Ulpan Etzion Jerusalem
History of ulpan
Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem, the first of the school for teaching Hebrew in the Land of Israel after the establishment of the state, has celebrated the anniversary of its founding every month of Elul since 1949.
The term “ulpan” was borrowed from Jewish sources (Jerusalem Talmud, Tractate Peah) and was first used in the name of an educational institution by its first director, Mordechai Kamrat. In doing so, he revived the Talmudic tradition of Beit Ulpan. In Modern Hebrew, the word ulpan also came to refer to a studio (by analogy with foreign terminology), such as in “broadcasting ulpan” — meaning a radio or television studio. However, Ulpan Etzion was the very first ulpan dedicated to Hebrew instruction in the State of Israel.
1949
Ulpan Etzion was founded on September 21, 1949, in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem, through the initiative of the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Education.
The founding of the ulpan was dedicated to the memory of Gush Etzion and those who fell in the War of Independence. It was named after Nahum Levin, the late Director of the Department of Culture of the State of Israel and the initiator of the ulpan’s creation.
In its early years, the ulpan was located in the former residence of British officers (originally a Carmelite monastery) on Gad Street. Before being renovated, the building served as an immigrant absorption center run by the Jewish Agency and was called Beit Olim Etzion, named in honor of the Gush Etzion bloc — which fell during the War of Independence and was later liberated in the Six-Day War.
Over time, Ulpan Etzion Jerusalem became a model and foundation for establishing a network of ulpanim across the country under the auspices of the Jewish Agency. It became the first institution to officially bear the name ulpan, and the home to all future ulpanim.
The President of Israel and an advisory board under his patronage once held board meetings at the ulpan. All of this took place during a time of massive waves of Jewish immigration.
Among the notable alumni of the ulpan are:
– Ephraim Kishon – satirical writer (was in the first semester)
– Avital Sharansky – wife of Natan Sharansky
– Mark Regev – Ambassador of Israel to the UK
– Josh Schwartz – Chairman of the Board of Government Relations and Secretary General of the Jewish Agency for Israel
– Belaynesh Zevadia – Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia
– Professor Hans Klinghoffer – scientist – lawyer
– Arthur Lurie – Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
– Professors of Near Eastern archeology
– Christian priests and clergy
Among the esteemed teachers of the ulpan were:
– Professor Yitzhak Livni – linguist and Hebrew instructor to Ephraim Kishon
– Poet Noah Stern
– Poet Yaakov David Kamzon
– And many other distinguished educators.
2025
Today’s Ulpan Etzion Jerusalem is not just a place to study Hebrew — it’s a launchpad for a new life in Israel. The ulpan hosts job fairs, marathons and races, memorial days, and celebrations of major Jewish holidays. Students volunteer to support Israeli soldiers and participate in many meaningful social and cultural initiatives.
Every year, it welcomes hundreds of new immigrants from dozens of countries, creating a unique multicultural community. Participants not only study the Hebrew language intensively with experienced teachers, but also immerse themselves in Israeli culture, history, and daily life.
In 2024, Ulpan Etzion celebrated its 75th anniversary, and the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, delivered a congratulatory speech at the event.