Tivnu FAQs

You’ll live in one of Tivnu’s communal homes in Portland, Oregon—your home base for the year. Each house (we call each one a bayit, the Hebrew word for home) includes shared living spaces and a well-stocked kitchen. Typically, people have one roommate per room. Both houses are in a vibrant, walkable neighborhood near parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. Housing, utilities, and food are all included in your tuition.

Living together is a big part of what makes this a meaningful and connected gap year experience. We work hard to be a safe home base for all our participants. This includes all our LGBTQIA+ participants, Jews of color, Jews from interfaith families, and all participants from minority or underrepresented communities in the Jewish world.

No car needed! We make sure participants can easily get to their internships, workshops, and events. Tivnu provides transportation for group programming, and Portland has excellent public transit and bike infrastructure. It’s a great city to explore during your gap year.
We ask that participants leave their cars at home and take advantage of all Portland has to offer.

You’ll cook for yourself—and with your housemates. Tivnu provides a weekly grocery budget for the group, covering individual meals and several communal dinners each week. Some participants love to cook; others learn as they go. We also bring in guest chefs and offer occasional workshops.

It’s not just about food—it’s about building community. Sharing meals (especially on Shabbat) is one of the many ways Tivnu’s Jewish gap year helps participants form strong connections.

Yes. We want everyone to feel comfortable and nourished. Whether you have allergies, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or observe specific food traditions, our communal kitchens are designed to meet a wide range of needs.

Tivnu’s kitchens also follow a standard of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws), which allows participants from different Jewish backgrounds to eat together. As a pluralistic Jewish gap year program, we work hard to make shared space feel inclusive and welcoming.

Yes! No experience is required.  AND no construction is required for participants who want to focus on other kinds of internships and work. Many participants do a mixture of both. Our construction coach works with each participant at their level—whether you're holding a power tool for the first time or already love building things. You’ll gain hands-on skills while working with local organizations that address housing access and homelessness in Portland and in America more broadly.

It’s one of the many ways this gap year in America blends direct service with personal growth.

Education at Tivnu happens in living rooms, workplaces, and community spaces—not in classrooms. You’ll learn from local activists, scholars, and people directly affected by the issues you care about. Our program explores how Jewish values intersect with today’s most pressing social justice questions.

This Jewish gap year offers real-world learning that’s rooted in community and action. You’ll also learn about the history of the housing crisis in America and how it intersects with issues of racism, immigration, labor rights, the environment, and much more.

Most evenings and weekends are yours to rest, explore, or connect with friends. Sometimes we’ll have group hikes, arts events, or outings around Portland. We believe downtime is an important part of a healthy and balanced gap year.

Yes. Colleges increasingly value students who take intentional time between high school and college. Tivnu alumni often say they arrive on campus more confident, focused, and ready to engage. Our gap year gives you time to grow, reflect, and build skills—without falling behind. You learn more about who you are Jewishly. You’ll learn about pressing issues that affect communities across America. You’ll grow intellectually and personally.

You’ll be ahead in ways that matter.

If you want a gap year in America that’s grounded in local context and real relationships, Portland is the perfect setting. We’re rooted here. The Tivnu team has deep connections in Portland’s nonprofit and activist communities. This city’s challenges and creativity make it a powerful place to learn and serve. Portland is also close to stunning natural sites! Your gap year is all about the chance to get inspired. Seeing beautiful waterfalls, mountain tops, and rivers can help with that.

We welcome participants of all backgrounds. This is a Jewish gap year program, so we engage with Jewish texts, traditions, and values throughout the year. If you're open to participating and learning through a Jewish lens, we’re excited to have you with us.

We approach Judaism with curiosity and care. At Tivnu, you'll explore a range of Jewish experiences—from traditional rituals to creative celebrations. Shabbat is a weekly anchor: we gather to cook, reflect, sing, and unwind together. Holidays are marked with intention, and Jewish learning is part of our rhythm.

Whether you come with strong Jewish roots or are exploring for the first time, there’s space for you here.

Every Friday night, we pause the week. You and your housemates will prepare dinner, light candles, and share highlights and challenges. Sometimes there’s singing or study; sometimes there’s a themed dinner or even a mystery party. Saturdays are open—sleep in, hike, go to a synagogue.

We often end Shabbat with Havdalah, a favorite tradition for many Tivnu participants.

Yes. Each house has a live-in Resident Advisor (RA)—a recent college graduate trained in communal living and support. They’re there to help the group function smoothly, offer guidance, and make sure the bayit is a safe and welcoming space.

Costs vary depending on when in the year you apply. The earlier in the year in the better. Robust financial aid is available, and over a third of our participants receive assistance. We’re committed to making this Jewish gap year accessible to anyone who’s a good fit. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to talk about costs, including financial aid.

Our alumni attend a wide range of schools, including:

• Liberal Arts Colleges: Brandeis, Oberlin, Lewis & Clark, Muhlenberg
• National Universities: Brown, American, Harvard, Johns Hopkins
• State Schools: UCLA, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Pittsburgh, Florida State
• Technical & Specialized Schools: Cal Poly, Colorado School of Mines, Worcester Polytechnic

All participants and staff must be fully vaccinated, including up-to-date COVID-19 boosters. If you have a medical exemption, please reach out to discuss next steps.