Where do Midreshet Moriah students come from?  Does Midreshet Moriah have more girls from the NY / NJ area than other seminaries?

Our mix of students reflects what the Orthoodox community looks like -- about 30% from outside the NY/NJ area and about 70% from NY/NJ. We visit more communities and different kinds of schools than any other seminary in order to come up with a class of girls from diverse geographic and educational backgrounds, including girls-only schools, co-ed schools, Bais Yaakovs, community schools, and advanced girls from NCSY. Most years, we have girls from places like London, Manchester, Toronto, Montreal, Boca Raton, Los Angeles, San Diego, Silver Spring, Miami, Cleveland, Chicago, Baltimore, Dallas, Philadelphia, and often from places like Columbus, Atlanta, Memphis, Detroit, Boston, and more  Click here to hear directly from our students what it's like!

What are Midreshet Moriah girls like?  

Midreshet Moriah girls are friendly, open, full of life, energy and enthusiasm, eager to make new friends and open to all the new experiences of the year in Israel.  (Come visit and see for yourself!)  The best way to find out for yourself is to speak directly to our students and alumnae. They would love to tell you all about what it's like to spend the year at Midreshet Moriah! Click here for us to put you in touch directly with a girl to whom you can ask everything...

What's Midreshet Moriah's hashkafah / educational philosophy?

Midreshet Moriah is a passionately Dati-Leumi (Religious Zionist) seminary guided by the hashkafah of Rav Soloveitchik and Rav Kook.  We educate toward Yirat Shamayyim (fear of Heaven); love of Torah, its mitzvot, and its values; develop in our students a sense of mission, responsibility, and love for the Jewish people, its destiny, its holy Land, and its State. We focus on the unique needs and talents of each and every student as we aspire toward continual improvement, educational creativity, and pedagogic excellence.

What kind of volunteering can I sign up for at Midreshet Moriah?  

Our students can volunteer each year at a wide range of organizations and projects in Yerushalyim, from tutoring kids to working with people with special needs to packing packages for the needy and more. Once you arrive, our Chesed Coordinator will acquaint you with the full range of organizations and help you choose. Got an idea for a new organization? Let us know -- we'd love to add another program to what we have!

How often do you have Shabbatonim?  What if I don't have places to go for Shabbat?  

School shabbatonim are about once a month. If a group of girls wants a nice quiet Shabbat in the residence, a madrichah will stay in with them, go to shul with them, and eat Shabbat meals with them. Our teachers will also want to invite you to their homes -- just speak to Dena, our Em Bayyit, and she'll arrange things for you.    

What about Yom Tov?  

Students are invited to teachers' homes for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, or they can spend them with family or friends. For Chol Ha-Mo'ed (Sukkot and Pesach), the residence is open.  We spend Shavuot learning together at Midreshet Moriah, with most of the all-night learning composed of shiurim presented by our own students!

How do Midreshet Moriah students make connections with teachers?  What if I'm not so outgoing?

Our faculty is eager to have you over for Shabbat and learn with you in small, intimate groups or one-on-one in our Beit Midrash.  You'll have a personal faculty mentor (Rakezet) who will meet with you every week for personal time!  

Do Midreshet Moriah students feel pressure to turn out a certain way at the end of the year?

We attract a very diverse group of students each year, and our goal is to help them achieve their personal best.  We work hard to inspire our students and show them how exciting and engaging Torah is, but in the end, we believe that growth is real only when you choose it yourself and develop at your own pace.

Is there a feeling of competition between the students at Midreshet Moriah?

One of our teachers said it best: Midreshet Moriah is a place of "relaxed intensity," where the learning is serious and intense, but there's no feeling of pressure and competition. The atmosphere is positive, warm, friendly and relaxed.  Come visit and see for yourself!

How textual is the learning at Midreshet Moriah?

We build our schedule and our Course Catalog to offer loads of choice -- what topics you'll learn, what level of challenge is ideal for you, text vs. discussion shiurim, classes vs. independent learning, how much chavruta you'll have, and when you'll have breaks. Read all about it here, and watch Bracha Krohn, our Menahelet, explain it all in this clip. In short, you can find the balance that works perfectly for you. On the other hand, if you don't like textual learning and are really seeking just inspiration and discussion, we wouldn't be the right place. (Come visit and try out our shiurim!)  

How do I know if my skills and background will be strong enough?

Our students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds. One of our jobs in interviewing you and speaking to your teachers will be to figure out whether our learning is a good match for you. Leave it to us :-)

Making my own schedule sounds great, but a little overwhelming.  Who helps me?

No worries! Before you arrive, you'll register online for courses, but that's just kind of a like a rough draft. Once you arrive, you'll spend the first few weeks trying out shiurim, changing your schedule whenever you want until you get it right. In weekly meetings, your Rakezet (personal faculty mentor) will go over your rough draft with you and help you decide what to try out first. Rav Eitan and Bracha will help you register and maybe make a few suggestions.  .

Are there any classes I have to take? If so, which ones?

For many years, others have decided what you'll learn. This year is all about you and your personal connection with Torah -- now it's time for you to choose! We keep requirements to a minimum so you'll be free to make your own choices. Our only requirement is Hilchot Shabbat, but you'll have a choice there too, between a bottom-line practical shiur and a more source-based shiur.

What is the residence like at Midreshet Moriah? How many girls per room?

Our residence is located in the beautiful neighborhood of Baka. Each apartment has three rooms, usually with two girls in each room. Each apartment has a kitchenette, refrigerator and bathrooms. 

Who takes care of me if I'm not well?

Our Em Bayyit (House Mother) and her staff of Madrichot will take care of you and help you make medical appointments if you need to see a doctor.  

Will I get to tour Israel during my year at Midreshet Moriah? What places will we see?

We have a trip or special event about every other week, with half-day and full-day tiyyulim and two extended tiyulim that last two to five days, including Eilat and the Galil/Golan. Trips are a great chance for a break and lots of bonding!

How many meals are served each day?

We serve three meals on days when shiurim are in session, except Monday nights, when we're off. For those who like to cook for themselves, we have cooking facilities available. 

Where is Midreshet Moriah located?  How close is it to the Kotel? What kind of transportation is available?

We're located in the neighboorhood of Baka / Emek Refa'im. Local bus stops are right up the block, and we're in walking distance to many places to eat and shop (the "Tachanah Rishonah," Hadar Mall, places on Emek Refa'im). We're a 35-minute walk to the Kotel (we all walk there together on Shavuot morning after all-night learning!).

How do I do laundry?

There are large American-style washers and dryers in our building, or you can send your stuff to a laundry service nearby.

What conveniences & services are available in the neighborhood?

We are a close walk to a pharmacy, supermarkets, banks, a huge mall, cleaners, lots of restaurants (see above), and more...

Where can I find more info about Midreshet Moriah?

The best idea is to speak directly to current students or alumnae -- click here for us to put you in touch. Browse through our website or email us with specific questions. And you're invited to come visit and see for yourself!

What are the important dates in the admissions process?

Dec 1 (most years): applications are due (www.applytosem.org)
Nov-Dec: interviews (ask your school when we're coming)
mid-Jan: We inform applicants of admissions decisions
mid-Feb: Applicants let us know whether they'll be joining us for the year