Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim

TRY is Your Ultimate High School Adventure: Live & Learn in Israel

Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim (TRY) is the gold standard study-abroad semester in Jerusalem for North American high schoolers (10th–12th grade).

Get Ready To:

Live in Israel

Keep Up With Your High School Classes From Back Home

Turn the Entire Country Into Your Living, Breathing Classroom

Hikie up Masada at sunrise explore the vibrant streets of Tel Aviv and living in a Jerusalem neighborhood, TRY isn’t just a semester away. It will shape who you are and who you become.

The TRY Experience: How It Works

Your Living Textbook: Forget sitting at a desk reading about history. On TRY, our Israel Core Course is experiential. One day you will read the Tanakh (Bible) overlooking the ancient hills of Jerusalem, and the next you’ll dive into the complexities of modern Israeli life.

Keep Up (or Get Ahead) Academically : You won’t fall behind. Our small-group General Studies classes and academic support ensure that you stay on track with your APs, honors, and core classes from your home high school. Check out our accreditation here. We provide you with an official transcript at the end of the semester.

The Masa (Journey) to Poland: An element of the TRY journey includes a powerful, deeply meaningful week-long journey in Poland, exploring the pre-war Jewish life in Poland, the Shoah and modern Jewish initiatives and communities.

Independence & Friendships: Living in a community of peers from all over North America teaches you real-world independence, advocacy and helps prepare you for college. You’ll build confidence, learn to navigate a new culture, and connect with a community that gets you.

Choose Your Semester

Program	Best For	When It Happens
The Spring Semester	The classic, full-immersion study abroad experience.	January – May
Mini-Mester	8 week TRY experience equivalent to one quarter of the school year	Add this, with option for Poland add on

Life on TRY (By the Numbers)

100% : The amount of Israel used as a classroom. From the deserts of the South to the tech hubs of Tel Aviv, to the mountains and streams of the North.

1 : Unforgettable community. Living, laughing, and learning side-by-side with an incredible cohort of Ramahniks and friends from all over North America.

Zero : The number of classes you’ll miss from home. We coordinate with your school.

Ready to Start Your Adventure?

Don’t just read about history – live it

History

Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim (Ramah Jerusalem High School) opened its doors to teens from North America in 1982. Since its opening, TRY has partnered with Jewish day schools, high schools, and community Federations to give students the ultimate study abroad experience.

TRY is also honored to partner with USY, offering the USY High track, which is fully integrated into the program.

Educational Philosophy

At TRY, we pursue academic excellence, provide inspirational Israel education, instill the Ramah camping movement’s values and traditions, and facilitate personal growth.

Jewish Life — יהדות וערכים

Expose our students to everyday life in Israel

Build a model Conservative Jewish kehilla (community)

Gain tools to live a Jewish life after TRY

Jewish Values/Religious Standards

Tefilla (prayer) Daily minyanim (prayer services)

Certified kosher program

Shabbat observant as acommunity and in public spaces

Dates and Rates

TRY 2027 Full Program: January 24 – May 26, 2027
Poland Experience: March 29 – April 5, 2027

Tuition: $23,650 (Land cost) / Tuition After Generous Masa Grant: $19,450

Chaperoned Group Flight Ticket: TBD

Early Bird TRY Full Program:

TRY 2027 Quarter Program: January 24 – March 25, 2027

Tuition (Land cost): $15,500 / Tuition After Generous Masa Grant: $11,300

Chaperoned Group Flight Ticket: TBD

Early Bird TRY Quarter Program:

Tuition Includes

Academic program and high school credit
Room and board (including laundry)
Medical insurance
Entry fees to sites and national parks
Group t-shirt
Poland Experience (for full program students only), including hotels, ground transportation, and flights to and from Israel
* Quarter students can join the Poland Experience for an additional cost of $2,450

Tuition Does Not Include

Flights to and from Israel
Ground travel to and from the airport (in North America)
Personal spending money
Cost of AP exams and tutorials
Travel insurance
Chaperoned group flight $1300
Under enrolled or unconventional courses (see our course list below)

PLEASE NOTE: Tuition for TRY is listed in US dollars and all payments must be made in US dollars.

Admissions

Applicants to the program must display sufficient academic, emotional, and social maturity, be in good health, and be willing to engage in the challenges of a dynamic, observant Jewish community.

TRY is right for you if you are:

Excited to take ownership of your free time and ability to succeed in your courses.
Able to get your homework and studying done without parental supervision.
Prepared to live far from home in a structured environment.
Ready to be held accountable for following directions and respecting rules and guidelines.
Able to handle the excitement and stress of new relationships and dormitory living.
In good mental and physical health.

Application Requirements

Completed online application
Recommendations from Teacher, Guidance Counselor and Rabbi/Educator
Interview (and, in some cases, additional evaluationa)
Full transcript from the previous academic year and most recent report card
Application essay
Study authorization from the school guidance counselor or other school administrator
Submission of curriculum from home school

Let the fun begin!

How to apply:

Learn about the program
YouTube, FB, IG, email tryinfo@ramah.co.il
Apply - Our application can be found HERE
Pay your deposit

This will:

Reserve your spot.
Open the remainder of the application.
Enable you to submit a financial aid request.

Interviews

TRY partners with MyInterview, a platform that enables pre-recorded interviews.

2. In order to be accepted, make sure you have:

Paid your deposit.
Completed both interviews.
Submitted at least one reference.
Submitted your essay.
Submitted transcript and report cards (via your guidance counselor).
Please note: additional forms may be requested.

3. Academic Review - Our goal is for you to return home, fully prepared to re-enter your classes.

This is what we need from you:

Speak with your guidance counselor about TRY.
Submit the Academic Authorization form in your TRY application.
Have each teacher provide a syllabus or table of contents, indicating the material that will be covered during your semester abroad.
We will be in touch with your guidance counselor throughout the process.

4. Let the fun begin!

Academics

TRY Educational Philosophy

For over 40 years, TRY has provided students from across North America with an unparalleled academic experience. Working with each student’s school, we can provide an individualized program that matches course load and curricula, and includes comprehensive student support and implementation of IEP/504 Plans.

Accreditation:

TRY offers a full range of grade level, honors, and AP courses in English, mathematics, science, history, foreign languages, and physical education. We are fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

Through a partnership between TRY and Gratz College in Philadelphia, TRY students are eligible to participate in a concurrent enrollment program in which they may earn college credits. TRY students have used their credit earned in the following colleges.

Our College Board school code is 675400.

Please download our TRY Course Descriptions for a more detailed description of the courses that we offer.

Download sample week schedule

Course Requirements

All students are required to enroll in the following:

Israel Core Course: Ancient to Modern History of Israel and the Middle East
Hebrew
Physical Education

In addition, most students enroll in the following courses:

English
Math
History
Science
Foreign Language

AP Courses can be arranged in most subjects.

Students will take no more than four General Studies courses in addition to the course requirements.

General Studies Course Options

English Language and World Literature

History

Canadian History
US Government
US History
World History / Global History

Health

Mathematics

Algebra II
Canadian Science
Calculus
Precalculus
Geometry

Languages

Spanish
French
Latin

Sciences

Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Other

Phys Ed
Visual Arts
Talmud
Rabbinics

*Students taking under-enrolled courses as well as those taking more than four courses are subject to an additional fee

Current TRY families - Needs to link to a password protected page like on our current website - https://ramah.org.il/current-try-families/

Course Catalog

Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim

TRY is Your Ultimate High School Adventure: Live & Learn in Israel

The TRY Experience: How It Works

Choose Your Semester

Life on TRY (By the Numbers)

Ready to Start Your Adventure?

History

Educational Philosophy

Jewish Life — יהדות וערכים

Jewish Values/Religious Standards

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim

Apply now!

Apply now!

Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim

TRY is Your Ultimate High School Adventure: Live & Learn in Israel

The TRY Experience: How It Works

Choose Your Semester

Life on TRY (By the Numbers)

Ready to Start Your Adventure?

History

Educational Philosophy​

Jewish Life — יהדות וערכים

Jewish Values/Religious Standards

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim

Apply now!

Apply now!

Educational Philosophy