Guide for New and Visiting Faculty

The Unit for Social Involvement
Social Involvement in the Community. In the framework of the activities offered by the Unit,
there are thousands of students (mostly in the “Perach” program) who work to assist needy
populations in the community.
Encouraging Higher Education. Special programs have been developed to encourage high
school students to obtain an education in general, and higher education in particular. The
programs are held on the University’s campus, thereby giving the students a feeling of pride
and capability. Tel.: 5882366.
Services for Groups of Students with Special Needs
Blind Students. In the Learning Center for the Blind, established in cooperation with the
“Aleh” Association, special equipment is available for blind students; there is also a recording
studio and large audio library. In addition, the Center helps the blind students with personal,
social and economic problems. Tel.: 5882551.
Students with Learning Disabilities. These services include a counselor hired to provide
counseling and help in acquiring learning skills. In addition, a tutoring specialist oversees
special equipment that was purchased and is available for use on and off campus by these
students. Tel.: 5880067.
Counseling Services for Students
The Counseling Services for students provides psychological support and assistance for
students who require it. The counseling, by skilled clinical psychologists, is provided to
students at a low cost. Tel.: 5882685.
Traditional and Religious Activity.
The center for religious activities is the Hecht Synagogue. It provides programs of Jewish
content, holiday celebrations, and Torah learning. Prayer services are held daily. Tel.:
5883886.
The Hebrew University Student Union
(Agudat Hastudentim)
The Student Union represents the student body on the Board of Governors, has two
observers on the Senate and sits on a number of academic and other elected committees. It
is a member of the National Union of Israeli Students, the World Union of Jewish Students
(WUJS), and the Coordinated Secretariat of the National Union of Students (COSEC). The
Student Union provides student services, legal aid and insurance services, help with finding
accommodation, etc. Through its associate company, Galshan-Shvakim, the Student Union
provides employment for hundreds of students during their period of studies. It also runs the
Academon bookstores on all four campuses, publishes the student newspaper, Pi Ha’Aton,
organizes extracurricular activities, including several clubs and workshops, and arranges
weekend seminars and special tours for immigrant students.
The Student Union is located in the Frank Sinatra Student Center, Mount Scopus, Tel.:
5813620, Fax: 5816204; Givat Ram campus, Tel.: 6584726, Fax: 5660411; Ein Kerem
campus, Tel.: 6758483, Rehovot campus, Tel.: 08-9489450, Fax: 08-9468131.
Galshan-Shvakim may be reached at Tel.: 5828228, Fax: 5815705. The company
charges potential employers a monthly fee to advertise its needs; students then match their
skills to the employer’s requirements.
Office of Student Activities
The Office of Student Activities (OSA) of the Rothberg International School (RIS) was
established 30 years ago to provide extracurricular activities for international students,
including lectures, workshops, weekend seminars, short excursions in and around Jerusalem,
hiking trips, overnight tours throughout Israel, volunteer projects, social events, holiday
celebrations and much more. It offers a wide array of colorful and interesting activities,
specially designed to enable students at the RIS to become acquainted with Israel firsthand
and to enhance the experience of living and studying in Jerusalem.