FAQ
What is the format of the TOS program?
In contrast to previous years, our seminars will be conducted only in person this year, during our Friday Round Table. The technical parts of the seminars are maintained by teaching assistants to ensure a smooth educational and class experience and to allow the seminar leaders to focus on teaching. Over the course of the year, we’ll have nine Friday Round Table events at our Jerusalem office. Each of these events will begin with your seminar, and afterwards feature a lecture or debate with leading Israel public figures. We’ll serve a delicious meal during which you can meet students from all of the different seminars. Finally, we will host two shabbatonim over the course of the year to deepen our intellectual, religious, and social bonds.
How many seminar tracks can I enroll in?
One.
How much does this program cost?
The program is free of charge to the students.
Do I need to be an alumna or alumnus of a Tikvah Fund high school program to participate?
No. The program is open to all post high-school students studying abroad in Israel who are in Israel for the duration of the academic year.
What are the requirements for participants?
Students must commit to attending each event, completing the assigned readings before each seminar, and actively participating in group discussions. The reading assignments will be very reasonable and take into account the busy schedule of shana ba-aretz programs.
Which yeshivot, seminaries, and gap-year programs have participated in TOS?
Since the program began in 2010, TOS has included participants from over twenty-five different yeshivot, midrashot, and other gap-year programs.
What happens if I have a school program on the day of a Friday Round Table event?
Occasionally, your institution might have a trip or an event on a Friday. If that event is optional, we expect you to attend the TOS event. If that event is mandatory, we will help coordinate with your school to work out a way to attend both the TOS seminar as well as your school’s program. In some cases, this might include finding alternative transportation options to the Tikvah event (like after Friday morning shiur) or TOS providing transportation to your school’s event (such as a shabbaton). If the conflict is unavoidable, the student will receive an excused absence for the TOS event.
How do I set up my interview? What should I expect in my interview?
Once you have completed the entire registration form and clicked “submit,” you will have the opportunity to schedule a 15 minute online interview. During the interview, applicants will have a chance to speak about their hobbies, interests, and aspirations. They will also be asked about their thoughts and perspectives various issues, including current events, political debates, or intellectual queries relating to the themes of the program. There are no right or wrong answers—we promise! Students are simply expected to articulate their thoughts on a range of matters intelligently and compellingly.
Have more questions? Please reach out to Ariella Gentin at agentin@tikvahfund.org
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