Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, please contact Adam Saville and the CLP team. We look forward to seeing you in June 2023 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 at 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?
The study seminar 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?
Study seminar participants come from a range of religious backgrounds and possess different 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?
See a draft schedule for CLP 2023
Do I need to know Hebrew?
Knowledge of Hebrew is not required. 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 within walking distance of the Hartman Institute campus. Click here for accommodations and special rates for program participants.
What is the CLP registration fee?
The registration fee for CLP 2023 is $2,350 USD / $2,900 CAD / ₪7,990 NIS
Generosity Waiver: Individual donors who make a new gift or pledge of $10,000 and above—and Foundations/Federations who make a grant of $25,000 and above—to the Shalom Hartman Institute between September 2022 through August 2023 are eligible for the option to waive the CLP 2023 Registration fee. Please note all pledges must be fulfilled by August 2023. Registration fee is waived for the donor plus one additional participant. For institutional funders the fee is waived for two participants from each Foundation/Federation.
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 make sure that you are able to 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 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 with senior Hartman faculty and scholars addressing that theme. 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 activity 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 don’t host prayer services at the Institute, you are welcome to attend services at any of the local Jerusalem-area synagogues. A list of options will be provided upon arrival 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 meals are served during the program?
Lunch and dinner are provided 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 generally serve dairy lunches and meat dinners and there is always a vegetarian option. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or have other specific dietary requirements, please help us plan by notifying us in advance.
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 that you will receive at registration and available at the courtesy desk.
Who are the faculty?
Faculty are Shalom Hartman Institute scholars from Israel and North America who are PhD 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 in the particular 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 wireless internet access in the majority of 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 what the COVID-19 safety policies will be in June 2023. However, the Shalom Hartman Institute will follow all of 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 2023. Based on the COVID-19 situation in June 2023, 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 start day (June 14, 2023), 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 start date, we will refund 50% of the program cost.