Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gathered the most common questions in one place to make things simple, clear, and easy as you explore your next steps.
Shapell’s Students
-
The Shapell’s’ student body includes single and married university-educated men who are highly motivated to develop their textual skills, specifically in Gemara learning, and deepen their knowledge of Torah and inspiration in Judaism through a serious yeshiva experience.
-
Generally 40-50 students.
-
Shapell's attracts a wide demographic of English-speaking students from across the world.
-
The Shapell's curriculum is around 2.5 years in its entirety but many cannot commit to coming for that long. We recommend coming for a full zman which can vary in length depending on the time of year. Minimally we will allow a student to live in our dorms for a stay of 3 weeks.
-
Students come to Shapell’s from diverse Jewish and educational backgrounds. Most did not grow up observant and became more interested in and committed to their Judaism during university or in the years that followed. Others grew up Orthodox, and some have previously studied in traditional yeshivot and come to Shapell’s looking to strengthen their learning skills and deepen their Torah learning.
-
Although our core group is usually between the ages of 20-30 we welcome talmidim of all ages 20+.
Academic Program
-
7:30 Shacharit (M,Th)
7:15 Rosh Chodesh Shacharit
7:40 Shacharit (Su,Tu,W)
9:15 First Seder - Gemara beIyun
1:00 Lunch - With special optional classes almost every day!
2:50 Mincha
3:10 Second Seder - Gemara bekiyus, Halacha, Chumash, Hebrew Grammar
7:00 Dinner
7:45 Night Seder - Chavrutas, personal learning, and more optional classes :)
9:45 Maariv
-
Our days are jam-packed with classes and we even offer optional classes during lunch and most evenings for those who are interested.
That being said, there are no classes on Fridays. We also have an official break between 1 PM and 2:50 PM where students can rest, exercise, do errands, use our outdoor gym, etc.
-
While it is fine if you have learned Gemara, we do recommend that a student have at least a working knowledge of the Aleph-Bet and Hebrew reading. If not, we can still work with you to get you up to the “Basics” level. If you are not at this level, please indicate such in your application essay.
-
Our curriculum focuses on building Hebrew literacy including Ulpan time. We also have Hebrew speaking staff who are happy to practice language skills with students.
-
Shapell’s is anchored in the shiur (small class) experience with expert rabbeim, moving methodically from one level to the next.
Students can choose from the following electives*:
1) Gedolei Yisrael
2) Chabura on Shas Topics
3) Shalom Bayit for Engaged and Married Men
4) Sefer Tanya
5) Jewish Philosophy
6) Shem Mishmuel
7) Rav Kook
8) Shev Shmaysa
9) Nefesh HaChaim
*Optional classes may change between zmanim.
-
We have a host of tutors who are available to learn 1 on 1 with students at different parts of the day. All the rabbeim are potential mentors; especially the mashgiach, Rav Gidon Schneider, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Dovid Schoonmaker, and others that have many time slots for those who want to speak and be guided by them.
-
While there are no grades there are occasional tests given for the students to measure their progress and increase accountability.
-
Shapell's can provide a transcript listing the courses taken.
Campus Life
-
Shapell's is located in Jerusalem’s neighborhood of Beit HaKerem, very close to the light rail, the Central Bus Station and to the center of town. Beit HaKerem is a buzzing area well-served by public transport and with stores of all kinds, banks, supermarkets, coffee bars, cafes and restaurants. It is also adjacent to the beautiful Jerusalem forest with miles of trails, hikes and places to walk and run. On Shabbat many of our students walk over to the nearby neighborhoods of Har Nof, Nachlaot, Rechavia, and the Old City. The address of the school campus is 5 Beit HaKerem Street.
-
For full-time students under 30 we have a wonderful dormitory which is in the same building as our other facilities. The Shapell’s building is actually a converted hotel! In addition, Shapell's students can live off-campus, as many part-time and students over 30 do.
-
The bedrooms include closets, linen, blankets and pillows, bathrooms, showers, and AC. There are laundry facilities, an outdoor gym and WiFi available as well.
-
We provide 3 meals a day with a featured hot lunch, including healthy salads and vegetarian options. In the winter lunch often includes fresh, home-made soup. Tea, coffee and snacks are available to students throughout the day.
-
Yes
-
The Shapell's campus is located in an historically safe, friendly neighborhood. Even so, we keep our doors locked and alarmed. Doors are accessed by a code which all students have. Fire alarms are always functioning. Our dorms all have electronic safes that can be re-programmed and each student has a key to his dorm room. Lastly, the building has an on-site bomb shelter.
-
Shapell's has a small outdoor gym with exercise equipment, mats and weights. Fully-equipped public gyms, pools, a basketball court, and a running track are located nearby.
Application and Tuition
-
Yes. Students requiring financial aid should first look into local options. Many local Jewish federations, synagogues, youth groups, and other organizations offer scholarships for study in Israel, and are familiar with Shapell’s. Students should firstly identify and reach out to these dedicated sources of funding.
Shapell’s is also part of the MASA program, allowing MASA-qualifying students to use this funding towards their tuition.
For students needing further financial assistance, Shapell’s makes generous needs-based scholarships available to those students who qualify. Students may apply for financial assistance once they have been accepted to Shapell’s by contacting our Executive Director, Rabbi Shmuel Jablon at sjablon@darchenoam.org.
We also work with students to create payment plans during and after their stay that make it possible to learn at Shapell’s.
-
You can apply to Shapell’s at any time by filling out a pre-application here. After the team reviews it, we will send you a full application to your email address. Along with the full application, we require an essay, two references and a medical form. Details will be included with the full application.
-
We sometimes require an interview by phone or Zoom.
-
Once we have all the relevant information and documents, it can take up to two weeks to process your application.
Extracurricular Activities
-
We try not to have too many activities going on after hours as students have a long day.
Besides our optional afternoon and evening classes, you’ll find our student body hosting and participating in life cycle and holiday related celebrations together.
-
Shapell's prides itself on the regular tiyulim that we offer throughout the year. These are both fun and educational and allow our students to spend time with their rabbeim in a less formal setting, experience both biblical and modern Jewish history, and explore the amazing sites of our beautiful country.
-
Generally, one out of every three Shabbatot is an “in-Shabbat”, where different rabbeim come to be with, teach and inspire students. Twice a year are the famous “Super Shabbosim” where many rabbeim join to enhance the experience. The other Shabbatot are a time for students to unwind, eat at local families, or explore and visit different communities throughout Israel, spending Shabbat with family, friends, our alumni, faculty, and staff.
In the afternoon, groups of students often go to Shaare Tzedek hospital to do the mitzvah of bikur cholim.
-
A couple can still participate in our couple’s programming even if only one spouse is learning in MRC or Shapell’s, but they will certainly benefit more from all that the program has to offer if they are both learning in our Yeshiva and Midrasha.
-
No. Although most of our participants are relatively newly married, the program is open for couples at any stage.
-
No. Dates can be flexible to suit your schedule.
-
Yes. It will just take advanced planning to arrange childcare.
-
For our two fellowship couples, we have two apartments available on the Yeshiva campus. These are partially subsidized, meaning you’ll be responsible for a portion of the rent. All other couples have to organize their own accommodations. We recommend finding apartments in neighborhoods in close proximity to the Yeshiva and Midrasha.
-
No. Part-time schedules can be coordinated with the Yeshiva and Midrasha.
-
Yes.
-
You should complete the standard application for admission to Shapell’s and your wife should apply to MRC.
-
Fellowships are for married couples who will commit to an entire academic year of full time study at Shapell’s/ Yeshiva Darche Noam and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Fellows are expected to maintain excellent attendance, pursue their studies diligently, be role models for their fellow students, and play a leadership role in the Yeshiva and Midrasha community.
-
Full tuition (after MASA Israel scholarships for those who are eligible; see https://www.masaisrael.org/program/midreshet-rachel-shapells-yeshiva-darche-noam/)
Daily lunch (the main meal of the day in Israel) when classes are in session.
Participation at “In Shabbatot” (10 – 12 times a year), special Shabbatonim (multiple times a year) and the other activities of both divisions.
The ability to rent partially subsidized on-campus housing in one of the apartments on the Shapell’s campus.
-
Fellowships do not cover travel to and from Israel, other food not listed above, other apartment expenses, transit within Israel, cell phones, child care, insurance, and other daily incidental expenses.
Students who qualify for additional needs-based scholarships from MASA Israel are encouraged to apply to MASA. Any needs-based funds received will be credited to the Fellows in the form of a monthly stipend which can be used to pay their subsidized rent or for other needs.
-
All applicants must first complete the standard application for admission to Shapell’s and MRC. Upon acceptance to the Yeshiva and Midrasha, candidates for a fellowship will then be invited to complete a supplementary application.
Fellowship finalists then are interviewed by the Dean/Rosh Yeshiva for a final decision.
-
Yes. We never want to turn students away for financial reasons and do our best to make it feasible for both spouses to study in our schools.
