Rabbinical Students' Delegation FAQs

The RSD program costs between $3,500 and $3,700 depending on the host-site location. Upon acceptance to the program, each participant automatically receives a subsidy of approximately $3,000. Therefore the total cost to participants is between $500 and $700.

Program fees cover the cost of round-trip airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation, meals, purified water for drinking and cooking, tools and materials for the group’s work project, AJWS group leader expenses, and host-organization administrative costs.

Please note: Program fees do not include inoculations/medications and entry or exit taxes.

RSD usually takes place in the first two weeks of January during the winter break of most rabbinical schools.

A total of 25 rabbinical students are accepted to RSD each year.

On a typical day, the group will wake up at around 6:30 a.m., engage in a community prayer experience and then eat a hearty breakfast. At around 7:30 a.m., participants begin their work project. The group will work until lunch, followed by a learning session and perhaps a chance to rest. In the afternoon, the group will return to work. After an early dinner, the group will have another study session and perhaps a scheduled activity with the host community.

Depending on the host community, participants will either sleep in rustic dorms or in a community building, such as a clinic or a school. Beds range from hammocks to wooden bunk-beds to foam mattresses on the floor. Bathroom facilities might include flush toilets, latrines or outhouses, and bathing is generally done in a “bucket shower.”

Depending on the host community, participants will eat either in community members’ homes or in a central location. Food is usually quite simple (beans/rice/fruit/vegetables/tortillas), always ample and vegetarian. Individuals requiring hechshered food may have to bring food to supplement their diet; in such cases AJWS can provide a list of suggested foods. In addition, Shabbat meals will be cooked prior to Shabbat.

Each year, AJWS invites a distinguished Jewish scholar to join in the RSD, work and learn alongside participants, and offer a unique series of educational sessions to complement the AJWS service-learning curriculum. The 2009 Scholar-in-residence is Rabbi Elka Abrahamson. Past scholars-in-residence include Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun; Rabbi David Ellenson, President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion; Devorah Zlochower, Rosh Beit Midrash of the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education; Rabbi Sid Schwarz, President of Panim: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values; and Rabbi Or Rose, Instructor of Rabbinics and Jewish Thought at Hebrew College.

Work projects vary widely between host communities. Past work projects have included building schools and community centers, digging ditches to lay water pipes, and farming. Work projects are always identified by and serve the needs of the host community.

RSD is led by two group leaders who are trained by AJWS. They are expert facilitators and educators, and are certified in emergency first aid. For health, safety and security reasons, the AJWS group leaders are ultimately responsible for the well-being of the group.

The group will pray together each morning. Each seminary will be invited to lead morning prayers once during the delegation. Shabbat will be planned and led by participants. Typically, after an initial group planning conversation, participants divide into groups of three or four to prepare the various components of Shabbat.