PONTIFICAL BIBLICAL INSTITUTE

THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM

JOINT PROGRAM: OCTOBER 2017 JANUARY 2018

Essential Information: March 2017

* * * * *
Pontifical Biblical Institute (Jerusalem)
3, Paul Emile Botta Street
P.O. Box 497 N.B. On letters use the PO Box number]
91004 Jerusalem (Israel)
Telephone: +972-2-62 52 843
Fax: +972-2-624 12 03
e-mail: admipib@gmail.com (common to Fr. Superior and Fr. Minister)

Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome)

Via della Pilotta 25 00187 Roma (Italy)
Tel.: + 06-69526 6179 (Secretary)
Fax: + 06-69526 6211 e-mail: pibsegr@biblico.it

Staff in Jerusalem:
Fr. Fr. Stefano Bittasi, S.J., Director
Fr. Jos M. Abrego, S.J., Responsible for the academic programs
Fr. Camil Kerketta, S.J., Minister

Staff in Rome:
Fr. Michael Kolarcik, S.J., Rector
Fr. Peter Dubovsk, S.J., Dean of the Biblical Faculty
Sig. Carlo Valentino, Secretary General

All applications for the program with the Hebrew University should
be handed in to the Secretarys Office of the Biblical Institute in Rome
by April 20, 2017.
2, H.U. P.B.I. Joint Program

After April 20, each candidate will receive information from the He-
brew University about the on-line registration.
It is necessary to submit also a report on a medical examination. You
will be requested to download the special form during your on-line ap-
plication and have it filled out by your doctor.
Dates: The Hebrew University courses begin on October 22, 2017 and
end on January 26, 2018 [January 29 February 5: exam week]. The
courses on the History of the NT and Greek A (Fr. Josef Briffa, S.J.) will
begin on October 7; it includes the trip to Galilee. Students should ar-
rive between October 2 and 4.
Students interested in a summer program for the study of modern He-
brew are asked to get information from Mr. Valentino.
Permissions, Information in Rome: The course at Hebrew University is
very intense. Therefore it is not encouraged that the students enrol for
any courses besides the ones demanded by the program. Modifications
to the program or the addition of extra courses must be approved in
writing by the Dean (Fr. Dubovsk). Experience has shown that students
do not realize the intensity of the program at the beginning. However,
within two months the challenges of the program are very obvious. It is
better that students do well in the courses that they have to take than
take on the danger of doing less well because they have too many
courses.
Students are expected to stay at the P.B.I. in Jerusalem unless some
other arrangement is approved by the Rector (Fr. Kolarcik).
Hebrew University Address: Ordinarily there should be no need for a
student to contact the University before arriving in Israel, but should
some need arise the address is: Division of Graduate Studies, Rothberg
International School, Mount Scopus, 91905 Jerusalem, Israel. Tel.: 972-
2-5883184. Fax: 972-2-5882363. The person to contact is Ms. Timna
Zaray-Mizrahi (e-mail: timnazm@savion.huji.ac.il).
The website of the Rothberg International School is <http://over-
seas.huji. ac.il> through which you can get much information about
the school and all its courses.
 H.U. P.B.I. Joint Program, 3

Health Insurance: Students are not admitted to study in The Hebrew

University unless they can show that they have health insurance valid
for Israel. Students who wish to obtain health insurance from the uni-
versity may do so at a price of about $200. This covers all expenses for
those under 30. For students over 30 a special full-coverage package
can be purchased for the rate of $1.50 per day or somewhat more. Be
sure you are quite clear and quite certain about your health insur-
ance plans before you leave for Israel (also for the weeks before the
beginning of the program at the Hebrew University).

Expenses and Money Matters

The tuition at the Hebrew University for the 2016-17 program was
$4,000, plus registration fee of $80.00 (this fee doesnt cover any sum-
mer program in Modern Hebrew). The University has not yet com-
municate the cost for 2017-18. We hope that it remains unchanged.
The tuition for the University should be paid by a bank transfer to the
bank account of the PBI in Jerusalem (see Methods of payment, be-
low). The Treasurer of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem will
transmit the money to the Hebrew University.
The fee for the trip to Galilee (3 days), to the Dead Sea area (one day)
and to Samaria (one day) will be altogether about $600.00. Board and
lodging at the Biblical Institute in Jerusalem is $ 1650 per month (four
months = $ 6600). Those who will remain some days more will arrange
the question with the superior of the community.
Students who are going to Jerusalem should be aware that it is expen-
sive to cash bank checks there as well as Travelers Checks or cash.
(Bringing in large sums of cash is, of course, risky because of the danger
of loss or theft). Another system is to use a credit card or cash-card
with which to draw money from ATM machines. The commission fee
for this operation varies according to your bank. When calculating the
amount of personal money you need to bring in to Israel do not forget
transport tickets (about $ 14 per week), coffee at University (1 caff =
1 ). The PBI Jerusalem can possibly organize a 3-days trip to Jordan.
The trip to Jordan costs about 600 USD (The tip to the driver and the
4, H.U. P.B.I. Joint Program

guide is not included. The more the number of persons making the trip,
less would be the cost of the trip and tip). However, this trips is op-
tional, therefore its costs is not included in the budget.
NT History [3 ECTS] (prof. Briffa) and NT Greek, A [5 ECTS] (prof. Cavic-
chia) are in effect of the Biblical Institute. They are to be paid in Rome
before you leave [ 55 x 8 = 440]. Be sure to get your student card val-
idated for the year 2017-2018.

Methods for Payment

Payment of the perdiem at PBI-Jerusalem and the Hebrew Univer-
sity tuition must be done in Rome. You have two possibilities:
1) Cheque made out to Economato Generale S.J.. [Bring the cheque
to Mr. Valentino].
2) Bank transfer to:
I.O.R. (= Istituto per le Opere di Religione) Vatican City.
A/c No. 27212007, Economato Generale S.J.
SWIFT-Code (BIC): IOPRVAVX [Vatican Bank has no IBAN]
Please write clearly the reason for the payment: For Pontifical
Biblical Institute of Jerusalem + students name.
NB: PBI-Jerusalem doesnt accept transfer of money for trips and
other personal expenses. Each student is responsible for the
amount he considers necessary for these purposes. Remember
that the journey to Galilee ($600) must be paid in cash at your arri-
val in Jerusalem.
At the Pontifical Biblical Institute, there is the possibility to deposit
cash in a vault at the Institute.
Visa Requirements: As the length of the program is above three
months, all students need a student visa. Last year (2016) it was possi-
ble to have the visas issued by the Israel Consulate in Rome. This
greatly simplified the procedure. We hope that the Consulate will be
willing to do so also this year. However, Mr. Valentino will assist you
in this matter (not always easy...). A Student Visa costs about 43 Euro.
 H.U. P.B.I. Joint Program, 5

If you are in Italy with a permesso di soggiorno and your soggiorno

espires when you are in Israel, you have to submit your request for
renewal in September. The Israel Consulate requires the receipt of
your application for renewal in order to issue the visa.
Passports: Be sure your passport is valid until at least 30 July 2018. Israel
requires that passports are valid for six months after intended depar-
ture date. If it will expire before that time renew it at your Embassy/Con-
sulate in Rome before September 2017.
Airline Reservations:
Each student is responsible for his airline reservation. If you are less
than 31 you may have a reduced fare through the Centro Turistico Stu-
dentesco e Giovanile (check address in internet). The Secretary has an
understanding Impronte Viaggi (Via S. Croce in Gerusalemme 77 -
tel.: 067001906) that the agency be recommended as the first choice,
if it is willing to give the Biblical Institute students a discount. If your
permesso di soggiorno expires when you are in Israel, you are sug-
gested not to book a flight that will have to stop in another country.
You can return to Rome with the receipt that you have applied for re-
newal.
Airport Security: Security regulations for flights to Israel are particularly
stringent at the airport in Rome, as well as in Jerusalem for any flight
out. Be sure that all your documents are in order. Do not accept any-
thing from a stranger for bringing into Israel or for bringing out of Israel.
It is necessary at all times when you travel from or to Italy to carry your
official permission of residency in Italy (permesso di soggiorno).
Arrival by Air: Getting out from Customs, go straight out through EXIT
2, on the right you will find the SHERUT/NESHER which is a round-the-
clock shuttle service Airport-Jerusalem-Airport, from door to door,
with a ten seats van, white-yellow. Ask for Jerusalem and give the ad-
dress: Paul Emile Botta 3 (next to King David Hotel). The cost is now
(March 2012) fixed at 65 NIS // 20 USD// 17 Euro; you can pay in any
of these three currencies. As the Biblical Institute is at the opposite
side of the entrance to the City from the airport, you will be most likely
6, H.U. P.B.I. Joint Program

the last passenger to step down in front of the gate. Ring and push to
enter the courtyard, and then ring at the door of the building.
You have to inform the administration of PBI Jerusalem ahead about
the date and the time of your arrival at the airport in order to prevent
any surprise to you and to the people in the house.

Arrival at the Biblical Institute: If you arrive at the Biblical Institute

between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. you will find the gate closed, unless
you have previously notified the Institute of your arrival. (Should you
arrive unexpectedly late you can call from the airport. The average
time for the trip from the airport to the Biblical Institute in Jerusalem
is one hour.) The gate is closed after 10:30 p.m. and no one will be
waiting for you unless you have notified the staff previously that you
are arriving after that hour.
Books: See Presentazione corsi e seminari 2017-18 for the books re-
quired. This booklet is published in May.

Useful Information:
Telephones: Each room has a telephone for internal and external calls.
External calls will be registered automatically and will appear on your
monthly bill. If you have a cell phone, it is easy to buy a Sim card of
Israel with prepaid charge and recharge.
Computer: There is a computer room with two computer for guests.
You can use laptop in your rooms with cables for connection and in the
library with wireless connection.
Printer: There are two Laser printers in the computer room. You may
bring your documents in USB to print.
Library: The library of PBI Jerusalem is well furnished for the courses
you are supposed to take during your term in Jerusalem. You will have
the key and you will know the regulations when you begin your life in
the house and you are kindly requested to respect these regulations in
order to protect the library for those who will come after you.
 H.U. P.B.I. Joint Program, 7

Some Useful Bookstores: The Akademon store at the Hebrew Univer-

sity (course books, notebooks, pens, paper, etc.--a large selection at
reasonable prices); Pomerantz Books (near Ben Yehuda Str.), Beeri
Str. 5 or Ludwig Mayer Books, Shlomzion Hamalka 4; the Bible Soci-
ety on Yafo Street.
Libraries: The Biblical Institute library is open twenty-four hours a day
for residents. Books required for courses are kept on reserve in the
library. Other books may be taken to your room. The Hebrew Union
College library is just around the corner. Elsewhere in Jerusalem, the
Hebrew University has an excellent main library, and a smaller branch
in the Rothberg School for Overseas Students. A specialized library of
Judaica is available at the Ratisbonne Center, about a ten-minute walk
from the Institute.

Life at the Biblical Institute in Jerusalem

You will live in a religious community, not a boarding house, surely not
a hotel. But dont be afraid: it is not a monastery. It is a fraternal life in
which you can practice fraternal love by being always mindful of and
careful for others, and sharing small services. You have the key to lock
your room, to open the gate and the house. The only common liturgical
celebration is Eucharist everyday at 7:00 p.m., in English. No need to
bring with you liturgical garments. Priests can celebrate any other time
in the house or at Holy Places according to your personal timetable.
Linen: The Institute provides sheets, pillows and pillow cases, towels,
blankets. Every Saturday you will receive clean linen for change. A lady
is taking care of washing them.
In winter, there is central heating in the house, not to give tropical
temperature, but enough for students from tropical countries to be
comfortable, on condition of wearing suitable winter clothes.
You have to take care of your own clothes. There are two washing ma-
chines and one drying machine at your disposition in the laundry room
with detergents and iron, without extra fee. The Mediterranean sun is
strong enough to dry your clothes, only for rainy days you should use
the drying machine.
8, H.U. P.B.I. Joint Program

Language: The official language of the house is English. Community

Life: Life at the Biblical Institute is enriched by being a religious com-
munity. Electricity: Israels current is 220 volts, 50 cycles. Since this is
the same as Italy, anything that works in Italy works in Israel. You need
a converter for a 3-pronged plug, which is better to buy before your
arrival in Israel.
Life in Israel: Dress: Dress in Israel is casual for classes and in the Bib-
lical Institute, and for most occasions in general. Plan on bringing both
summer and winter clothing, even if you arrive in September. Here is
a check-list of items which are useful, in addition to regular attire:
backpack for schooldays and excursions, sunglasses, hat for shading
neck and face, hiking shoes, bathing suit, wind breaker, sandals, walk-
ing shorts, umbrella or light raincoat or both. Medicine: Have a copy of
prescription for medicine when needed, as well as oculists prescrip-
tion for sunglasses. Most over-the-counter medication found in the
West is found in Israel. There is a good Pharmacy (Bella) near the
PBI. Public Transit: To reach Mount Scopus (where the Hebrew Univer-
sity campus is located) the best bus to get is number 19 or 34. Buy a
student-card (64 NIS 15 trips) for a discount. Post Office: The main
post office on Jafo Street is a ten-minute walk from the Institute. It will
accept parcels for mailing back to Rome. There is also a branch office
at the University. Security: Students should photocopy the information
page of their passport and carry it with them at all times. Sports Facil-
ities: There is a Center on Mount Scopus. The pool mentioned in the
Sports Facilities of the Hebrew University is on the Givat Ram Cam-
pus, at the other end of bus line 9, very far away. Some hotels will al-
low outsiders to use their pools for a price. Five minutes walk from the
Biblical Institute is the YMCA with an indoor pool, gym, etc. And Jeru-
salem is a paradise for joggers, if you like hills. Ashkelon and Tel Aviv
have public beaches with free showers and change rooms. Do not
swim alone in the Mediterranean Sea ! (deadly risk!).

Rome, March 2017