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ABOUT
MACHON
Machon Gold
was founded in 1958 by the Torah Education Department of the World
Zionist Organization. Located in a modern spacious campus, Machon
is in the heart of the old Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem. Students
are housed in a comfortable, supervised dormitory (3-4 students
per room) which is open throughout the school year - including vacation
periods. Three catered meals are served daily including Shabbat.
Studies take place in two adjacent buildings which house a beautiful
air conditioned Beit Medrash, dining hall, newly refurbished lounge
and classrooms.
The Beit
Midrash serves as the focal point of Machon Gold. In a dynamic atmosphere
that emphasizes chavrutot, small study groups, self study and strong
teacher-student relationships, Machon Gold students are able to
grow and develop in middot as well as Torah knowledge. Our Rebbeim
and teachers are warm, personable role models who not only provide
students with the impetus to explore, analyze and question all areas
of Jewish study but also help shape them into sensitive, responsible
and mature young women.
ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS
The curriculum
at Machon Gold emphasizes Halacha, Tanach and Hashkafa with courses
in Gemara, Mishna, Musar, Jewish philosophy and Jewish history as
well. Classes increase the students' ability to analyze texts and
follow the development of Jewish law and thought, enabling them
to continue their growth, even after leaving Machon.
Courses
are taught on a variety of levels. Students may choose classes taught
in English or Hebrew. At the beginning of semester, students are
encouraged to sample many classes and are urged to select courses
that will challenge and excite them and help them to achieve their
spiritual goals. To view a sample schedule,
click here.
TEACHER
TRAINING PROGRAM
Machon
Gold trains teachers for pre-schools and elementary/primary schools
throughout the world. Students study educational methodology, computers
in education, educational psychology and classroom management and
serve as student teachers in Israeli schools. Graduates are eligible
for the Ministry of Education's certification as "Teachers
of Hebrew and Judaic Studies in the Diaspora"" Today,
Machon Gold graduates hod important positions in Jewish education
in Latin America, the U.S., Canada, India, the F.S.U., Europe and
Australia.
STUDENT LIFE
There are
approximately 90-100 students at Machon each year. Students come
from the United States, Canada, the CIS, South America, and Eastern
and Western Europe.
CHESED :
On Monday
afternoons one can find Machon students scattered around Jerusalem
volunteering to assist their fellow Jews. An integral part of
Machon Gold, The Chesed program is designed to allow our students
to benefit from the sense of accomplishment achieved by giving.
Students may select to work in a variety of settings including:
Handicapped children, disadvantaged youth, the elderly and new
olim.
TIYULIM
:
At Machon
Gold the purpose of tiyulim is to foster a love for the Land and
to develop within each student a personal connection to Eretz
Yisrael and its people. The school provides extensive tours of
the Galilee, Golan and the Negev, as well as bi-monthly half day
trips to sites in and around Jerusalem, conducted by expert guides
who are scholars in Jewish studies and history.
SHABBATOT:
Students may
spend Shabbat at Machon or opt to go away to friends or family.
Machon is well known for the warmth and friendliness of its staff,
who will often invite students to their homes. Approximately once
a month there are organized Shabbat programs.
INFORMAL
STUDY GROUPS :
Students are
encouraged to form chavrutot with friends and staff members during
their free hours. Informal study groups - chaburot - are often
created by students and staff anxious to explore new venues.
HOW TO CONTACT US
For further
information and applications please contact the following:
| IN
ISRAEL: |
MACHON
GOLD
15 Hizkiyahu Hamelech Street
Jerusalem, Israel 93147
Tel: 02-561-2499
Fax: 02-561-7198
E-mail: machong@jazo.org.il |
DIVREI TORAH
The parsha
begins with the famous words "shlach lecha anashim". Rashi
comments "l'daatcha" - You (Moshe)
want to send them. I (Hashem) don't want to send them. Moshe confirms
this theory in Dvarim (1:22) "vatikrivun..."
- You came to me and said - Let's send spies..."Va-yitav
Be-eynai Hadavar" I thought it was a good thing. Once
again Chazal comment "Aval Lo Be'enee Hakadosh Baruch Hu"
Moshe thought it was a good idea, Hashem did not.
But is this
charachteristic of Moshe!!?? Over and over the Torah comments how
Moshe did -"Ka-asher Tziva Hashem"? Why suddenly
here does he change?!! It's as if Moshe is saying yes Hakadosh Baruch
Hu - I know you don't want it - but I think its a good idea!?
Rav Moty
Alon explained - The Jewish people had recently left Mitzrayim.
They had seen countless miracles. Their faith in Hashem was strong.
They came to Moshe and said - We have Emuna - but we also understand
that we must be realists. "Ein Somchin Al Hanes".
Look what they said to Moshe (Devarim 1:22)- "Et Haderech
Asher Naaleh Ba, V'et He-harim asher Navoh Aleyhem" -
we just want to check out the proper routes, the mountainous areas
- we want to mix our emuna with realism. Moshe was thrilled!! It
couldn't be better! In the desert the Jews were in an environment
of miracles. "Man" came from the skies, the Ananei
Hacavod encircled them. It was wonderful that they understood
that reality would be slightly different in Eretz Yisrael. We have
to be realists. But what happened? They came back and said "Tova
Ha-aretz" (Devarim 1:25), but nevertheless "Vlo
Avitem L'alot" (Devarim 1:26)- They refused to go there.
Why??!! Because there are powerful nations there, there are Bnei
Anakim - giants!!! Fortified cities! They insisted that it
could never be captured. When Moshe heard this he said (Devarim
1:32) - "Ubadavar Hazeh Ainchem Maaminim Ba-Hashem Elokeychem"-
what was this thing they didn't believe? The Jewish were in effect
saying - We can see Hashem while we are in the desert. He feeds
us, clothes us, takes care of us. But here!- this is the REAL WORLD
- there are giants here!!! Don't tell me rely on Hashem!! We must
be realistic - giants, fortified cities!! Ubadavar Hazeh Ainchem
Maaminim Ba-Hashem Elokeychem" - Whenever the emuna was
mixed with realism, whenever it clashed with realism - they could
no longer fully believe in Hashem. Hashem is good for the Beit Knesset,
for the Shteiblach, for mincha , for Maariv. For LIFE!!!?? Be realistic.
It can't be done. Moshe in his humbleness felt that the nation had
the quality of emuna even within a realistic situation. It was this
misinterpretation that led Hashem to say "Shlach LECHA Anashim"
This is
the real challenge. When Emuna and realism contradict, when there
isn't "man" falling from the heavens, when a look at reality
forces us to say "It can't be done!!!" even though we
know it is Hashem's will, when we ask ourselves what about the giants!
(the excuses we give ourselves), that is when we must learn from
the mistake of the meraglim - that is when our emuna must be strongest.
06/14/2001
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