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OUR HISTORY Machon Yaakov was founded in 2005 by Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld (Dean) and
 Rabbi Avraham Yitzchok Jacobs (Director). Machon Yaakov has it roots in a sister institution, Machon Shlomo (also located in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem), which enjoys a 25-year reputation for excellence in nurturing top students. Rabbi Gershenfeld has been deeply involved with Machon Shlomo since its inception, and continues to serve as dean of that institution as well. About 10 years ago, it became clear that Machon Shlomo would no longer be able to handle the many high-quality applications it was receiving and yet stay true to its mission to remain small, high-quality and intensive, Rabbi Gershenfeld asked Rabbi Jacobs - a graduate of Machon Shlomo, but by then a senior Wall Street executive - to begin making preparations for another program that would in effect double Machon Shlomo's capacity without compromising its standards. The result was Machon Yaakov, which opened its doors in September 2005.
OUR STUDENTSMachon Yaakov limits its overall size to 30-35 students spread between the 1st and 2nd year programs.
 Students are chosen based upon a strong desire and ability to learn and grow intellectually, spiritually and as individuals. First-year program admissions are limited to 20 students annually.  Our typical student shows strong character, a love for growth, intellectual honesty and curiosity, an ability to work hard and focus, and some natural leadership ability.
For the 2006-07 academic year, our students come from countries as diverse as the U.S., Canada, Venezuela, Russia, Germany, Australia and Hungary (with the largest percentage from North America). All students are fluent in English - the language in which all classes are conducted.  Texts are studied in the original Hebrew and Aramaic. Yet, many of our students come in with little or no knowledge of Hebrew (a few come in with stronger backgrounds). An ulpan is provided to bolster Hebrew vocabulary and structure, and most students find themselves making almost amazing progress reading text with a matter of months if not weeks due to the intensity of the experience.
Average student age is about 24, with target ranges from 20-30 (and exceptions made on an individual basis). Machon Yaakov students represent such universities as Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, the London School of Economics, UCLA and King's College (London). Their backgrounds run the gamut from business, finance and consulting to medicine, the arts (with several accomplished musicians and actors) and sports. Some come with professional experience, while others come straight from college or graduate school (or amidst a college program having received a deferral).
OUR BUILDING Machon Yaakov moved into its new building in September 2006. The "villa" is a fully refurbished, stand-alone,
 5-story building in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood. The building lies at the edge of the Jerusalem forest and has expansive and unobstructed views of the forest, valley, and outlying hills toward the North. It contains classrooms, offices, 3 floors of dormitory rooms, a large and well-lighted beit midrash (study hall), dining room/kitchen facilities and a laundry room.
 In addition, Machon Yaakov has an outdoor half-basketball court, several terraces, a gym and a student lounge (the latter housing wireless internet access and internet phones for calling the US).
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