IDC Herzliya Student Guide

Dear students,
Welcome to the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya.
IDC Herzliya is in the midst of its second decade of activity. Our path has not
been an easy one – we led an academic revolution in Israel. In doing so, we
did not seek government funding so that we would not be bound by the
limitations imposed by “national planning” and be able to act freely on behalf
of our students. At the same time, we created a non-profit organization that
contributes to the public welfare. Over the years we have encountered
hostility from the establishment more than once due to our innovative
approach and our departure from accepted norms. Our motto of liberty and
responsibility highlights our belief in the importance of taking responsibility
for one’s own personal advancement, as well as for the weak and for society
as a whole.
The leadership demonstrated by our students is the reward for our efforts.
Dozens of students’ initiatives have become IDC Herzliya treasures: the
IDC Entrepreneurship Club; Kol Kore (A Voice is Calling); the IDC
Berman-Lippa Family Foundation Debating Club; the sports teams; the
community service activities, the Ensamble project; in Herzliya’s Yad
Hatisha neighborhood; the Community Legal Assistance Program; the IDC
Kav Hatohar; the Keren Or project; the students’ newspaper; the performing
arts troupes; and more. The Student Union has been a training ground for
excellent leadership; as an apolitical organization it has contributed greatly
in recent years both in the area of mutual assistance and by improving
various aspects of campus life in cooperation with the IDC Herzliya
administration. Another initiative that demonstrates the spirit of IDC Herzliya
is the summer camp our psychology students organized in the Galilee for
children from the area within firing range of the Gaza Strip, including
volunteering to serve as counselors and obtaining all the resources needed.
That same spirit of contribution and initiative is alive and well today among
IDC Herzliya’s thousands of alumni. The student body hails from all parts of
Israel as well as from 60 countries around the globe and includes many
alumni of elite Israeli security units, members of the Israeli-Ethiopian
community, social activists from developing towns and underprivileged
areas, youths from abroad and many other sectors.
As the following pages demonstrate, in addition to the educational activities
offered by IDC Herzliya’s excellent schools, you can enjoy many programs
designed for your enrichment and pleasure, which at the same time aim to
benefit society.
I wish you a successful and enjoyable academic year.
Yours,
Prof. Uriel Reichman
President
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