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Emergency Response Updates

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If you desire to contribute to JUC's operations as they have been impacted by the current conflict, please visit this page.

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17 October 2023

The JUC campus remains secure and the JUC administration continues to monitor the situation closely in light of the imminent ground invasion in Gaza. The current impact on our current programs remains as follows:

Long-Term Students 
In-person classes have resumed. JUC will continue to follow the guidelines as they are issued by the U.S. Embassy, U.S. State Department, and Israel's Home Front Command.

Short-Term Students 
The scheduled October Short-Term programs have been cancelled due to the logistical challenges caused by these unprecedented circumstances. Students registered for programs that are cancelled will have the option to defer their program to a later date or receive refunds. All programs in 2024 and onward are planned to proceed as scheduled.

Online Students 
Online classes will proceed as usual at the scheduled day and time, unless students hear otherwise from their instructors. The Life and Times of Paul Field Study will proceed as scheduled 02-09 December 2023. There are no changes to this field study.

13 October 2023

On Tuesday, 10 October, the situation began to relax ever so slightly in Jerusalem. The border with Gaza appeared secure, alerts of rocket fire in Jerusalem ceased, traffic began to increase, and JUC resumed academic courses. On Wednesday, JUC welcomed Dr. Jon Kaplan to campus to discuss the inner-workings of the Israel - Gaza conflict with our Long-Term students. The week has progressively felt more stable in Jerusalem, yet we stand watchful with reports of an imminent ground invasion in Gaza.

The JUC leadership remains vigilant and sober-minded as it concerns the realities surrounding us. Coordination of safety and emergency response protocols have been established from constant communication with local law enforcement authorities in Jerusalem, the Security Teams and persons working in the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. State Department, local media correspondents, our expert and native faculty, and other diplomatic agencies serving other countries.

Amidst this harsh conflict, the JUC staff, faculty, and students bear heavy hearts over the violence and loss that has accompanied this time. With sadness, we also prepare for a shift on campus as some Long-Term students return to their home countries to complete their semester studies remotely.

As I meet daily with our students and staff, I have reflected on two Bible passages in particular. The first is applicable to our context as the prophet Habakkuk wrote these words in part of his “prayer journal with God.” Habakkuk is living in Jerusalem during a time when war looms in the distant horizon as the Babylonians are making their way south. After wrestling with God, expressing his frustration, and hearing from God a word for what is to come, Habakkuk concludes with the following words: “The LORD God is my strength, He makes my feet like the feet of a deer enabling me to walk in the high places.”

You might know what the Ibex deer looks like prancing along the most difficult terrain imaginable in the wilderness. So, too, can our God—our strength—make our feet in times of trouble. May we remember that we serve and worship a God who makes our feet swift with wisdom to traverse the challenging road ahead. The challenging road of distance learning. The challenging road of a semester interrupted. The challenging road of studying with war in the background.

The second passage continues to bring me peace as we develop plans for the future and pray that God continues to give us wisdom and intel along the way. The writer of Proverbs states in 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” We have planned and prepared for the situation we are in, and we trust that God will establish our steps just as he steadies and establishes the feet of the deer in the highlands of the Negev.

Oliver Hersey
President
Jerusalem University College

09 October 2023

The conflict in Israel continues and the situation remains fluid. All of our Long-Term students are safe, and the JUC campus remains secure. We are monitoring the situation closely, and we continue to receive real-time security information from the U.S. Embassy and other trusted sources. The Fall 2023 programming and field studies will be adjusted as needed with priority placed on student safety. If you are a Long-Term, Short-Term, or Online student, please see your notification below:

Long-Term Students 
Classes at the beginning of this week will be held online in accordance with Israel’s Home Front Command guidelines. We will continue to follow these guidelines as they are issued. Should students desire or need to return home prior to the end of the semester, our faculty will ensure that they are able to complete their course requirements. Students who remain in the land for the continuation of their program can be reassured that JUC staff will work to maintain a calm and steady environment where students can continue working on their graduate degrees or study abroad programs. JUC will remain flexible in course scheduling and field studies in light of the unknown circumstances caused by the conflict.  

Short-Term Students 
The scheduled October Short-Term programs have been cancelled due to the logistical challenges caused by these unprecedented circumstances. We share in the disappointment that this cancellation causes, but we feel this decision is in the best interest of those involved as nearly the entire Short-Term program is out in the field. To those who are impacted by this situation, JUC will issue further information about how to proceed. Students will have the option to defer their program to a later date. All programs in 2024 and onward are planned to proceed as scheduled.

Online Students 
Classes will proceed as usual at the scheduled day and time, unless students hear otherwise from their instructors. 
The Life and Times of Paul Field Study will proceed as scheduled 02-09 December 2023. There are no changes to this field study.

07 October 2023

Conflict has resumed between Gaza and Israel. Early Saturday morning (local Jerusalem time), Gaza fired a barrage of rockets toward Tel Aviv and other cities in the southern part of Israel. Jerusalem was also targeted.

For those who are currently enrolled in JUC Long-Term in-residence, online, or upcoming Short-Term programs, please be assured that we will keep you informed about the matter as we continue to gain more insight into the situation on the ground here in Israel. At this time, there are no changes to your program.

Israel has responded with heavy air strikes, and Gaza has boasted about militants infiltrating Israel. We know this is true to a degree based on reports of damage and death in the localized areas surrounding Gaza.

The mood on campus among our Long-Term students and staff remains steady and content. The campus is secure, and safety measures are in place. We also remain in constant contact with our security advisors serving in the U.S. Embassy located in Jerusalem. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at info@juc.edu. The U.S. Embassy website will also provide updates and alerts for your awareness. Please join me in praying for peace in this land and for God’s protective hand to remain upon JUC. Thank you for praying for us.

Oliver Hersey
President
Jerusalem University College

06 June 2023

Israel's Ministry of Health has officially eliminated all Covid-19 restrictions for foreigners entering the country, including proof of health insurance coverage for Covid-19. Travelers are no longer required to bring this documentation with them.