BCI is an immersive summer experience for young adults ages 20–29. Participants must commit to the full session.

No Hebrew or specific academic background is required—just curiosity and an open mind.

The program is conducted in English, welcomes international applicants (with possible travel scholarships), and even offers transferable college credit for those who complete the academic components.

Foundational Jewish Study: Starting with the basics, you’ll learn to navigate Jewish texts, prayer, and diverse practices with confidence—and discover how your personal beliefs can become a lifelong roadmap to help you make major decisions, from career transitions to social advocacy.

Creative Bravery: Through creative arts like Israeli folk dancing, drum circles, theater, photography, and more, you’ll build the confidence to take risks and “fail” as you explore new skills—relearning what it means to be a novice and try again.

Leadership Development & Community Building: Hands-on workshops around core leadership and community-building skills—like building trust in group settings, speaking with confidence, and managing diverse perspectives—combine with BCI’s daily communal culture to create an immersive and deeply informative environment where you’re constantly practicing what you learn each day.

Mentorship: After the experience, you’ll be paired with a personal mentor who understands you and your goals and will help you reach them, keeping you grounded in the skills you learned while at BCI.

Access to Seed Grants: All BCIers have the option to apply for a seed grant to help launch their own community program.

BCI ​​is grounded in core Jewish values that shape both its learning and its community experience.

The program emphasizes Torah and lifelong learning (Talmud Torah), encouraging thoughtful engagement with Jewish texts and big questions. It embraces machloket l’shem shamayim, the idea of respectful disagreement for the sake of growth, creating space for open dialogue and diverse perspectives.

BCI fosters kehillah, or intentional community, where participants support one another and build meaningful relationships. It also reflects tzelem Elohim, the belief that every person is created in the divine image, by honoring each individual’s voice and experience.

Creativity and joy are central as well, connecting to simcha, the value of celebrating life and Jewish expression through art, music, and shared ritual.

​​You wake up to the sounds of nature and the smell of fresh breakfast coming from the dining hall.

Morning

A warm check-in, where everyone shares a little, laughs a little, and sets the tone for the day. Soon it’s time for Avodah, hands-on community work that might have you digging in the garden, caring for animals, or sprucing up the campus grounds.

Next comes Rikud and Shira, or Israeli dance and song. Even if you’ve never danced a step in your life, the energy is contagious.

Afterwards, settle into small-group learning and conversation, exploring Jewish texts, philosophy, ethics, and contemporary questions. These sessions spark curiosity, laughter, and sometimes even surprise insights about yourself and the world.

Afternoon

Lunch is a lively pause filled with chatter, jokes, and the chance to make new friends. In the early afternoon, you get unstructured time: maybe a hike through the scenic campus, a quick swim, a game of volleyball, or just chilling with friends under a tree.

Later, creativity takes center stage in art, theater, music, or writing workshops led by talented artists-in-residence. You experiment, create, and share your projects, adding your own flavor to the community.

Evening

“Big Thoughts – Small Bites” brings guest speakers, performances, or intimate discussions that leave you thinking long after the session ends. Dinner might be followed by a campfire, music, or reflection circles where stories, laughter, and sparks of inspiration flow freely.

Close

Finally, Rad Hayom wraps the day with a sense of closure, leaving you feeling grounded and more connected with your fellow BCIers.

At BCI, safety and well-being are our top priorities. Participants stay on campus for the full program to maintain a focused, supportive community.

Dietary needs like allergies, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free are accommodated, and the campus is smoke-free.

Phones and devices are restricted during structured activities to help everyone stay present, with wifi available in central areas.

AJU also follows campus safety procedures, including emergency preparedness, health, and security measures, so you can fully engage in learning, creativity, and community with peace of mind.