Migdal Oz

*Talmud Torah – Be challenged and inspired by serious Torah study. Embark on a deeply rewarding journey to yirat shamayim and religious growth.

*Avodat Hashem ­– An unparalleled religious experience awaits you. Shabbatot, Chagim, and special tefillot in the Beit Midrash will enrich your year and your future spiritual life.

* Community – Enjoy a supportive and welcoming environment, deep friendships, and the chance to feel at home in the world of Torah.

* Religious Growth – An emphasis on religious observance and commitment that is accompanied by a sense of personal responsibility for your connection with Torah and mitzvot, and dedication to Am Yisrael.

*Israel – Migdal Oz is an Israeli Beit Midrash that gives you the opportunity to be part of Israeli society, expand your horizons, develop your Hebrew, and feel a real sense of belonging and connection to Medinat Israel.

Every year Migdal Oz accepts about 130 shana aleph students, aged 18-20, from Israel and abroad. Students from abroad are fully integrated into every aspect of the Beit Midrash experience. They live and study with their Israeli contemporaries, which greatly expands their cultural perspectives, learning opportunities and language skills. The students also benefit from second, third and fourth year students in the Beit Midrash, from the Advanced Talmud Scholars and from the proximity to Herzog College, which offers a plethora of courses in Jewish Studies taught by world experts.

 The curriculum focuses on four main areas: Gemara, Halacha, Tanach, and Jewish Thought. Much of the study revolves around the Beit Midrash, and involves independent study and chevruta preparation. The course selection includes school-wide lectures as well as smaller classes and seminars which allow for more discussion. Each student is encouraged to build a personal schedule that fits her specific needs and desires. Beit Midrash staff and madrichot for overseas students are available for guidance and assistance all day long.  

 Beyond Book Learning

A wide variety of activities complement the academic Beit Midrash studies. Hikes, guest lectures, seminars and workshops, Shabbatot and Chagim, are all part of the spiritually uplifting experience at Migdal Oz.  The Beit Midrash is well known for its beautiful selichot and for the tefillot held on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, Yom Kippur, Yom HaAtzma’ut and other special occasions. All-night learning on Shavuot, Chanuka and Purim celebrations, volunteer work, Rosh Chodesh events, weekly workshops and monthly Beit Midrash discussions all combine to create an atmosphere of joyous engagement with Torah, mitzvot and klal Yisrael. 

Experience Real Life in Israel

At Migdal Oz, overseas students will experience Israeli society and living in Israel on a daily basis. The overseas students are completely integrated into the Israeli program, both in the classroom and in the dorm, enabling students to form close friendships with Israelis and Americans alike. Overseas students will spend many Shabbatot at the homes of their Israeli friends, gaining exposure to Israeli culture and the mosaic of different communities in Israel.  Throughout the year, students will hear guest lectures and enjoy experiences that will acquaint them with current affairs and issues in Israeli society.

The beautiful, green, landscaped Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash campus is located in Kibbutz Migdal Oz, in the hills of Gush Etzion. It is a 20-minute drive to Jerusalem and a 15-minute walk to Efrat, where there are shops, buses, medical and dental clinics, restaurants etc.

The students live in an air-conditioned and heated dormitory. Each dormitory unit is designed for five girls and includes a kitchenette, bedroom, and full bathroom. The Main Building, which is also modern, air conditioned, heated and fully maintained, houses the Beit Midrash, Dining Room, Library, Computer Room, Exercise Room, and Lounge.

Students are served three meals a day and the campus is equipped with  laundry facilities. In addition to the kibbutz’s extensive security system, the campus has its own 24/7 security.

Warm and friendly support staff is also available round-the-clock. There is a full-time Director of Overseas Students, an Eim bayit and madrichot for the overseas students who live on campus, and there is medical staff on the kibbutz grounds at all times

Academic Program – Course Schedule

(click for a sample schedule)

The studies in Migdal Oz focus on imbuing textual skills for lifelong learning, in addition to knowledge and values. Our curriculum  focuses on four main areas: Gemara, Halacha, Tanach, and Machshava. Students are exposed to serious and in-depth study in these areas.

The program is unique in that much of the study takes place in the Beit Midrash, and an emphasis is placed on developing independent learning skills.  Much time is spent learning bichavrutah, and in independent preparation for shiurim.

Migdal Oz puts into the practice the adage “אין אדם לומד תורה אלא במקום שליבו חפץ” “one learns Torah only where  his heart desires”, encouraging and guiding each student to  build her personal schedule from the wide selection of shiurim and learning opportunities, with the guidance of teachers and staff.

The daily schedule of learning in the Beit Midrash is divided into three main units – Seder Boker in the mornings (3 days a week) which focuses on Gemara B’Iyun (in depth study of Talmud), afternoon shiurim in a variety of subjects, and independent study of Seder Erev in the evenings, in either Jewish Philosophy or Bekiut Gemara (Talmud study focused on breadth).

Morning Studies
Three mornings a week are devoted to Gemara b’Iyun , from elementary to advanced levels,  emphasizing understanding the sugya from beginning to end, from Torah She’b’chtav, Mishnah and following the chain of mesora through the Rishonim, Achronim and the scholars of our day. The beginners shiurim emphasize developing independent learning skills, and literacy in Gemara, and the mastery of the Aramaic language. The advanced shiur focuses on the sugya and its conceptual understanding, and furthering independent learning skills. Much of the morning is spent in chavrutah preparation in the Beit Midrash with the Ram present to answer questions and offer guidance.  After chavruta preparation, the class gathers for the Ram’s (gemara teacher) shiur on the sugya.

The other two mornings are focused on Tanach and Jewish Thought.  Sunday morning Tanach classes are taught by renowned educators of Michlelet Herzog Teachers’ College, including Dr. Yael Zeigler and Rav Elchanan Samet. Thursday Morning classes focus on preparation, study and discussion on Jewish Thought, in a smaller group setting.

Afternoon Studies
A wide variety of shiurim are offered in the afternoon slots.  Subjects include Halacha, Jewish Thought and Tanach. See the sample schedule for examples.

Night Seder
Students select a Bekiyut track (study focused on breadth) in Tanach, Machshava, or Gemara. Study takes place in chavrutah in the Beit Midrash, with the guidance of staff memebers and advanced students who are present during this time to answer questions.  Students gain independent learning skills and breadth of knowledge. Each track is accompanied by a weekly shiur which guides the learning and explores topics more indepth.

About the Program:

Where do the students come from?

Students come from all over Israel and also from overseas.   There are about 100 Israeli students and 25-35 students from America, Canada, and England.

Some Israeli students come to Migdal Oz directly out of high school and others come following two years of national or army service.

Will I be integrated with the Israelis?

Yes! The program is completely integrated. All of your classes will be together, in Ivrit. In the dorms, you will live with two or three Israelis.

How much focus is placed on Gemara? Other areas?

Gemara is a main part of the program. Everyone learns gemara three mornings a week in morning seder. As for afternoons, and night seder, you will build a personalized schedule to fit your needs and desires, and you will have many different options to choose from – Tanach, Gemara, Halacha, Machshava, and Chassidut.

Are there any parts of the program which are exclusively for the Overseas students?

The overseas students have one class a week in English taught by Mrs. Shayna Goldberg. In addition, the Overseas students will spend 2 or 3 shabbatot together, and will also have their own tiyulim during times when the Beit Midrash is on break such as Sukkot, Chanukah, and Pesach.

The Overseas students have their own staff, beyond the Beit Midrash staff who are available to them. They have madrichot, and the director of the overseas students, Mrs. Racheli Schmell, and educator Mrs. Shayna Goldberg, who are available to them at all times.

Where will I spend Shabbatot and Chagim?

About every other Shabbat is spent in the Beit Midrash. During out-Shabbatot you will travel to different Israeli communities. Overseas students often go home with their Israeli roommates, chavrutot, and friends for shabbatot and chagim. Our staff will go over your plans for the chagim with you and make sure you have a place to stay and be hosted.

Are there tiyulim?

The Beit Midrash goes on 2-3 tiyulim a year. In addition, the overseas students have their own tiyulim during Sukkot, Chanukah, and Pesach.

Is there preparation for leaving the Beit Midrash? Returning to college etc.?

Yes. During Zman Kayitz, the Overseas staff works on a series of sessions and speakers which are geared specifically towards the overseas students and the college experience which awaits them. The program aims to provide Halachic and Hashkafic guidance for this next step.

Facillities:

Is there Security on Campus?

The Beit Midrash has its own security guards, present 24/7, in addition to the Kibbutz security.

Exercise

There is an exercise room on campus with equipment such as a treadmill, an elliptical etc. Many students also choose to jog on the paths of the kibbutz.

Laundry

A modern, well equipped laundry room is located near the dorms. Students are provided with laundry cards and detergent.

Application and Visits:

How do I schedule a visit to Migdal Oz?

If you would like to check out the Beit Midrash for yourself, please call or email the office and we will be happy to set up a visit.

How do I apply?

Students who are interested in applying should go the http://www.applytosem.org/ site, fill out “The Joint Application Form”, and address it to Migdal Oz along with $100 application fee that is paid via credit card on-line. We will contact the applicant in order to set up an interview and continue the admission process.

Incoming students:

What should I pack?

You will be sent a detailed packing list in the spring packet.

Health Insurance

Migdal Oz uses Harel health insurance. You will receive more information in the spring mailing.

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