As You Begin Packing...

 What Should I Not Bring?

• Don’t bring things which will distract you and others from learning, and bring down the kedushah of our environment. This is your year to focus on growing in ruchniut !

Laptops: We allow laptops in dormitory rooms only.  Laptops are NOT allowed in any other areas, including the common area of the dormitory, classrooms, office, Bet Midrash and hallways.  Keep in mind that using laptops for movies, TV programs and the like will take away from your ability to grow spiritually during this special year.  Think of it as a time to get a little spiritual breathing space.  Please note that our insurance does not cover laptops and we cannot take responsibility for them.

 Smartphones: Blackberries, Iphones, Itouch devices, and the like, are permitted.  Since use of any phone in the Bet Midrash or classrooms is not permitted, all devices must be deposited in the baskets available for this purpose in each room.

• Don’t bring clothing which you will not be permitted to wear :) (see our dress code below).
• Don’t bring so much clothing!  Ask girls who’ve been to Israel for the year how much clothing you’ll realistically need. (see last page for student's tips)
• Don’t bring expensive things which can “disappear,” like jewelry and very expensive electronics..  We are not insured for valuables that are lost or stolen.
• Keep any cash you bring in the school safe, not in your room.

What Should I Bring?

• Sefarim: Sefarim (books) can be easily purchased in Israel, and we usually arrange for a bookseller to sell sefarim at Midreshet for your convenience. If you already have sefarim and prefer to bring them, you may want to bring: A siddur, a Tanach (the Koren edition, so that you will be able to follow along with shiurim), Chumash Mikra’ot Gedolot, a set of Mishnah Berurah, Shemirat Shabbat Ke-Hilchatah vols I-II, Selichot, Machzorim and Haggadah shel Pesach.
• Clothing: The rainy season in Israel usually lasts from Sukkot to Pesach, with temperatures 30°-60° Fahrenheit. From Pesach on, days can be rather warm, evenings cool. Some suggestions (in addition to usual clothing):

• winter coat
• sweaters
• sweatshirts
• thermals 
• warm pajamas
• flannel sheets
• waterproof warm boots
• sleeping bag (optional)
• bed linens
• summer pajamas
• toiletries, deodorant, contact lens solution
• pillow & blanket
• weekend bag
• towels
• wide skirts for tiyulim
• sunblock & suntan lotion
• hat for sun (ESSENTIAL)
• walking shoes or sneakers
• clothing hangers
• batteries
• laundry bags

• Personal Expenses: Personal expenses include transportation, snacks, laundry and cleaning, books, gifts and personal care items.  The school serves 3 meals a day except for when there are no shiurim. Although these expenses vary with each student, we estimate that $200 a month should suffice.  Please remember that the initial startup costs will be higher, since books, kitchen supplies, and utensils, etc. must be purchased at the outset.

Should I Make Shabbat Plans Already?

• We will spend the first Shabbat, August 31-Sept 1, Parshat Ki Teitzeh, together “Ba-Bayit.”
• On Sukkot, the dorm is open during Chol Ha-Mo’ed but closed for Yom Tov. Let us know if we can arrange a place for you to stay!
• On regular Shabbatot, you may spend Shabbat with family, friends or members of our faculty. If at least four students are staying in for Shabbat, they will be joined by a madrichah and enjoy Midreshet’s Shabbat meals. We are always happy to help set you up with places to go for Shabbat!
• All students are required to attend school Shabbatonim (our calendar will be sent shortly).

Travel Policy

• Over 20 years of experience has taught us that traveling during the year in Israel profoundly detracts from your success in learning and growing. Most students who travel find themselves distracted and losing their focus as they approach the time for travel, and find it very difficult to recapture their momentum when they return. We urge you to maximize your experience by avoiding travel, and where unavoidable, making it as brief as possible. On the other hand, we enthusiastically encourage parents to visit! Come in to say hello, meet your daughter’s teachers, and sit in on a shiur to see what the “year in Israel” is really like!
• Students may not leave the country during the school year (other than Pesach vacation) except to attend semachot in the immediate family, and must apply for permission in writing BEFORE TICKETS ARE PURCHASED. Once a request is submitted, a decision will be made within one week. Please note that travel abroad is not permitted during our brief intersession.
• Permission to go abroad may be granted for up to eight days of shiurim, but these days will be counted as absences.
• A student who is receiving scholarship money from Midreshet Moriah may not travel abroad during her year in Israel except for Pesach, as per our letter. Scholarship money should be used to help pay tuition and expenses during your year in Israel. 
• Although many students return home for Pesach break, we strongly encourage you to consider staying in Israel, which offers great opportunities for fun and enriching activities during this season… Our dorm is open during Pesach break (except for on the Chag itself and Shabbat Chol Ha-Mo’ed) and there are lots of activities! We are happy to set you up with families for the Seder and Chag!
• Students returning home for Pesach may leave no earlier than March 12^th and must be in school no later than Friday, April 5^th. Please make sure to book all airline tickets now (especially bonus tickets) in compliance with these dates.
• Do not make plans to leave on the night of banquet, June 9.  It is very disappointing for the student who has to leave before our banquet is over.

Dress:

Please pack and choose clothing to wear with the knowledge that our standards will be enforced vigorously from the moment you land in Israel and through the entire year.

From the airport, we will be going straight to the Kotel. Any student who is dressed inappropriately will be asked to change at the airport. In order to avoid unpleasantness or embarrassment for you, we would like to clearly outline Midreshet Moriah’s dress code – which applies both in school and during your free time.

• All clothing must be loose-fitting.
• Necklines must be closed to the collarbone. V-neck or scoop-neck shirts or sweaters are not acceptable. Men’s v-neck or sleeveless undershirts are prohibited, even when worn under cardigans or sweatshirts.
• Sleeves must cover the elbow.      
• Skirts must reach well below the knee when standing or sitting. Slits above the knee (front and back) are not permitted.
• Shirts must cover the torso when standing, sitting and bending.
• Pants are not permitted.
• Shirts should not bear inappropriate pictures or writing. 
• Piercings are not permitted, any place other than ears.

We have taken this opportunity to address you early enough so that you can shop appropriately. 

Please do not bring clothes that do not meet these standards.

                                                * * *

Midmo Friends Suggest You Bring: (you want to read this!)  

                                     “WHY DIDN’T I READ THIS LIST?”

                                     Thanks for the tips, Students 5772