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Student Life and Special Events
Students at Mayanot are of university age and represent a variety of Jewish Educational backgrounds. The program includes organized tours and field trips throughout Israel, Shabbatonim, seminars and community functions. Students are encouraged to participate in various charitable efforts in the local community.
Special events and functions are abundant throughout the semester at Mayanot. A detailed schedule of dates and events will be provided at the beginning of the semester. Students will be privileged to meet academics, business leaders, religious thinkers, and politicians who are invited to address and exchange ideas with the student body.
Mayanot organizes a variety of day and overnight trips which offer a chance to explore Israel and broaden understanding of Jewish and Israeli history.
Location
Men's program: located in the heart of Jerusalem; only moments walk from her main cultural attractions at 28 David Yellin St. in Geulah.
Women's program: located in the heart of the beautiful Rehavia neighborhood minutes away from Shuk Machane Yehuda and walking distance to the Kotel, with easy access to major shopping centers and restaurants.
Dormitory Life
Mayanot's dormitory is above our Beit Midrash. These apartment-style dorms feature sitting areas with couches and desks. There is a laundry room available to students at low cost. Some students also live in off-campus housing.
Guidelines for all Dormitory Students
- Students should keep the windows shut and their doors locked at all times when outside their rooms, even when leaving their room only for a brief moment. The front door must be kept locked at all times.
- Students should keep a close watch on all personal articles at all times and not leave them unguarded or outside of their dormitories. It is often easy to become careless with book bags and other such day-to-day items.
- Valuables, such as large amounts of cash, should not be left in the dorms, but rather deposited in a safe deposit box in a bank.
- Students should not invite strangers into their rooms or the dorm area.
- Keys: (a) Upon arrival, keys will be given to students for the front door of the dormitory as well as their individual rooms. A 20 NIS deposit is required for each key, refundable upon return of the keys at the end of the semester. (b) Keys are personal and should not be lent out.
- In deference to others with whom you will be sharing the dorm, please keep things tidy at all times. Excessive noise is expected to cease at a time that others may be sleeping.
- Students should beware of suspicious looking objects (e.g. abandoned bags) near the dorm, particularly in crowded places such as bus stops and bus stations. If you do see a suspicious object DO NOT TOUCH IT! Can the police immediately. In turn, students should never leave their own belongings unsupervised. They might be blown up if they are suspected as being a bomb.
General Security
- Students interested in traveling are encourages to join trips organized by Mayanot or other institutions which can provide the necessary security.
- Students choosing to travel independently are urged to do so in groups and to inform the Student Coordinator of their plans in advance so as to be provided with any necessary safely advice.
- Hitchhiking, whether in a group or alone, is strongly discouraged.
Off Campus Housing
Renting off-campus housing is an attractive option for many students. Monthly rent for a individual sharing an apartment can cost anywhere from $300 to $500, depending on the size, location, amenities of the room/apartment, and number of roommates.
Several basic questions should be asked before signing at contract:
- How much is the rent and Va'ad Bayit (monthly building maintenance committee fee, similar to a condominium fee)? Rent is commonly quoted in US dollars, although it is illegal for landlords to request actual payment in dollars.
- How are rental payments to be made? Often landlords require several months' rent in advance.
- How is the apartment heated? Apartments with a high Va'ad Bayit fee are often centrally heated. Other apartments will need individual heaters, usually provided by the tenant.
- Is the water hearted electrically or by solar energy (dude shemesh)? The difference in cost (i.e. the electricity bill) may be significant.
- Is there a telephone?
- Is a bus ling to Mayanot within walking distance?
- How much is the lawyer's fee (if any) for signing the contract?
- How long is the lease for? Can you or the landlord legally interrupt it?
- General location: Is the apartment on the ground floor? Are there bars on the window? Is it located on a noisy thoroughfare or a quiet side street?
Some ways to look for off campus housing:
- Check with any Mayanot administrative staff for ideas and suggestions.
- Consult the classified ads in the local press, especially the Friday editions.
- Check out www.flathunting.com for Jerusalem rentals.
- Sign up at an agency, such as Ma'agar Meida, which for a monthly fee, provides you with access to their extensive listing of apartments for rent and to share.
Ma'agar Meida, 5 Dorot Rishonim St., Tel: 972-2-625-3728
Meal Plan
Students participating in the meal plan receive three meals a day in our dining hall. As is Israeli custom, lunch is the largest meal of the day. Breakfast and dinner are lighter meals. There is a refrigerator where students can keep food that they buy themselves.
Shabbat and Shabbatons
Students are expected to attend the Mayanot Shabbatons held at various times throughout the semester. Those requiring assistance in finding hosts for Shabbat meals should inform the student coordinator.
Telephone
There is a public phone in Mayanot (972-2-500-2617) accessible to all students. For urgent messages, students can be contacted through the Mayanot office. Office hours are 9 am-6 pm (Israel time), Sunday through Thursday at 972-2-538-8770. This is for emergencies only. Students can rent cell phones at low rates from one of the three national cellular providers: Cellcom, Pelephone, or Orange. Students may also receive faxes (only in case of emergency) through the office at 972-2-500-2629.
Phone Plan
Mayanot will be offering a phone plan to every student who might be interested. There are options of several different packages that you will be able to choose from including a $200 initial deposit which will be returned after the last payment upon return of equipment. If you are interested in this plan please let us know and you will receive details and a form upon your arrival.
Making Overseas Calls
From a public telephone, dial 188 and tell the operator that you would like to place a collect or credit card overseas call. The operator will ask for your name and number and will call you back in several minutes. From a private telephone you should dial directly or, if necessary, call 188 and follow the instructions above.
Internet
For $10 for the year Mayanot has personal mailboxes for each student (which they can keep as alumni). This is the only account students will be able to access using our student computer. Students can write email offline and their mail will be sent and received once a day.
Mail
It is most convenient for students to arrange to have mail sent to their private apartments rather than the Mayanot office. For those residing in the dormitory, it is recommended that mail be sent to: 28 David Yellin St., POB 57826, Jerusalem 91575.
Insurance
Each student attending Mayanot must have medical insurance. If you do not have traveler's insurance you may arrange insurance through the Mayanot Israel office at a rate of $1 per day. If you would be interested in this arrangement, please let us know and you will receive a form upon your arrival. Please note that with traveler's insurance you will be responsible for the initial payment only after which your insurance company will reimburse you but not necessarily the full amount. On the other hand, the insurance plan that Mayanot offers will be complete and instant coverage.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition expenses appear on the Mayanot application form. These must be paid in order to attend classes at Mayanot. Payment in full 30 days prior to commencement of study entitles the student to a 10% discount. Expect to pay approximately two hundred dollars on basic school expenses such as textbooks and key and dormitory deposits.
Financial Aid
Limited financial aid is available based on both merit and need. Awards are given in the form of interest-free loans, grants, work-study, and flexible payment schedules. Students wishing financial aid should fill out the financial aid application and send it with their application to our Israeli office.
Transportation from Ben-Gurion Airport to Jerusalem
Egged offers regularly scheduled bus service from Ben-Gurion Airport to the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem throughout the day and evening for 18 NIS. Tel: 03-694-8888 for bus schedules.
Nesher offers 24-hours Sherut (shared) Taxi service from outside gate number eight at the airport for 40 NIS.
You can take a private taxi from outside of the departures gate for between 120 and 150 NIS depending on the time of day and how much luggage you have.
Sending Gifts
If you would like to send gifts, you can send flowers in Israel by calling 972-2-625-4969. Alternatively, food and wine gift packages can be sent inside and outside Israel by calling Dash Cham at 972-2-672-2355.
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