Cramim: An Excellence Program for Undergraduate Studies

תוכנית כרמים

Get to Know the Cramim Program

The Cramim Program is designed for outstanding students interested in crafting a personalized study plan from the wide array of courses offered by the Faculty of Jewish Studies. It combines academic and research challenges with a rich intellectual and social experience. Admission to this program is highly selective, based on excellent academic records and an assessment process.

The Cramim Program in particular, and the Multidisciplinary Program in Jewish Studies in general, break down traditional disciplinary barriers within Jewish Studies. They unite these fields into a unique and content-rich integrated track. Jewish Studies encompasses the study of Bible, Talmud, Jewish History, Hebrew Language and Semitic Languages, Hebrew Literature, Yiddish and Ladino, Jewish Thought, Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology, Jewish Art, and Middle Eastern Studies. In the Multidisciplinary Program, you'll receive close academic guidance, direction, and personalized advice in building a study plan that allows you to delve deeply into the various fields that intrigue you.

Professor Tova Ganzel founded the Cramim Program and also serves as the Head of the School of Basic Jewish Studies at Bar-Ilan University. Her research focuses on prophetic literature against the backdrop of the ancient Near East, temples in the Neo-Babylonian and Persian periods, the reception of biblical criticism since the 18th century, and the role of women in providing halakhic (Jewish legal) responses.

Joining the Cramim community, an exclusive and vibrant student group, will provide you with an active learning experience with personal guidance from the senior faculty of the department. The broad education acquired in the program prepares our graduates to integrate into any field requiring deep, multi-dimensional thinking, analytical skills, and creative problem-solving. Over the three years of study in the program, students develop a rich and expansive human worldview. These abilities provide added value to our graduates in any field they choose to pursue. The program also offers the opportunity to combine studies with professional certifications, such as a teaching certificate or language editing certification, inviting a deeper exploration of Jewish identity and culture while developing a professional and practical toolkit.

 

 

Study Structure

Candidates with strong academic records are admitted to the "Cramim" program following a selection process, and they receive a tuition scholarship throughout their studies. As part of their curriculum, "Cramim" students enroll in several unique courses within the Multidisciplinary Program and participate in exclusive seminars and meetings.

To continue receiving the tuition scholarship, "Cramim" students must maintain an average grade of 90 or higher from year to year. Students who do not meet this requirement may continue their studies in the Jewish Culture track (a structured program).

"Cramim" students pursuing a major or expanded major in the program have two study tracks available: the "Concentrations" track and the "Personalized" track.

Program Regulations

Full Regulations

"Concentrations" Track

In the "Concentrations" track, students select three departments (for double-major students) or four departments (for single-major students) from the nine departments available within the Faculty of Jewish Studies. Within these chosen departments, they will complete "concentrations" of 20-24 annual hours, which include introductory courses, advanced courses, and seminars. In one of these concentrations, they will also take a course in bibliographic instruction. The remaining credits required for the degree will be earned through the courses unique to the "Cramim" program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the "Cramim" program is open to candidates with excellent academic credentials (high psychometric score, high matriculation average, or a combination of both). Special emphasis is placed on natural curiosity and a desire to delve into a wide and challenging range of studies within the Multidisciplinary Program in Jewish Studies, and concurrently, if of interest, in an additional department at the university (as part of a double major).

Admission to the program is also based on a selection process: submission of a CV, a personal interview with the program heads, and writing a short essay.

Accepted candidates to the program receive full tuition scholarships throughout their three years of undergraduate studies.

Candidates for "Cramim" are requested to submit the following via email to: tova.ganzel@biu.ac.il 

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • A short essay describing a formative event, book, or person that changed your life (up to 2 pages).

After receiving these materials, candidates will be invited for a personal interview.

Submitting your application to the program does not replace the standard registration and admission process for Bar-Ilan University.

How to Register?

Registration for programs within the Multidisciplinary Program in Jewish Studies is conducted through the university's website:

Undergraduate Registration

Please note: During the registration process itself, there is no distinction between the different programs of the Department. You should simply select undergraduate registration.

Here you will find all the information you need to know about undergraduate registration – from an admission chances calculator, to tracks without a psychometric exam, and dedicated information for graduates of Haredi institutions and more.

"Personalized" Track

The "Personalized" track is a unique option for "Cramim" students. In this track, students, in collaboration with their academic advisor, will build a study program that reflects their specific interests, drawing from courses offered across all departments within the Faculty of Jewish Studies.

For example, A student interested in languages could take courses in Hebrew Language, Semitic Languages, Biblical and Talmudic Aramaic, Yiddish, Ladino, and more. A student interested in a specific historical period could study courses dealing with that period from various perspectives in the departments of Jewish History, Bible, Talmud, Jewish Thought, Hebrew Literature, and others. A student interested in a particular social phenomenon could take courses related to that phenomenon across different departments.

However, even students in this track will need to complete relevant introductory courses and those that enable their participation in seminars within various departments. Students in the "Personalized" track will also participate in the special courses and other activities of the "Cramim" program.

Additional Requirements for Students in All Tracks
  • Educational Tours
    Some departments within the Faculty (Bible, Jewish History, Land of Israel Studies, Jewish Art, etc.) conduct several educational tours as part of their curriculum. These tours are a crucial component of the academic and experiential learning for students of Jewish Studies. All students in the program are required to participate in 2 educational tours during the academic year. These tours can be part of courses the student is taking, or separate tours offered directly by the departments.

     

  • General Courses, Foreign Language, and Other University Requirements
    Beyond the departmental study requirements, the university requires students to accumulate 128 credit points for their degree. This is achieved by supplementing departmental hours with general courses. These general courses can also be selected from other departments within the Faculty of Jewish Studies (but not from your specialization departments). We recommend that "Cramim" students take courses in foreign languages, modern or ancient, according to their areas of interest. The university also requires every student to achieve exemption level in English by the end of their first year of study. Every student must ensure they meet all university requirements for degree conferral.
Scholarships

Within the "Cramim" Program, eligible students will receive full tuition scholarships for all three years of their studies. For more details, please contact the program staff.

Scholarship Regulations

For the Timetable

Courses Offered within the Program for the 2025-2026 Academic Year