parents' announcements

• Welcome to all our students of 5765! Everyone has arrived safely in Israel and is settling in very well.
   
• Tuesday, Aug 24: The year kicked off with a visit to the Kotel on Tuesday night, where the talmidim were met by the Rosh Yeshiva, who welcomed them at the foot of the holiest place on earth!
   
• Wednesday, Aug 25: This orientation day included meeting the Rabbeim and getting acquainted with the schedule. In the evening, a BBQ was enjoyed by all in the large Jerusalem park, Gan Saker.
   
• Thursday, Aug 26: First day of learning, and first real taste of Mevaseret Beis Midrash learning. The Beis Midrash is shared with the Meretz Kollel, which enables students to connect with Israelis on a one-on-one basis.
   
• Shabbat Ki Tetze: This Shabbat is the first In-Shabbat of the Zman and promises to be a very inspiring experience!
   
• 5765 Year Plan now available for download! More details...

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A STUDENT VISA

Posted June, 2004

It is now possible to obtain a yearlong multiple entry student visa from your local Israeli consulate. We strongly recommend this method as there is no need to renew the visa in the middle of the year and it will save you many hassles, both at the airport before arrival in Israel and once you get to Israel . (The following information is valid for Israeli embassies and consulates in North America . For other localities, please call your local Israeli embassy or consulate. If your local office will not provide these services, then you can simply enter Israel on a regular three month tourist visa, and we will assist you in extending this visa once you arrive in Israel .)

In order to obtain a student visa, you should send the following items by registered mail to your local Israeli consulate:

a) Your passport (valid until at least June, 2006 to avoid all pitfalls)
b) 2 passport-size photos (2” by 2”)
c) the visa application, properly filled out (please make sure to put your phone number in Item #12 on the form, so they can call you if there are any problems with your application)
d) the parent authorization form, signed by both parents and notarized (unless you are 18 years of age or older)
e) a copy of your acceptance letter to YSMZ.
f) $33 cash or money order - personal checks will not be accepted (the visa is $25 - $8 is to cover costs of return postage from the NY consulate. If you are not from the NY area, check with your local consulate as to the correct amount.).

You will then receive your passport back, together with an academic visa, via UPS. If you would prefer to do this in person, you can go to the consulate with the documents. If either or both of your parents accompany you to the consulate, that parent does not need to sign the authorization form – but they must bring their valid passport (check with the consulate if other forms of ID will be acceptable). The fee for the visa, if done in person, is only the $25 visa fee.

For your convenience, the address of the Israeli Consulate General in New York is 800 Second Avenue , 13th floor, New York , NY 10017 . This is located between 42nd and 43rd Streets. Their phone number is (212) 499-5317, and they are open Monday through Friday from ( 9:00 am – 12:00pm ).

Those who live in other areas should contact the embassy or consulate closest to their home. (We suggest that those outside of the New York area confirm with their local consulate before mailing their materials since our information was supplied to us specifically by the New York consulate – although they tell us it is valid at all consulates except for the return-mail fee! For a list, see the Israel Foreign Ministry's web page: www.israelfm.org/odm).

Please note that all of the above information is only relevant for students who are not Israeli citizens. If you hold Israeli citizenship (even if you also have other citizenship), then you are obligated by law to enter and leave Israel using your Israeli passport, and you do not need a visa.

If you have any special circumstances or unique questions, you may contact Baruch at the New York consulate at the number above (please only call with urgent questions. In standard situations, the information above should be sufficient.)

ROOMMATE REQUEST / EMAIL ACCOUNTS / CONTACT INFO

Please download the following PDF form and send it back to us.