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When I enter the large Beis Medrash in Jerusalem’s Givaat Mordechai�neighborhood for 4:00 PM mincha (on almost any given day), I am always�happy to see the eclectic crowd that gathers there: Chassidim, Dati Leumi and�Yeshivishe Misnagdim all taking a break from their rigorous academic courses�to daven together. With all of the media attention surrounding the contentious�relationship between the Chareidim and the rest of the Israeli population, it is�nice to know that there is at least one place that is devoid of argument,�focused instead on pushing forth solutions for Chareidi employment.

That place, of course, is the Jerusalem College of Technology�s Lev�Academic Center, previously known as Machon Lev.

Ever since its establishment in 1969, the Jerusalem College of Technology�(JCT) has been at the forefront of Israel’s “Learn and Earn” revolution,�developing specialized curricula that allow one to earn a parnasa and�enhance his learning and avodas Hashem. Prof. Ze�ev Lev, the original force�behind JCT, felt that it was crucial to create an academic institution whose�first emphasis was on Torah and living the life of a ben torah, but also focused�on earning a serious academic degree.

Today, JCT is one of Israel�s most unique and prestigious academic�institutions of higher learning with a focus on science and technology. JCT is�comprised of four institutes of higher learning on three campuses with over�8,000 students studying towards advanced academic degrees in technology,�high-tech, engineering, business, industrial management, life sciences, and�numerous other specialties.

The emphasis of Torah is palpable in the beautiful and vibrant Beis Medrash�led by one of the leading poskim, Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. Eli�Ribowsky, a former student in the international school explained that JCT was�the perfect fit for him because �the classes only begin at 1:30 PM to ensure�that all students are able to have a full morning seder.� In the same vein, there�are a number of programs that only have classes scheduled in the evenings�to allow for a full day of learning. The three-year business program operates�on a condensed schedule that allows students to spend only two afternoons a�week on campus.

�No other program like this exists in Israel, offering serious bochrim the�opportunity to stay in Israel to complete undergraduate studies at a very high�level. And at just $3,650 per year, the program is attractive and affordable for�those busy preparing themselves for their next stage of life,� explains Stuart�Herskowitz, the senior advisor to the president of JCT.

�Mention the name JCT within the intelligence world, specifically in the Israeli�army and immediately there will be a sense of awe. Over 10% of the elite�Intelligence Corps ‘Cyber Soldier’ Unit are JCT alumni. The electro-optic ‘eye’�for the Arrow Missile Project was developed by alumni for the Israeli army,�who then helped the US develop a similar technology,� noted Profesor Chaim�Sukenik, the President of JCT. “JCT is the leading developer of Israeli�defense technologies and their contributions to the field are virtually endless.”

In addition to supplying highly skilled, professional graduates to the high-tech�industry in Israel and around the world, JCT is responsible for initiating major�social and financial changes in Israel as well as improving the quality of the�country’s security systems. But most importantly, it does all this while placing�Torah values above all else.

Find out more about JCT here

Written by Rabbi Adi Isaacs, International Director at Jerusalem College of�technology