Israel Education

Immanuel College offers a modern orthodox Jewish education, which aims to inspire the pupils to live fulfilling Jewish lives, characterised by a thirst for knowledge and a love of Israel. Every Year 9 pupil benefits from a life-changing three and a half week trip to Israel. Immanuel College’s religious education has an inclusive approach to all its pupils, catering equally for boys and girls, regardless of the varied Jewish backgrounds from which they come. The School’s Beit HaMidrash (ICBM, Jewish Learning Centre), the hub of informal Jewish education at the school, organises visits to yeshivot and seminaries in Israel and Immanuel College values its relationships with the Israeli hospitals, soup kitchens and children’s homes that pupils support through their tzedakah (charity) projects. Outlined below are some of the ways we achieve this love for Israel:

Year 9 Israel Trip

The Year 9 Israel trip is a three-and-a-half week educational journey of a lifetime. Towards the end of the summer term, pupils travel the length and breadth of Israel visiting the locations of biblical events they have studied. Pupils gain first-hand insight into Israeli society and the challenges it faces.

Yom Ha'atzmaut

Yom Ha'atzmaut at Immanuel College is celebrated with great verve and happiness. Pupils dress in blue and white, and often many pupils adorn themselves with Israeli flags. During morning tefillah, the additional celebratory Hallel prayers are recited. Sixth Form pupils will arrange a charity fair and Israel-orientated activities such as a quiz and dancing.

Yom Yerushalayim

Yom Yerushalyim, which commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in June 1967, is celebrated at Immanuel College with the same fervor as Yom Ha’atzmaut. During morning tefillah, the additional celebratory Hallel prayers are recited and during lunch break the Beit Midrash and Sixth Formers lead dancing.

Yom HaZikaron

Each year Immanuel College commemorates Yom Hazikaron under the guidance of the Ivrit department with a ceremony of prayer, song and poetry. We are joined by special guests such as the Chief Rabbi, the Ambassador of the State of Israel and members of the Israel Defence Forces.

Ivrit curriculum

Ivrit (Modern Hebrew) is taught as a compulsory subject at Immanuel College in Years 7-9. Pupils can choose to continue studying Ivrit as a modern foreign language at GCSE, AS and A2 Level. 
Modern Hebrew is an essential part of the curriculum as it aids pupils’ understanding of the modern state of Israel and teaches them how to converse with Ivrit speakers throughout the world.
Pupils learn how to hold everyday conversations and talk about the issues that are of upmost importance in today’s Israeli society. It is hoped that pupils leaving Immanuel will have the tools to be able to use Ivrit in the future either for a simple trip to visit Israel or help them integrate easily in Israeli society should they choose to make Aliyah.

ICBM Yeshiva and Sem Trip for Year 11 and 12 students

Since 2009, the Beit Midrash has organised Yeshiva and Seminary Trips for post-GCSE students. These week-long trips, take students to experience learning in some of Israel’s most revered establishments and students enjoy shiurim given by the yeshiva/seminary Rabbonim.
This trip help those students who are considering taking a gap year in an Israeli yeshiva/seminary gain a clear understanding of the learning and experience that these establishments offer. More students that ever before are now choosing to spend their gap year in yeshiva/seminary.

Israel Advocacy Programme

The Beit Midrash runs this programme to help prepare Sixth Form students for life on university campus. The programme aims to teach students how to combat the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments that they may hear from other student groups.

To date, the programme has invited speakers from the Israeli Embassy and the UJIA, as well as representatives from the Muslim community who explain Israel from the Muslim point of view, and speakers from the Christian Friends of Israel.

Seminars include lectures such as:

The State of Israel on Campus
The History of the Jewish Settlements in Palestine
Explaining Judaism to non-Jews
My Role in the Arab Spring