Beer Sheva is known as the capital of the Negev Desert. Located at the northern tip of the Negev Desert, Beer Sheva is also one of Israels fastest growing cities. ֲ  Home to Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva has a large student population and a vibrant culture for young adults. The student community is very social and offers many opportunities for Masa Fellows to take part in student initiatives and activities. As a result, the area around the university has a college town feel, filled with entertaining nightlife. ֲ  Beer Sheva also has a large immigrant population and many Bedouin communities in the nearby areas. Fellows are encouraged to volunteer with these communities to better understand local issues of coexistence.

Offered in conjunction with the Department of Bible and the Institute of Archaeology and the Ancient Near East  This two-year Master's program in Israel is designed for students who wish to study contemporary Biblical (Hebrew scriptures) studies, providing grounding in Biblical as well as Modern Hebrew. Students specialize in one of two tracks:  1. The Bible: Cultural and Historical Context. In this specialization, students study the historical, cultural, and geographical context in which the Bible was composed, as well as its impact on later cultural and historical contexts and events.  2. The Bible and the Ancient Near East. In addition to studying the Bible in its immediate regional context, students acquire a sound knowledge of the history and culture of the Ancient Near East, including the study of Akkadian. (Students may also choose to study other ancient languages, such as Egyptian, Ugartic, or Greek.)  The M.A. program consists of 42 credits over four consecutive semesters, including required courses in Biblical Hebrew, Akkadian, History and Culture of the Ancient Near East, and Introduction to Biblical Literature, as well as elective courses and tutorials. Group tutorials are offered in Biblical Aramaic and Targum Onqalos.  

For more information contact: contactus@mail.huji.ac.il