At Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, as at many Jewish high schools, there have been an increasing number of students choosing to attend college in Israel. English-speaking communities on Israeli college campuses are growing and often thriving. With the disturbing rise of antisemitism on college campuses across North America, the school anticipates that many more students will consider advancing their education in Israel. The Ma’ayanot team has responded by increasing its focus on Israeli college options, even while maintaining its relationships with campuses across the United States.
In response to the increasing numbers of American Jewish students pursuing college in Israel, the Tzemach David Foundation, founded by philanthropist David Magerman in 2022, and the Israel Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, recently sponsored a pilot tour of Israeli colleges for college guidance counselors from Jewish day schools. Ma’ayanot partnered to send me on this trip so that I would be able to better advise students and parents about options for students to attend college in Israel. On the jam-packed program, we visited nine colleges in four days, touring campuses, and meeting with representatives of admissions offices, the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) and current students. I have returned from the tour inspired by the multitude of exciting options for Americans considering college in Israel.
I was pleased but not surprised to hear that Israeli colleges want our students. Counselors were warmly welcomed by admissions offices, who seemed eager to work collaboratively with students to help them find the program that best suits their accomplishments, talents and interests. While admissions criteria vary by the college and the major (since in Israel you need to apply to a particular major), we were repeatedly told by Israeli admissions officials that if students meet their admissions criteria, they will be accepted. This is a welcome change from the current climate on elite American college campuses, which has become so highly selective that high grades in a rigorous curriculum with high SAT scores and a vast array of activities are no guarantee of admission.
A smoother admissions process does not mean a decrease in educational quality. Universities like Technion, Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University are among Israel’s most prestigious and should be considered a real alternative to an American Ivy league education and experience. Israeli universities are internationally recognized, and their graduates are accepted into top university graduate programs and get jobs around the world.
Because the college experience is about more than academics, it’s worth noting that the students we met were happy. They are thriving academically and socially at Israeli colleges. Nearly every Israeli university has a community of Anglo observant Jewish students with Shabbat programming, social events, shiurim and multiple minyanim. Since students are far from home, they are a real community and family for each other. Most Israeli campuses have JLIC couples who serve as an important source of support and offer Torah and Shabbat programming for students. Several other Israeli campuses are slated to start JLIC programs over the next few years.
Language needn’t be an obstacle. For several years, many Israeli colleges have offered some degrees completely in English. Several have a year of mechina (university preparatory program) to transition students to Hebrew-speaking programs. A recent development is the creation of hybrid or transition programs in which students begin their first year of studies in English with extensive ulpan and then transition to completing the degree in Hebrew.
If you’re concerned about the cost of flying back and forth to a campus on the other side of the world, it’s worth noting that the cost of college in Israel is significantly lower than the cost of American universities. Tuitions range from $,4000 – $16,000 a year and are often free or highly reduced for students who make aliyah. In addition to covering tuition for a first degree, olim benefits cover a year of mechina, ulpan, a living stipend, counseling services and other resources.
Ma’ayanot remains steadfast in its commitment to help each student find the right post-high school experience, whether that’s in the U.S. or abroad. The school is now more prepared than ever to offer an information-rich, comprehensive college guidance process to all its students.
Leebie Mallin is the director of college guidance, Ma’ayanot.
