Married Couples Program
For four decades, Shapell’s/Yeshiva Darché Noam, together with its sister seminary, Midreshet Rachel V’Chaya, have provided the perfect combination for married couples interested in a shared growth and learning experience in Israel. The full curriculum of each school is combined with special classes for married students and joint events, covering topics relevant to couples and young families. Couples also benefit from the Darche Noam community of peers , alumni, and teachers and mentors.
Yearly, Shapell’s/Darché Noam awards two 11 month fellowships to couples with outstanding academic and leadership potential as well as demonstrated commitment to both Jewish growth and the Jewish community. These fellowships include full tuition, half board, and the ability to rent a partially subsidized apartment on the Shapell’s campus. Included is full-time learning in the regular programs for the husband at Yeshiva Darche Noam/Shapell’s and for the wife at Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. In addition, the couple will be part of our Married Couples Program, which provides special programs and classes for married students seeking to build stronger marriages and homes, on the foundation of Torah.
We encourage observant young couples who are committed to Torah study, spiritual growth, and service to the Jewish community, to apply for this program and a fellowship.
Shapell’s/Darché Noam is internationally known for its structured approach to teaching how to access Jewish texts, its presentation and integration of different approaches in Torah Judaism, its diverse staff, and its high quality student body. With an emphasis on middot development and teaching a love of Israel, students are instilled with an appreciation of their uniqueness as individuals and responsibility as Jews. Built on the philosophy of Deracheha Darché Noam, “the ways of the Torah are ways of harmony”, the Yeshiva and Seminary have facilitated the spiritual and personal growth of thousands of men and women. Graduates make an impact on their communities, whether in Rabbinic, educational or lay leadership roles. Our Married Couples Program in particular has proven to have a profound, long-term impact on the lives of its participants in building those families.
For information about our Married Couples Program, please contact Rabbi Yitzchak Lerner.
Application Guidelines
Fellowships are for married couples who will commit to an entire academic year of full time study at Shapell’s/ Yeshiva Darche Noam and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Fellows are expected to maintain excellent attendance, pursue their studies diligently, be role models for their fellow students, and play a leadership role in the Yeshiva and Midrasha community.
Fellowships cover:
- Full tuition (after MASA Israel scholarships for those who are eligible; see https://www.masaisrael.org/
program/midreshet-rachel- shapells-yeshiva-darche-noam/) - Daily lunch (the main meal of the day in Israel) when classes are in session.
- Participation at “In Shabbatot” (10 – 12 times a year), special Shabbatonim (multiple times a year) and the other activities of both divisions.
- The ability to rent partially subsidized on-campus housing in one of the apartments on the Shapell’s campus.
Fellowships do not cover travel to and from Israel, other food not listed above, electricity and other apartment expenses, transit within Israel, cell phones, child care, insurance, and other daily incidental expenses. Students who qualify for additional needs-based scholarships from MASA Israel are encouraged to apply to MASA. Any needs-based funds received will be credited to the Fellows in the form of a monthly stipend which can be used to pay their subsidized rent or for other needs.
All applicants must complete the standard application for admission to Shapell’s/Yeshiva Darche Noam and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Upon acceptance, candidates for a fellowship will then be invited to complete a supplementary application.
Learn More
Please fill out this brief form and a we will reach out to you as soon as possible to discuss the Married Couples Program.
