Students, academic and administrative staff, the Hebrew University community,

The Hebrew University, along with the rest of the research universities in Israel, will open the academic year 2024 on Sunday, December 31, 2023. There will be two semesters of 11 weeks each. We are impatiently waiting to return and meet on the campuses and are committed to doing our best so that we all finish the school year successfully.

Schedule for the academic year

• Orientation days will be held for new students starting December 24th. Messages will be sent separately.

• 31.12.2023: Opening of the academic year.

• March 17, 2024: End of first semester (this is the Sunday on which Tuesday's lessons will be taught).

• 18.3.2024—3.5.2024: exam period, including Fridays. A total of 30 exam days, not including holidays (Purim, Eid al-Fitr, Passover).

• 5.5.2024: Opening of second semester.

• 25.7.2024: end of second semester.

Teaching and learning:

• The lessons will be held face-to-face in the classrooms.

• The scope of the study material, assignments and exams will be adapted to the shortened semester.

• As a rule, lessons will be recorded.

Assistance to Reservists, Evacuees, and their Families

Even when the academic year begins, there is a good chance that some of the students, as well as their immediate relatives, will still be drafted. We are committed to not leaving any student behind—even if we start the academic year separately, we will do our best so that we all finish it together. We wish for the speedy and safe return of all reservists.

Significant assistance will also be given to students who were evacuated from their homes, and to others among us who will experience these and other difficulties due to the war.

More details about academic, financial, and emotional support can be found in the letter  which was sent to you on November 28 from this email address (Rector@savion.huji.ac.il) signed by Prof. Guy Harpaz and Prof. Lilach Sagiv.

Inclusion and Tolerance

The Hebrew University is proud of its diversity. All members of the university community, regardless of religion, gender, or descent, are flesh and blood of the university. We must show respect and tolerance to every member of our community, more so during these difficult days.

We will not Forget

Our hearts go out to the families of our students, who were murdered or killed during the war. Our hearts go out to members of our community whose loved ones were killed or injured. We wish a full and speedy recovery to the injured. Our hearts go out to Carmel Gat, our master's student in the School of Occupational Therapy, who was kidnapped to Gaza. Our hearts are with Prof. Yonatan Dekel-Chen, whose son, Sagi, was kidnapped to Gaza. We pray, each and every one of us in our way, for their safe return home, together with the other abductees.

Sincerely, Tamir