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Welcome to the world of Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh, the premier house of Torah study facing the Western Wall. For one precious year that seems to pass in the blink of an eye, high-caliber students from around the world come to study and absorb the unrivalled ruach of the Old City. In the process, they indelibly imprint on their souls a love of G-d, Torah, the Jewish people, and the land of Israel.It is a world whose over-arching hashkafa is the centrality of Torah in the life of every Jew. Accordingly, devotion to Torah study is stressed as the linchpin of Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh's Overseas Program. The program, whose curriculum is specifically designed for overseas students, is intellectually stimulating and challenging, focusing on enhancing the student's background in Talmud and original sources, so that he will have the desire and ability to continue learning once he leaves Yeshiva. College enrolment is strongly encouraged, with kollel programs seen as a goal for a select few. With respect to Israel, the Overseas Program's perspective is aligned with that of the Religious Zionist movement. All the members of the Yeshiva faculty share a uniquely informal approach to formal instruction. They provide guidance, encouragement and constant attention, and enjoy roles as mentors, confidants, and friends. Their commitment to 'the boys' knows no bounds. In the dormitory, and even in their own living rooms, the Yeshiva's unparalleled faculty is always available to offer advice and help. Special events such as Chanukah parties in the homes of the Rebbaim exhibit the warmth and commitment with which they relate to their students.
In addition to its academic goals, Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh's Overseas Program aspires to instill in each of its students a commitment and love for Eretz Yisrael and its people. This is accomplished through an extensive program of tiyulim where students receive a firsthand appreciation of the country's history, geography and culture. It is also accomplished through the Yeshiva's emphasis on interacting with Israelis. The relationships thus formed with the land of Israel and its people last long after the boys return overseas. Harav Avigdor Nebenzahl, shlita, the Rav of the Old City and a renowned halachic authority in Israel, serves as a Senior Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh. Harav Nebenzahl has the distinction of having been the talmid and chevruta for over forty years of Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach,zt"l, the leading posek of our generation. Harav Nebenzahl gives a special shiur in English to the overseas students, and hosts many students in his home for kiddush after Shabbat morning vatikin davening. The Overseas Program curriculum is a recognized college credit-bearing program associated with the Joint Program of Yeshiva University. Other selected universities offer full or partial credit for work completed during the year. In addition to the Overseas Program, Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh boasts the world-class Yitzchak Leib and Ruth Rennert Kollel, which trains Rebbaim and dayanim for communal service. The Rosh Kollel is Harav Yaacov Katz, Shlita. Intensive Torah study, a connection with the people and the land of Israel, and life in Jerusalem's Old City, all combine to have a pronounced effect on the overseas students - and ruach is the word that best captures that effect. This ruach is particularly evident on Friday evening, when all the Yeshiva's students dance and sing their way to the Kotel in order to welcome the Shabbat. Once a month, all the students join together in the Yeshiva to celebrate Shabbat in a spirit special to the Old City. Following dinner with the Rebbaim and their families, an Oneg Shabbat, which continues into the early morning hours, unites all the students in emotional singing. The Oneg Shabbat is highlighted by speeches from alumni who reflect on the multifaceted role of a student upon returning overseas.
The uniqueness of Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh's program can best be summarized by referring to its outstanding faculty, unrivalled location and an unwavering concern for the growth of each and every student. The Rebbaim are much more than teachers; they actively reach out to every pupil, attending to emotional, religious and academic crises. At all hours of the day and night they can be seen effectively and sensitively interacting with their talmidim, guiding them and nurturing them. The proximity to Har Habayit inspires all the students, who soak up the atmosphere of the Old City and apply themselves to their studies with vigor. Most important, however, is the attention received by every student in the Overseas Program. Every student is looked after, cared for and "gently nudged" to develop into a thoughtful, learned Jewish Man. The process is long, trying and difficult, but well worth the effort and patience required. Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh's uniqueness is ultimately derived from the special relationships formed with the students themselves.
A Netiv Aryeh graduate noted that he felt it was more difficult to come back from Israel than to actually go in the first place. Returning 'home' often proves difficult for both students and their parents and the American Friends of Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh office is available to all. Special College Chugim, get-togethers and programs have been launched in order to create an 'environment within an environment'. These include special Shabbatonim at many different college campuses, as well as monthly chugim and a kumzitz or two headed by our more musically inclined alumni. Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh is blessed with a very strong Alumni Liaison Committee, so for more information on alumni programming in your region, please contact the American office. Many alumni often travel to Yeshiva to learn and speak to the students on many different and exciting topics ranging from business ethics to medical ethics and halacha, and it is not unusual to see a grown man with his teenaged son sitting and learning together in the Beit Midrash. The bond established between the Yeshiva, its graduates, and their families, grows and strengthens with time. Contact is maintained through phone calls, e-mails, faxes and frequent visits for holidays, vacation, or intersession. In addition, frequent alumni events solidify each student's connection to this uniquely warm and supportive family of bnei Torah.
After lunch and an afternoon recess, students participate in bikiut shiurim in various subjects, each chosen by the students and taught in accordance with the level and background of its participants. Options include other chapters of the tractate being studied in the morning, different tractates, and mishna. Classes are intentionally kept small in order to preserve suitable student-teacher ratios, thereby encouraging students to express opinions and ask questions.
Extracurricular activities are viewed as an important part of the Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh experience, and participation in appropriate activities is encouraged during students' free time. One of the most popular programs that draws heavily on the talents of our students is ACHY, which focuses on the social and material needs of recent immigrants and underprivileged youth. Other programs, which employ the students' talents, are visits to the mentally handicapped adults at the Elwyn home, bikur cholim at Shaare Zedek hospital, and swimming with students at the Jerusalem School for the Blind. Many students capitalize on these opportunities to put their learning into practice. Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh is an intellectually rigorous world, but it is a wonderfully supportive and nurturing one as well. The Yeshiva's educational philosophy is characterized by complete devotion to the principle that the Rebbe's relationship with his students should reflect the same degree of love and commitment that a parent has for a child. Harav Aharon Bina, Rosh HaYeshiva, relates to each student like a son, personally looking after his academic, religious and emotional growth. Harav Bina is the son of Harav Aryeh Bina, zt"l, who was Rosh Yeshiva of Netiv Meir and a prominent Jerusalem talmid chacham who founded Yeshivat Hakotel along with many other yeshivot throughout the land of Israel. Harav Aryeh Bina, zt"l is widely considered to have been one of the most successful and inspirational educators throughout the land of Israel, and it is his expertise that his son, Harav Aharon, utilizes in conveying Torah to the Yeshiva's students. Harav Bina is a constant presence and a valuable resource for all of the students. Harav Bina, who is also a captain in the Israeli Defence Forces, can be found helping and counselling the students as late as 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, both in the Beit Midrash and in his kitchen, only to return a few hours later for his daily halacha shiur. Harav Bina's immeasurable commitment to his talmidim fosters lifelong relationships with each of them, and inspires the cohesiveness that the student body enjoys.
Sunday
Monday
The Tanach Club, HaRav Yitzchak Korn
The Rav and his Greatest Teachings, HaRav Aharon Goldscheider
Tuesday
Worldview, HaRav Aryeh Varon (History/ Hashkafa)
Ramban on Parshat Hashavua (Jewish Philosophy)
Wednesday
Torat Eretz Yisrael
Thursday
Ilana R. Scheiner
Financial planning and assistance can be obtained through contacting the American Office. Please note that the first step to financially planning a year in Israel should be to download and submit two copies of the MASA application form to the address below. Details available at: http://www.masaisrael.org.il
Ilana R. Scheiner
Download Application Form 2007/8
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Officially, the program lasts for a year (a second year option is available), but its effects last a lifetime. The bonds established between the Yeshiva, the boys, and the Rebbaim grow and strengthen with time. Contact is maintained through phone calls, e-mails and frequent holiday inter-session visits. Imbued with the spirit of Torah, chesed, and a love of Eretz Yisrael, each student finds himself inducted into the Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh chevra. This uniquely warm and supportive family of bnei Torah lies at the core of the student's connection to the Yeshiva.
During the remainder of the afternoon seder, students review their morning studies along with their chavrutot. Some students elect to participate in a special advanced machshava (philosophy) by a brilliant and popular local speaker or writer, covering major topics in Kuzari, Rambam, and Ramban. Following Seder, students enjoy elective shiurim in topics ranging from Parshat Hashavua to the Rambam's Mishne Torah. Evening seder begins after dinner. Each student is paired with either an older overseas student, an Israeli student, or a kollel student. As they learn together, students form a more intimate learning relationship with their older chevruta than is possible in the morning or afternoon shiurim. Beyond the learning of gemara, halacha, or mussar, this time of day allows the students to gain from the older talmidim's experience and learning prowess. Most importantly, it affords them a friendly 'advisor' who understands many of the different feelings and experiences that accompany the student's growth. In the eyes of both the faculty and students, this comes to be the most meaningful time of day.
All the members of the Yeshiva faculty share a uniquely informal approach to formal instruction. They provide guidance, encouragement and constant attention, and enjoy roles as mentors, confidants, and friends. Their commitment to 'the boys' knows no bounds. In the dormitory, and even in their own living rooms, the Yeshiva's unparalleled faculty is always available to offer advice and help. Special events such as Chanukah parties in the homes of the Rebbaim exhibit the warmth and commitment with which they relate to their students.