Exchange Program with Israeli High Schools Immerses 10th Graders in Israeli Culture Twenty outstanding 10th graders from the Yeshiva University High Schools – 10 from the Yeshiva University High School for Boys/Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (YUHSB) and 10 from the Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls (YUHSG) – are participating in a six-week student exchange program with Israeli high schools. Now in its second year, the program aims to immerse the American students in Israeli culture and help them connect with their Israeli counterparts. The YUHSG students joined their peers at Ulpanat Tzvia in Ma'aleh Adumim on Dec. 6 while the YUHSB students began classes at Yeshivat Mekor Haim in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion upon their Dec. 17 arrival. “What’s unique about this program is that the students are fully integrated into the Israeli classrooms,” said Tova Rosenberg, coordinator of the exchange program and director of Hebrew language studies at both Yeshiva University High Schools. “The students sit in on all Judaic studies classes, are included in all school activities and are housed in the same dormitories as the Israeli students. They are not treated as guests, but as members of the student body.” During their six-week stay, the Yeshiva University High School students take part in a series of field trips intended to show them Israel’s out-of-the-way treasures – “not the usual tourist spots” – and enjoy special Shabbat programs at the Yeshiva University Gruss Kollel in Bayit Ve’Gan arranged by the Kollel families themselves. Later this year, six Yeshivat Mekor Haim students and four Ulpanat Tzvia students will travel to New York to study at the Yeshiva University High Schools for a six-week period. In addition to attending classes, the Israeli students will tour New York City and Philadelphia to learn about American history and culture, and will experience life in U.S. Jewish communities. “By sending our students to Israel and bringing the Israeli students to our schools, we are opening the eyes of every student involved in the program to the reality of the global Jewish community. As our future Jewish leaders, it is vital that they understand and are accepting of other cultures,” said Rosenberg. “The culture of deep spiritual purpose and constant reflection that is the hallmark of the Mekor Haim experience has exposed our students to serious religious and intellectual growth in ways unimagined for the typical 10th grader,” said Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, head of school at YUHSB. “Additionally, the visiting Mekor Haim students inject a sense of passion, urgency and authenticity into the rhythm of school life here. Armed with a newfound understanding of the American Jewish scene, these exceptional students have the potential to become the next generation of shlichim [emissaries to Israel].” Watch video coverage of the exchange program on the Jerusalem Post's Website. Read news coverage here: Ynet News Arutz 7 article (English) Arutz 7 audio interview with Yishai Fleisher Arutz 7 article and link to audio interview on 'Or Bachadashot' (Hebrew) Moreshet (Hebrew) The Jewish Star