Advice
It can be daunting applying to yeshiva or midrasha as a gay or lesbian student. We know because it wasn't so long since we were in your shoes. And that's exactly why Makom exists. Our aim is to help you find the Israel year program that's right for you.
Our Approach
Potential students will virtually meet with a member of the Makom team before or during the gap-year application process. During that call we will help you clarify what you're looking for in your Israel experience and help suggest schools or programs that best meet these ideals. Questions to consider before meeting include program size, location, educational philosophy, emphasis on chesed opportunities, annual tiyulim, etc. The friends and mentors you spend time is Israel with will have a huge impact on what you get out of yeshiva/seminary, so we recommend coming up with a list of "best fit schools" before taking policy for gay and lesbian students into consideration. Once we establish a suitable list of programs, our staff will share the specific expectations of individual programs and discuss the general halachic and hashkafic outlook of the institutions.
Over the course of the year, staff will be available to talk and help problem solve if issues do come up. We also like to check in every so often to make sure your time in Israel is going well and get more up to date information on your lived experience.
We can also help direct students to resources and support available around Israel.
Get in touch
If you would like to schedule a time to talk, please email us at contact@makomisrael.co.uk