The Upper Academy for Leadership Background and Objective The objective of the second-year program at the Upper Academy is to bring its students through an educational leap that enables the growth of their personality and completes the process begun in the first year of academy, yeshiva, or national service. The Program During this period students study the fundamental works of Jewish tradition, as well as masterpieces of Western civilization. This includes intensive studies of the Bible (ten books), Talmud (Tractate "Makkot") and philosophical works by the likes of Plato (Two Dialogues), Aristotle, Descartes ("Meditations on First Philosophy"), Spinoza, Machiavelli and Kant. As part of the same process, they study the works of Zionist thinkers Brenner, Berdichevsky, and Achad Ha'am. Students delve in the secrets of the Zohar and Maimonides's Guide for the Perplexed, and study the writings of Rabbi Kook and Rabbi Soloveitchik, all the while broadening their cultural horizons. The object of these studies is to improve the students' understanding of their Israeli identity. During this period they observe Israeli society through the works of Marx, Milton Friedman and Naomi Klein, and reexamine the Israeli-Arab conflict from non-traditional perspectives. Simultaneously with the intellectual development, the students develop their bodies as well. Students of the academy enroll in a martial arts course (Kung-Fu, Tai-Chi), go on hikes across Israel, and prepare physically for their service period. Aside from the educational aspect, the academy also strives to supply its students with tools to allow their growing personalities to break free in the form of social activity. In this process, the students learn different means of advancing social initiatives, as well as how to produce a significant piece of expository or creative writing. Inquiries Please contact us by e-mail, or by phone at +972-52-293-0283.