Yeshiva and Seminary Words: A Glossary for Parents

The year itself

• Shana aleph (שָׁנָה א׳): the first year in Israel.
• Shana bet (שָׁנָה ב׳): a second year, usually at the same yeshiva or seminary. See deciding about a second year.
• Yeshiva (יְשִׁיבָה): a men's program built around Torah study.
• Midrasha, or seminary (מִדְרָשָׁה): a women's program built around Torah study. "Midreshet" is the same word in a school's name. See the kinds of programs explained.
• Chutznik (חוּצְנִיק): slang for someone from abroad (from chutz la'aretz, outside the Land).
• Masa (מַסָּע): Masa Israel, the joint project of the Government of Israel and The Jewish Agency that helps fund long programs. See paying for the year.

Learning

• Beit midrash (בֵּית מִדְרָשׁ): the study hall, where students learn in pairs and small groups.
• Chavruta (חַבְרוּתָא): a study partner, or the time spent learning with one.
• Shiur (שִׁעוּר): a class or lecture. Plural: shiurim.
• Seder (סֵדֶר): a block of study time, such as the morning or evening seder. (Also the Passover meal.)
• Gemara (גְּמָרָא): the Talmud, the main text studied in most yeshivas.
• Chesed (חֶסֶד): kindness; at seminaries and yeshivas, the word for volunteering.

Staff

• Rosh yeshiva (רֹאשׁ יְשִׁיבָה): the head of a yeshiva.
• Ram (רַ״ם): a yeshiva teacher who gives a regular shiur.
• Mashgiach (מַשְׁגִּיחַ): a staff member who looks after students' growth and wellbeing.
• Madrich, madricha (מַדְרִיךְ, מַדְרִיכָה): a counselor, often a recent graduate, who works closely with the students outside class.
• Em bayit (אֵם בַּיִת): "house mother": a staff member who looks after the dorm at some seminaries.

Titles vary from program to program. When you're told who to call about a problem, ask for the person's name and role. See for parents during the year.

The calendar

• Zman (זְמַן): a term of the yeshiva year. Many use Elul zman (late summer), winter zman and summer zman.
• Bein hazmanim (בֵּין הַזְּמַנִּים): the break between terms, such as after Sukkot and around Pesach.
• Tiyul (טִיּוּל): a trip or hike. Programs run them throughout the year.
• Shabbaton (שַׁבָּתוֹן): a Shabbat the whole group spends together, often away from campus.
• In Shabbat, out Shabbat: whether the program hosts students that Shabbat or they find their own hosts. See Shabbat and vacations.

Daily life

• Rav-Kav (רַב־קַו): the public transport card. See getting around Israel.
• Makolet (מַכֹּלֶת): a small neighborhood grocery.
• Kupat cholim (קֻפַּת חוֹלִים): an Israeli health fund, the way Israeli residents get medical care. For how students from abroad are covered, see health insurance and medical care.
• Mamad (מַמָּ״ד): a protected room inside a building, used during alerts. See safety and emergencies.

After the year

• Aliyah (עֲלִיָּה): immigrating to Israel and becoming a citizen.
• Oleh, olah (עוֹלֶה, עוֹלָה): a person who has made aliyah. An oleh chadash is a new immigrant.
• Hesder (הֶסְדֵּר): an arrangement that combines yeshiva study with army service.
• Mechina (מְכִינָה): a pre-army program for Israelis just out of high school.
• Mahal (מח״ל): the army's track for volunteers from abroad who don't make aliyah.
• Chayal boded (חַיָּל בּוֹדֵד): a lone soldier: a soldier whose parents live abroad. See joining the IDF.
• Sherut leumi (שֵׁרוּת לְאֻמִּי): national service, a year or two of full-time volunteering. See staying in Israel.

Common questions

What does shana aleph mean?

The first year of study in Israel after high school. Shana bet is a second year.

What does bein hazmanim mean?

"Between the terms": the break between terms of the yeshiva year, such as after Sukkot and around Pesach.

What is a chavruta?

A study partner. Much of the day in a yeshiva or seminary is spent learning with a chavruta in the beit midrash.

What is a madricha?

A counselor at a seminary or program, often a recent graduate, who works closely with the students outside class. The male form is madrich.

What does hesder mean?

An Israeli arrangement that combines yeshiva study with army service. For students from abroad, a year in a hesder yeshiva's overseas program doesn't mean joining the army.