Three-Month Fall
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- September 5th – December 4th, 2027
The Three-Month sabbatical program enables the participants the time needed for a more in-depth study of the various topics mentioned in the Tantur Experience as more classroom time is given to each topic.
Program
Spend three transformative months living and learning in the heart of Jerusalem at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute. This immersive sabbatical takes you far beyond the typical pilgrimage, weaving together in-depth study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with hands-on encounters across the Holy Land, from the ancient stones of Bethlehem and the shores of the Sea of Galilee to Petra, the Negev desert, and the Old City's four quarters. You'll sit with local scholars, visit the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and worship alongside diverse Christian communities, all while building lasting bonds with a small international group of fellow participants.
The program balances rich intellectual engagement with genuine rest, including guided Bible study weeks and, for those who stay the full course, an eight-day Ignatian silent retreat to close the journey in quiet reflection.
Toward the end of the course, a free week, with no lectures or trips organized, gives participants space to revisit favorite sites, arrange their own excursions, or simply stay at Tantur to rest; an established and valued feature of this longer program, it leaves room to follow your own interests through reading, prayer, and visits to places outside the curriculum. It's a rare chance to encounter the land where these three great traditions meet, not as a tourist, but as a student, pilgrim, and witness.
Click here to view the Three-Month sample itinerary.
Costs
Program fees include your room, all meals (including on overnight trips), all lectures and excursions. There is no price reduction for missed meals, although simple packed lunches/dinners can be made in such cases.
2025-2026 program fees
Please note all prices are in US Dollars (USD)
- Single room (with private bathroom) at Tantur & single room on trips: $16,658
- Couple or roommates registering together, double OR twin room (with private bathroom) at Tantur and on trips: $13,427 (price per person)
Apartments are non available for CEP Participants.
The first and last days of this program are meant to be travel days for arrivals or departures. If you wish to arrive earlier or depart later than these transitional days, you may do so, space permitting, for an additional per-day fee. Our Reservations Office will endeavor to keep visitors in the same room throughout their stay. If you wish to extend your stay before and/or after your program, please contact Program Director, Nizar Halloun as soon as possible after acceptance to the program.
You will have some free time to explore the region at your own cost. Please budget for these opportunities and other personal expenses accordingly. Each participant should also have adequate medical insurance during their stay.
Payment
Payment is due upon arrival for a program. Further payment details will be sent to you when we have received your application.
Payment options are as follows:
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard (American Express and Diners Club are not accepted)
- Wire transfers: payment should be made to the University of Notre Dame and clearly indicate the name and/or organization of the sending party for tracking and accounting purposes. Do not address the wire transfer to Tantur Ecumenical Institute. Payment will normally take 5 to 10 working days. Transfer fees are the responsibility of the party issuing payment.
Please note: we can no longer accept payments by cash or check.
Application
There is no deadline for applications, but we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Each application will be considered until a program is full, and may be placed on a waiting list thereafter.
*A special note on visas: depending on your citizenship, you may need an advance Israeli visa to travel to Jerusalem. Please apply at least 90 days prior to the start of the program as this process can be lengthy, especially in late summer or early fall. For information on applying for a visa, please check with the Israeli embassy or consulate in your country of citizenship.
Important notice
Six-Week and Three-Month program participants will have a 5-day trip to Jordan which grants automatic renewal of 3-month visa upon re-entry. Citizens from the EU, United States, Canada and Australia do not need a visa to enter Israel. However, if you are a citizen of any other country (and you do not have dual citizenship with one of the above countries), you must apply to your local Israeli consulate to obtain a multiple entry visa prior to your visit.