Short Bible Study Courses in Israel

 

Visiting students can take part in a wide variety of short courses, workshops, and tours in Israel related to the Bible and the Holy Land. Many religious institutions, research centers, and social initiatives allow people from around the world, from various religions and populations, to visit Israel and experience the land of the Bible firsthand.

 

 

Visiting students may choose from several formats of Bible study, including:

 

- Workshops: These short workshops often span several consecutive days and are focused on hands-on learning and discussions.

 

- Tours to Israel: These are tours and excursions to Israel, which usually focus on known locations such as Jerusalem, the sea of Galilee, the Jordan river, etc.

 

- Short term programs: Students can choose between various short courses in Bible study, some of which include certification.

 

- Summer programs: The programs allow participants to study in Israel during the summer, some are suitable for college students.

 

 

The courses are suitable for people from all religions and beliefs, who wish to visit Israel for a short period of time to study the Bible. Many programs are designated to Christian visiting students. In addition, some programs are designed especially for Christian church-related professionals, or for groups from Christian communities and churches.

 

 

Christian religious professionals can find courses and workshops designed especially for their needs. In these programs, pastors, priests, and other ministry workers can discuss issues related to their work while also acquainting themselves with the land of Israel and its rich history firsthand.

 

 

During Bible classes, students are invited to broaden and deepen their knowledge of the biblical text, and discuss various aspects of its interpretation, biblical history, and more. Some courses are theme-based, while others focus on a certain book, location, or biblical figure. In addition, certain courses elaborate upon inter-religious relations throughout the ages and explore the link between the Bible and the New Testament. Many Bible classes are conducted weekly and include meetings and group discussions, along with excursions and tours. It should be noted that curriculum may vary from program to program.

 

 

Here are several examples of subjects studied during the short programs:

 

- The life of Jesus.

- Biblical archaeology.

- The Dead Sea scrolls.

- Jewish - Christian relations.

- The geographical setting of the bible.

- The Jewish background of the New Testament.

- And more.

 

 

The duration of the courses and workshops may vary, and spans from several days to one semester. Workshops and tours often span several days to one week, while more in-depth courses often span several weeks to several months.

 

Summer programs in religious studies are sometimes offered by academic institutions in Isreal, including universities and colleges. Some are aimed at college students from abroad and allow them to study during their summer break, while others are open to a wider audience. The summer courses are often intensive and immersive and include tours and Hebrew classes.

 

 

Some Israeli universities allow students from partner universities to participate in student exchange programs. They can usually choose whether to study during the fall or spring semester. During their studies, exchange students may choose to participate in Bible classes, or classes in subjects such as Jewish philosophy or Biblical Hebrew. Please note that not all universities in Israel offer these programs.

 

Some short programs are conducted online and are studied via Zoom. The live learning sessions in online courses often take place once a week. In some cases, students can watch pre-recorded lessons in their free time, according to their schedule. However, it should be noted that not all Bible programs are conducted online, and some are only offered in an on-site track which required physical attendance.

 

Many of the courses include social activities such as trips, tours, discussion groups, roundtables, and more. These allow an unmediated connection to the land of Israel and offer participants a chance to acquaint themselves with the geographical and physical aspects of the biblical text.

 

 

The language of instruction varies, some courses are conducted in English, while others are offered in Hebrew. In addition, certain courses may be available in other languages, such as French, Spanish, German, Italian, Korean, and more.

 

 

Certain short courses and tours are suitable for groups seeking to study the Bible in Israel. Some programs are tailored to ministry or church groups, or to Christian communities from across the globe, who wish to study in Israel as a group.

 

 

In certification programs, students are granted a certificate upon completion of their studies. Please note that not all programs grant a certificate, and these are usually not granted in shorter workshops or tours.

 

Certain programs are eligible for academic credit in Biblical studies, which can be used to pursue academic degrees abroad. It should be noted that not all programs are eligible for academic credit.

 

 

Among the short programs available in Israel, many include housing and accommodations (though not all programs necessarily offer housing). Some tours include housing in ministries, convents, or pilgrimage houses.

 

 

Admission requirements vary between programs, some are open to participants of various backgrounds, while others are only open to experienced religious professionals who hold extensive experience in biblical teaching or research. In more advanced tracks, previous knowledge of the Bible is required, and often basic command of Hebrew can be an advantage. While most workshops and tours do not require prerequisites, certain certificate tracks may require prerequisite courses in Jewish studies to apply.

 

 

Most tours and workshops are suitable for participants who are not fluent in Hebrew. However, some advanced courses may require a more in-depth knowledge of Hebrew, especially programs in partnership with academic institutions in Israel.

 

Tuition fees vary from program to program and range between 1,500$ USD – 5,000$USD approximately (but may be higher than these sums). Additional costs are required for housing, transportation, insurance, etc. Costs depend on the duration of the program, study contents, the size of the group, and more.

 

 

In some cases, visiting students in Bible studies can apply for scholarships, please note that only a limited number of scholarships are available and that not all institutions will offer financial aid. Scholarships are usually needs-based and provided according to socio-economic criteria.

 

 

Israeli academic institutions offer a wide range of programs conducted in English, suitable for international students from around the world who wish to study in Israel. According to their previous education, international students may wish to pursue programs in Israel studies, Jewish studies, archaeology, and more.

 

 

- Rothberg International School (Jerusalem): The Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School offers short-term courses in biblical Hebrew. In addition, undergraduate students at the school may choose courses in religion, such as courses analyzing Christianity and Judaism’s relation to the Bible.

- Jerusalem Biblical Studies Society: This organization operates the Jerusalem Seminary, which offers study tours which follow the Bible in various locations.

- Notre Dame de Sion (Jerusalem): This catholic organization offers courses in English which include accommodation, these courses discuss both the Bible and The New Testament and include excursions.