that Safra Square – our famous Municipal Centre was creating a giant ice rink, I was excited. “Rockefeller in Jerusalem” runs from March 10 – April 14. The whole of Safra Square will be turned into a 500 meter ice skating rink!  Then there’s 200 meters of non-ice space for hanging out with coffee shops and shopping. If you’re missing Canada, the opening night will cure any homesickness with an artistic figure skating show featuring the best of Israeli ice skaters, as well as an ice hockey game.
Safra Square has always been a grand headquarters for Jerusalem.  It is a fitting home to Israel’s 3000 years of municipal government with beautiful, vintage architecture. I found it fascinating that it sits evenly over the  pre-1967 split line between Jerusalemites from both the eastern and western parts of town. There is a Municipality building, as well as the courthouse and historical buildings from the British Mandatory period. The view over Mt Scopus is breathtaking. Safra is also home home to our Jerusalem lion symbol. I’ve posted some pictures which say it better than I can. This will be a great event! See you there.

Check out more at http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/item_11869/Rockefeller-in-Jerusalem-Ice-Skating-in-Safra-Square

By Yochana Storch:

My first place of residence as a student of the Hebrew University was the Student Village. Within a few months, I had decided to transfer to the Reznik Dormitories and have lived there ever since.

The Student Village is a large complex of multistoried buildings. Each houses several dozen 5 bedroom apartments. The apartments are complemented by central heating and air-conditioning, a large kitchen and duel bathrooms. The population of the village represents the diversity of Israeli society and the Hebrew University. Native Israelis share apartments with Jews and none Jews from around the world. For instance, I was once planning a dinner with friends from Japan, Malaysia, Argentina and the US, when someone came up with the bright idea that we should each bring a ‘Traditional dish’ from our respective home country. After a brief discussion, it became painfully clear that to us, a ‘Traditional dish’ was more of a theoretical concept that something you could actually cook and eat. Despite our lack of authenticity, the end of the year heralded a mash up of the best of Hanukkah, Christmas and the Chinese New Year.

Unfortunately, being the bigger, better more modern dormitories, the Student Village is also more expensive to run, and residents of the apartments have to pay utility bills on top of the basic rent. Additionally, the warm company did nothing to improve the harsh esthetic of the newly minted complex. Promising to keep in touch through Facebook, I packed up and moved the Reznik, the oldest surviving dorms of the Mount Scopus campus. There, separate rooms, 10 to a floor, share a communal bathroom and kitchen. Residents can either rent their own room or share with a room mate. Situated across the street from the University, Reznik is a five minute walk from most classes.

When I arrived in Reznik, the sharp scent of fresh paint and aggressive cleaning material was replaced by the far more welcoming fragrance of damp plywood. The aura of decay gives the place a ‘lived in’ feeling. While the Student Village is beautified by the occasional shrub and dominated by bricks and mortar, Reznik has a far gentler landscape of trees, hedges, grass and false hills. Though more homogeneous then the Village, the mash up dinners are still to be found, if you know where to look. I’ve heard that there are social clubs and pubs on the grounds, but never bothered to follow up. Either way, both dorms have stops for the #19 bus, which is a direct and fast line to downtown (at least it was before they decided to build a light rail train straight through the heart of the city. These days, all bets are off). It’s a tough choice between the Student Village, which is somewhat desolate but blessed with great living conditions, and the more minimalist (borderline shabby) and homely Reznik. I’ve heard that the Bronfman Edelson dorms, down the street the Village, are a good compromise.

All the dorms have regular maintenance staff, who – in my experience at least – respond quickly to any crisis. A professional security staff provides round the clock security and is ready to respond to a variety of events, including excessive noise after hours or indoor smoking.

Staying at Hebrew University means your home away from home could be on one of three campuses in Jerusalem:

1)   Mt. Scopus (Har Ha’tzofim)

2)   Givat Ram, and

3)   Hadassah Ein Karem.

So what’s the difference? Mt. Scopus is located on the border between East and West Jerusalem and is known as the humanities campus. Givat Ram, which houses the engineering and sciences is located near the Knesset and is about a 30-40 minute walk to downtown. Hadassah is the medical campus and located above the village of Ein Karem which is about a 20 minute drive out of the city.

Which dorms are the best for you?

Unless you are actually working on Mt. Scopus, I would advise living in the dorms in Givat Ram. The Lieberman Dorms are really great. It is a graduate dorm and the most modern dorm on campus. All the rooms are have a bed, kitchenette, and bathroom in the room. You have to buy or bring your own linens, pillow, and kitchen supplies – but its excellent having all the facilities available.

In Givat Ram there is a minimart really close to the dorm. A cheaper option is a super market that is a 15-20 minute walk downhill and off campus (from the side gate).

You can do your laundry in another dorm near Lieberman – but you need a laundry card first that you can add cash to at the card machine in the dorm office building.

What’s Mt. Scopus like?

At Mt. Scopus you will live in the Student Village in the French Hill neighborhood next to the university. It is just a half mile from the university. The difference is the rooms are apartments with 5 single rooms, and a shared kitchenette and bathroom. You will have to buy or bring your own linens, pillow, and kitchen supplies. Rent is $600/month. Additionally there is a $255 program fee charged by the Rothberg International School.

For a closer look at dorm options take this cool 360 degree tour at http://multimedia.huji.ac.il/tour360/dorm360list-e.html

What are your options?

Living off campus can be a great option too (unless you need to be on campus every day). By planning ahead you can find accommodation that might be better – and cheaper than the dorms.  Look on craigslist or yahoo ‘’flathunting’’ group – or ask the university for off-campus housing options. Places to look are: Old City, Mamila, the German Colony, Rehavia, Baka, Ben Yehuda, and Yemin Moshe. When planning to rent a place, make sure you nail down out all the details of the lease (cost, length of time, heating, tax etc).

One thing for sure, where you stay is really important to how you enjoy your experience at Hebrew U. If you start at one accommodation and don’t like it, do not be afraid to move to another. There are definitely options – and something for everyone’s taste and budget.

Yonny