+
English
The Jerusalem Secular Yeshiva (NGO) is a creative hub for contemporary Jewish-Israeli culture. We run immersive learning programs for post-army young adults from across Israel, produce and manage dozens of cultural events in Jerusalem throughout the year, host visiting groups, and lead international delegations focused on Jewish culture. Around Yeshiva, a vibrant young secular community has taken root in Jerusalem.
We believe in a rich, inspiring Jewish and Israeli culture; in Jerusalem as a diverse and open city for all; and in cultivating a young community that is rooted in the present moment, responds to the challenges of our time, and actively participates in shaping the future of Jewish and Israeli culture.
Today’s young Israelis are seeking new ways to integrate Jewish and Israeli identities: religious and secular, particular and universal, local and global. Emerging identities are searching for language and expression. Diverse audiences are seeking culture and creativity that respond in a deep, relevant, and innovative way to the complexities of this era. Many young adults are looking for meaning, belonging, and inspiration — and for new pathways to reconnect with Jewish-Israeli culture and with Jerusalem from a contemporary, pluralistic perspective.
Responding to this need requires new models for learning, experience, culture, ritual, community, creativity, and social action — models deeply rooted in Jewish heritage and sources, while fully embedded in the broader culture and modern society of the 21st century. The Secular Yeshiva in Jerusalem strives to be a home for young adults and creative leaders of today — who will shape the Jewish and Israeli cultural landscape of tomorrow.
In essence, the Yeshiva’s mission has been guided over the years by five core commitments:
• A home for learning Jewish-Israeli culture from a secular, humanistic worldview
• A process of inquiry, exploration, and formation of contemporary Israeli identity
• Personal growth and educational guidance supporting young adults in life’s major questions
• Creation of a living, engaging secular Jewish culture and community in Jerusalem
• Community-building and social awareness and action as integral components of Jewish life
Each year JSY engages hundreds of participants through its three pillars:
• Innovative educational programs: long-term immersive study frameworks and retreats – connecting Jewish learning, culture and social action, mentoring an inspirational exposure to Jewish culture, ceremony and texts. In addition, JSY offers more than 10 different yearly evening Batei Midrash for young adults with diverse topics which are curated carefully, tuning in to relevant issues in young adults life and echoing their needs. In total, more than 200 young adults participate in our innovative contemporary programming for young adults and post-army Israelis.
• Vibrant alumni community: more than 500 graduates of residential programs and 500 from evening Batei Midrash form a living network of cultural and social activists in Jerusalem, celebrating Shabbat and holidays together and deciphering new paths in Jewish celebration and tradition.
• Cultural events and public engagement: Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations, festivals, and public learning events drawing over thousands participants annually. In collaboration with Governemental and Municipal funds, and leading cultural venues in Jerusalem JSY is widely known for Jewish calendar holiday celebrations in the public sphere – From the Independence Eve celebration and the Tower of David Museum, attracting more than 1,000 participants every year, to our Tu Bishvat seder with hundreds of Jerusalem's activists and creative minds, to creating new ceremonies for Tish'a Be'av and th Oct. 7th memorial day – JSY is today one of largest creators and producers on Jewish cultural events that succeed in attracting the hearts and minds on Israels next generation.
JSY is recognized as the leading institution in Israeli Secular Judaism and a leading member of the Israeli pluralist Judaism field. We are founding members of the Rashut HaRabim and Panim networks, and a trusted partner of major philanthropic bodies including the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jerusalem municipality, government offices and leading foundations in the field of supporting new Israeli pluralistic Judaism.
