The Inward Bound program is designed to give the participant a sophisticated and holistic understanding of the major concepts, principles, and practices of Judaism. By examining these concepts principles and practices from a foundational level, the participant will gain an understanding of how all of the various aspects fit together in an integrated spiritual whole.

Because these foundational aspects of Judaism are so often overlooked in all branches of Judaism, we tend to get people on the Inward Bound program from every background across the spectrum. Our students range from the young person with no Jewish background fresh off of a Taglit/Birthright trip to people who have advanced Jewish day school experience.

The Inward Bound program usually goes from 9am - 5:30 pm. Sometimes there are night activities, sometimes there are tiyulim (trips).

The Inward Bound program is a learning program. We learn everyday at the Isralight World Center located in a beautiful, air conditioned, newly renovated 900 year old crusader era building overlooking the Western Wall and the Temple Mount.

The core of the program is Rabbi David Aaron’s Jewish Philosophy and Mysticism course. Rabbi David Aaron has been teaching this course to thousands of spiritual seekers for nearly 25 years in the Old City of Jerusalem. The course has resulted in the publishing of eight books, including best sellers such as “Endless Light”, “The Secret Life of God”. “Living a Joyous Life”
The course examines the most fundamental concepts of Judaism in a deeply soulful, yet crystal clear manner. Who is God? Why pray? What are the reasons behind the mitzvot? What is meant by the term The Chosen People?

Rabbi Binny Freedman is a scholar, a musician, as well as a company commander in the IDF. Rav Binny has been inspiring students at Isralight for over 15 years with his unique brand of Torah understanding, music, storytelling and charisma.

Rav Binny teaches Jewish Daily living. The moral and ethical and spiritual rationale behind the daily practices of Jewish life. Rav Binny also teaches Contemporary Jewish Issues. Rav Binny is also the Rosh Yeshiva of the Orayta Yeshiva

Rabbi Mottle Wolfe is director of the Inward Bound Program. He spent two years living in the Far East, and now resides with his family in Jerusalem. Reb Mottle combines his humor with his love of the mystical and his desire to create a passionate joy-filled Jewish Experience.

We also explore issues such as Judaism and Environmentalism, and Woman and Judaism.

At Isralight, we believe that in Israel, Torah is not just learned with the mind, but also with the feet. Therefore we take the “Beit Medrish” outside. We learn about Torah in the very places the stories took place, bringing the biblical narrative alive.

"This was the first time I was introduced to a Judaism that I could love. I still don’t understand exactly how this 3 week program addressed so many of my deepest questions that were never answered in ANY other program. I honestly feel like this program was created just for me. But every person had such a transformative experience and felt that it was created just for them as well." - Jen Fink, Toronto Canada

I'm an intellectual type of person, that approaches most subject matter including my Jewish education through very defined academic lenses. Not only was I made to feel just as comfortable in the Inward Bound program as every other participant, irrespective of their personalities and sensibilities, but I learned a very powerful lesson through this experience. As much as I was encouraged by the rabbis to continue in my spiritual journey, in my own terms and pace, I came to understand that there is an enormously rich meaning in Jewish tradition that can't be understood intellectually, but rather must be experienced. -Leo Khayet, Yale Business School

Isralight | Upcoming Events | Senior Lecture Staff | Contact | Apply