Mission Statement

Goals of the Program:

       1.         The study of Torah for its own sake and the opening of serious, high-level opportunities for women to develop dedication to study and the perception of the world of Jewish study as a significant aspect of the worship of God and of the establishment of a religious life.

       2.         The formation of a learning community that will develop the personality of each student as a worshipper of God and as a spiritual individual, able and motivated to make a meaningful contribution to Am Yisrael in any number of fields.

Study

This program is unique, in that the bulk of study revolves around the Beit Midrash. Within the Beit Midrash, students are able to learn and grow through a direct, first-hand encounter with the world of Torah, its disciplines, and its literature.  The course of study focuses on four major areas:  Talmud, Jewish Law, Tanach, and Jewish Thought.

The program of study combines classes and self-study, which takes place b'chevruta (with study partners) in the Beit Midrash.  Teachers, male and female (the majority of whom are faculty members of Yeshivat Har Etzion and/or the Herzog College), renowned scholars in their respective fields, deliver classes on a very high level.  Some of the classes are frontal lectures, including introductory lessons in each area.  Others are guided seminars, in which students do intensive, independent preparation in the Beit Midrash - where the teacher is available, if needed - and class time is spent in active discussion involving the students and the teacher.  Most frontal lectures are given to 20-40 students at a time (depending on the class), whereas guided-study classes tend to have 10-15 students.  Students also spend many hours in the Beit Midrash for seder (organized study) b'chevruta, where carefully targeted input fosters the acquisition of new skills.

Great emphasis is placed on the development of these self-study skills, which provide the tools that enable students to continue their studies beyond the walls and the structure of the Beit Midrash.  The Yeshiva puts into practice the adage, "A person does not learn Torah except in a place where one's heart desires," striving to help each student achieve an optimal balance among the various Torah disciplines, and between frontal and guided classes.

Israel

This program is unique in that it is a completely Israeli program. Overseas students are fully integrated into the Israeli program. Both the classes and dormitories are mixed. Therefore, there is maximum interaction between the American and Israeli students and close friendships are developed over the year. Being part of an Israeli Beit Midrash, located in Kibbutz Migdal Oz, American students step into an Israeli community and live and breathe Israeli culture and politics. When not in the Beit Midrash, students are invited to the homes of Israeli students for shabbat, enabling them to become acquainted with differing communities in Israel. Guest lectures are invited to address timely issues affecting Israeli society.

University and preparation for Post Israel

While the year in Israel emphasizes intense Torah study, the message which we try to impart to the students is that the year in Israel is not separate from what comes afterwards, but rather preparation for a lifetime of Torah study and a Torah way of life. The Ramim devote much time to discussing relevant issues with the students and are always available for guidance and to answer questions which may arise. Students are encouraged to attend university with the goal being the pursuit of the best possible education they can obtain in the area of study which interests them and in which they can make an important contribution to society in general, and to Jewish society specifically. The Beit Midrash is aware of the challenges involved in interacting with the secular world and these issues are discussed at length with the Ramim and teachers over the course of the year in various contexts. Most of the Israeli students attend Bar Ilan University or Hebrew University and some American students choose to remain in Israel to do Sherut Leumi or to attend university, while others attend Stern College, U. of Penn, Columbia University, Brandeis University, and other universities.

The uniqueness of the program in  Migdal Oz is that it strives to create a balance between intense, challenging learning in Torah and building a spiritual community of ovdot Hashem within the Beit Midrash. This is done through four channels. The Learning Channel that believes that serious Torah study and kiyum mitzvot is the most direct way to progress in avodat Hashem; The Spiritual Channel where the Beit Midrash is a place where people come to improve and grow in tefillah, midot and yirat Shamayim; The Devotion Channel – Personal stimulation to work hard and the willingness to be constantly challenged is required in order to achieve the learning and spiritual goals within such a short period of time; and The Social Channel –  in order for the year in the Beit Midrash to be a meaningful one, the Beit Midrash must serve as a strong and supportive environment in which every girl feels comfortable and welcome.  

 It is our hope that the young women who study here will develop a deep, religious connection to Torah and Hashem, a heightened commitment to halachah, and a strong dedication to Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.