At TVA, Extra-curricular activities are not “extra,” but an integrated part of the holistic and broad educational model of Torah v’Avodah. TVA is committed to its mission of providing high level Torah study, combined with a plethora of activities outside of the Beit Midrash. Nothing at TVA takes place in a vacuum; everything is part of a well thought out course of limud Torah, activities that will guarantee that you fall in love with the land of Israel and the people of Israel, and service to Am Yisrael. This includes tiyulim throughout the country, working on a kibbutz, volunteering once a week in various “chesed” settings, one week of teaching English in development towns in the south, 1 month of targeted internships in Jerusalem businesses and organizations and much, much more.

We view the year at Midreshet Torah V’Avodah as a springboard for life as a Jewish woman. We strive to help each student make smart choices for the future and to give them the tools to actualize those choices in the most self-fulfilling way possible. For students who go to universities outside of Israel, we spend considerable time discussing ways to give to and receive from the Jewish communities on campuses. A considerable number of our students choose to stay in Israel, doing National Service (Sheirut Leumi), joining the IDF, or attending Israeli universities. Those students instantly become part of the Bnei Akiva family in Israel.

TVA has trail blazed a new attitude toward guidance during the year in Israel. Our staff is extremely hands-on. The administration, the Em-bayit, the Rakezet, the madrichot, the guidance counselor, and many of the teachers are extremely well acquainted with each and every student. In addition to formal, scheduled meetings, there are constant discussions between various staff members to make sure that every student is getting what she needs at all times. In addition, the staff is extremely accessible to the students and they feel very comfortable coming to them at any time when they have an issue or challenge to deal with.

We also offer a wide variety of mental health services. Guidance counselor, Dina Kessler, M.Sc., heads the team and directs both the formal and informal services. We focus on how to make behavioral changes in a way that allows the students to integrate the concepts of middot with practical methods of habit change. As part of our personal growth program, we also have our students take the VIA strength assessment to identify and highlight their strengths. This can be especially helpful in the leadership components of our program, where a student can use this information to tailor their leadership style and contributions.

Additionally, our Mashgichot Ruchaniyot, Rabbanit Shani Taragin, Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash, Rabbanit Michal Jacob, and Dr. Tamara Spitz, run weekly small group processing workshops to encourage reflection and deliberation on crucial religious issues that arise during the seminary year. Furthermore, the guidance counselor and Mashgichot schedule individual meetings with students and open office hours. The support staff is thereby able to assist students in working through personal challenges and to guide each student towards maximizing his or her potential and character. In cases where a student requires more extensive mental health services, we have a network of private licensed practitioners, with whom we refer, and contacts at The Family Institute of Nevei Yerushalayim when finances are an issue.

MTVA is a program that nurtures independent adults within a structured framework. Students live in wonderful apartments in the heart of Jerusalem and are integrated into the local community and synagogues. An Eim Bayit (house mother), Educational Director, and a staff of madrichot (counselors) help them navigate the transition to independent adulthood successfully. Students walk to shul and the Beit Midrash and shop in the neighborhood. At the same time, there is a nightly curfew and there is a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol or other substances.

There are generally no exams at TVA--students are assessed by their ability to prepare a shiur and deliver it using the methodologies from their shiurim, thus demonstrating and honing their own abilities for the future. Transcripts are provided to all students upon requests.

Students are offered the option of integrating Sherut Leumi with learning for their Shana Bet.

There are three models of Shabbatot on TVA:

In-Shabbatot, where students stay in their apartments in Jerusalem with programming, meals, and ruach. Part of these shabbatot includes home hospitality at local families in the neighborhood.

Shabbatonim, where we go to various important destinations in Israel, such as Tzfat, or join with all of the World Bnei Akiva programs for special programming.

Out Shabbatot (approximately half of the time), when students can visit friends or family, or stay in their own apartments, with the em bayit helping secure them meals at local host families.

The apartments belong to the young women for the year--they are available at any time and the em bayit is always on call to help arrange meals for Chagim. TVA students also have special programming for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and can take advantage of special programming during the month of Nissan.

MTVA is based in Katamonim

The apartment building, a 1 minute walk from MATAN, is situated on convenient bus lines, within walking distance of major supermarkets, gyms, and parks where the students are able to exercise and relax. Girls have 1-2 roommates and about 6-8 apartment mates. The madrichot live in the apartments with the students and are a guiding force in helping to create a comfortable and Torani environment. The students are expected to keep their apartments and personal space clean and are provided with the cleaning supplies that are necessary.

Living in an apartment building with Israeli families for neighbors exposes the students to what it is like to really live in Jerusalem. They have the independence of living on their own with the comfort of having a support system through the madrichot, Eim Bayit, and staff. This setup for the apartments is reflective of our education goals of training them towards independent living and ownership of their own religious and personal growth. At the same time, having everyone in one building is wonderful, as it helps facilitate the forming of a close and cohesive group.

The Eim Bayit’s family lives on the first floor of the building giving the students enough independence while at the same time having a constant address for any concerns.

Kitchen Facilities:

Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen for milk and meat. While a dairy lunch and pareve or meat dinner are provided every day the students still have the facilities to cook for themselves and learn about keeping a kosher kitchen.

Laundry facilities are spread throughout the apartments.