Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Community Leadership Program at the Shalom Hartman Institute. These include a description of what CLP is, who attends, registration fees and what they include, safety measures, typical days, where to stay, and much more. For more information, please contact the CLP team.
We look forward to seeing you in June 2024 in Jerusalem.
What is CLP?
Each June, a diverse group of lay leaders from across North America join senior Shalom Hartman Institute scholars in Jerusalem for our CLP Community Leadership Program, to explore foundational Jewish ideas and central dilemmas of contemporary Jewish life. This intensive week-long study seminar features leading scholars in Bible, Talmud, Jewish philosophy and theology, history, and mysticism, who share texts and ideas from the Jewish tradition on the summer’s unique theme.
Who attends CLP?
CLP attracts a wide range of adult learners, communal lay leaders and philanthropists who are active in local, national, and international Jewish community life and interested in a week of pluralistic, open-minded, intellectually rigorous Jewish study and contemporary issues engagement.
Do I need a background in Jewish study?
No. Participants come from a range of religious backgrounds and possess various levels of Jewish knowledge. Hartman scholars teach at a high level, intellectually and philosophically, but do not assume any particular level of Jewish literacy. Every seminar track provides a meaningful and enriching learning experience in which students of all backgrounds and knowledge can learn together. A more advanced track exists for those with a strong background in Jewish text study.
Can I see a schedule for the week?
Click here to see the schedule from CLP 2023.
Do I need to know Hebrew?
No. Every text is studied in translation, and Hartman scholars do not assume any Hebrew knowledge when they are teaching. If they use a Hebrew phrase, or quote a Hebrew text, they will translate to English when teaching.
Where do participants stay in Jerusalem?
CLP participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging. There are many hotels and apartment rental opportunities in Jerusalem. Each summer, the Hartman Institute reserves discounted rate rooms for program participants at several Jerusalem hotels. All are within walking distance of the Hartman Institute campus. A list of accommodation and special rates for program participants can be found here.
What is the CLP registration fee?
The registration fee for the CLP 2024 is $2,500/ $3,375 CAD/ ₪ 9,525 per person.
Hartman Giving Society Waiver: As part of membership in the Hartman Giving Society, members who make a gift or pledge of $10,000 and above to the Shalom Hartman Institute between June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024, receive two complimentary registrations for CLP 2024 for the member plus an additional participant.
Please note that all pledges must be fulfilled by May 2024. For more information on the Hartman Giving Society please click here or contact Tammy Brass to discuss at [email protected]
What is included in the registration fee?
Your registration fee includes all educational materials, seminar programming, weekly morning snacks, daily lunches and most dinners, Shabbat meals, evening lectures, cultural activities, and one full-day excursion with field trip options throughout Israel.
Will I have free time to see friends and family?
CLP is an intensive seminar. We want to ensure you can take advantage of every moment of Hartman learning and interaction with Hartman scholars and seminar participants. While we make every attempt to give participants several hours of free time each day, we strongly recommend that you make arrangements for extended visits with family and friends before or after the full week’s seminar.
Other than a few hours of free time in the afternoon, Shabbat is also fully programmed with lectures and activities, culminating in a special Saturday evening cultural event. If you would like to invite family members or friends to join you at Shabbat meals during the seminar, the Hartman Institute is happy to welcome them for an additional fee per meal.
What is a typical program day like?
A typical day at CLP begins at 9:00 AM, with a short session setting the overall theme for the day, followed by a mix of lectures and smaller study sessions addressing that theme. All with senior Hartman faculty and scholars. The smaller group study sessions give you an opportunity for intimate interaction with faculty and students in a 20-30 person classroom. In addition to the study sessions, there are daily small-group discussion forums in which participants discuss the implications and application of their study in their Jewish lives and communities.
When we are not in lectures or study sessions, we are enjoying a beautifully catered lunch or dinner. Refreshments are served between sessions. There is generally a two-to-three-hour afternoon break.
After dinner, there is usually an evening lecture or panel discussion with leading figures in Israeli society such as politicians, philosophers, rabbis, and artists.
One day during the conference, we leave the Hartman Institute campus in several smaller groups for a full-day excursion in the land of Israel. Participants select from an exciting array of trip options in which senior educators and guides bring the conference theme to life within Israeli society.
What happens on Shabbat?
We offer a half day program on Friday and a range of program activities on Shabbat afternoon/evening. Shabbat dinner, lunch, and seudah shlishit are provided. A cultural program is offered on Saturday night following the conclusion of Shabbat.
While we do not host prayer services at the Institute, you are welcome to attend services at any of the local Jerusalem-area synagogues. Upon arrival, a list of options will be provided and information on local synagogues will be available at the courtesy desk. Please note that regular daily prayer services are not held at the Institute.
What is the situation with meals during the program?
Participants are welcome to bring guests to any meal as long they are ordered and prepaid 24 hours in advance. Guest fees for each meal are listed in the guide you will receive at registration and available at the courtesy desk.
While we provide lunch and dinner most days, we also try to allow time for you to take advantage of the restaurants and shopping in the vicinity of the Institute. We usually serve dairy lunches and meat dinners. There is always a vegetarian option. If you are a vegetarian, vegan, or have other specific dietary requirements, please help us plan by notifying us in advance.
Who are the faculty?
Faculty are Shalom Hartman Institute scholars from Israel and North America who are scholars, rabbis, and/or senior experienced and charismatic educators with expertise in thought leadership, and the intersection between Jewish ideas and the life experience of modern Jews.
Every year, we invite several prominent intellectuals and religious leaders from outside of the Institute who are experts on the summer seminar theme. In addition, the Institute always invites important speakers and thinkers with insight into the Israel-Diaspora relationship to give guest lectures on contemporary issues in Israeli society and/or the North American Jewish community.
Will I have internet access?
There is good wi–fi access in most of the Institute, including the seminar rooms and in the Segal Beit Midrash.
What are the COVID-19 safety policies?
Due to the dynamic and ever-changing situation with COVID-19, it is difficult to say at time of writing (January 2024) what the COVID-19 safety policies will be in June 2024. However, the Shalom Hartman Institute will follow all the regulations set forth by the Israeli Health Ministry and will remain in touch with all registrants regarding COVID-19 protocols as relevant to CLP in June 2024. Based on the COVID-19 situation in June, the Shalom Hartman Institute may implement additional measures to ensure the health and safety of all participants.
What is the cancellation policy?
Up to one week before the program’s start date (June 19, 2024), you may cancel and receive a full refund. Please note that we will deduct an administrative fee of 5% for all full refunds. If you cancel within a week of the program’s start date, we will refund 50% of the program cost. If we cancel the program for any reason at any time, you will receive a full refund for program fees. We cannot cover any cost associated with flights or accommodation bookings and we strongly advise that you take adequate travel insurance that covers cancellation.
What safety measures are taken?
Safety and security is our number one priority. Ensuring the safety and security of the participants at Shalom Hartman Institute activities is paramount in the context of our programs in Israel.
The Israeli government, in collaboration with various agencies, maintains a robust and vigilant security infrastructure to safeguard both residents and visitors and we take comfort in the extensive measures implemented to protect public spaces, transportation systems, and popular tourist destinations. In addition, at the Institute, we have our own private security at all entrances to the campus, participants will be well informed about safety procedures and how to access the secure spaces at the Institute, in case of emergencies.
