Some Basic Facts about Jerusalem
A New Culture
Extra Activities
Housing
Meals
Security
Healthcare and Insurance
Passports and Visas


Some Basic Facts about Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a small city. You will get to know certain parts of it quite quickly.

The CY and HAC are both located in the center of the city – the CY on Agron Street at the beginning of King George Street and HAC on HaNevi’im (Prophets) Street, close to Zion Square on Jaffa Road. The two institutions are an easy, picturesque walk one from the other, 10-15 minutes unless you are distracted by the coffee shops and shopping along the way.

While it’s great to know Hebrew, one can manage perfectly well in English. Almost everyone speaks English, most signs are in English, and many products found in stores are labelled in English as well as Hebrew (and often in Russian and Arabic, too). There are modern supermarkets as well as smaller neighbourhood grocery stores. There is the colorful Machane Yehuda shuk, which is very Middle Eastern, and the Malcha Mall, which looks like Suburbia, Anywhere.

There is a remarkable variety of cultural activities of all types for a city this size, not to mention the level of Jewish activity, in Hebrew and English, which you won’t find anywhere else.
A New Culture
For many of you this will be your first time living abroad, at least on your own and for an extended period. We are aware of this and will do our best to help you bridge the “culture gap” as quickly as possible.  Meeting Israelis is one of the best ways to do this, and if you don’t have Israeli friends or relatives, we’ll help you. The CY has a gemilut chesed program (helping people in need) and this is often a meaningful way to make contact with the local population.
Extra Activities 
Students will be full members of the Conservative Yeshiva community for all activities during the semester, in and outside of Jerusalem, including Shabbatonim, fieldtrips, etc. In addition there will be extra activities and opportunities to meet Israelis and get a taste of Israeli culture.

The CY also conducts special learning and activities for the Jewish holidays and dates of significance in the Israeli calendar, e.g., Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha’atzma’ut, Yom Yerushalayim, and Shavuot.
Housing
Students at the CY and HAC live in apartments in Jerusalem, usually within walking distance. The CY and HAC do not have dormitories.

Living in apartments, usually with other students or with Israelis, is a great way to become familiar with the city and feel “like the natives.” Finding housing is the student’s responsibility but the CY-HAC will assist in locating possible rooms or apartments. You can begin the search a few months before the semester begins and we will help you with information about websites, agencies we work with and information we have or receive through our network of contacts in the city.
Meals
The CY and HAC do not provide meals, but the CY kitchen has cabinet and drawer space for student use for breakfast and lunch, as well as a refrigerator, microwave and toaster oven.  Shabbat and holiday meals are the students’ responsibility, but there are many weeks when students have meals together in their apartments or “pot luck” together at the CY.
Security
We know that you, and very likely even more so, your family/friends are concerned for your security when you will be in Israel. Please be assured that the security of the students is the highest priority of the CY and HAC. First of all, both campuses – CY and HAC – are closed, with entry only through a gate controlled by an armed guard.  In addition, we work closely with the Security Department of the Jewish Agency and provide notice to our students whenever we receive security alerts from them. All trips are conducted according to the security guidelines of the Jewish Agency and the Nature Society.
Healthcare and Insurance
Students must have proof of healthcare coverage in order to enroll in the Discover Jerusalem accredited semester. Some American plans will cover you while you are in Israel; others will not, so you need to check.
If not, good coverage is available in Israel for students for approximately $1/day; no residence visa is required. Once you are accepted in the program, the CY office will provide all the necessary information.
Passports and Visas
You will need a valid passport (from home) and visa (from Israel) to study in the program. Either a student or tourist visa can work- neither will affect aliyah rights, but we highly recommend that you obtain a student visa before coming to Israel. Once you are accepted in the program, the CY office will provide all the necessary information about these options.