Student Manuals »
Short-Term Student Manual »
Student Life »
Student Dress
Student Dress and Modesty
While many Israelis are very informal in dress, we also live among more conservative Muslim, Orthodox Jewish, and Christian communities. This cultural setting requires the sensitivity of our students, particularly female students. In many places in the Middle East, people believe that there is a direct connection between the way that a woman dresses and what she is communicating about her sexual availability, and they see no problem in acting accordingly. Although we do not agree with this perspective, we must acknowledge it for the sake of personal safety.
Because we seek to witness to a Christian lifestyle which displays sensitivity to the variety of cultural backgrounds of Jerusalem and those who visit or work on our campus, and because modest dress, in this culture, is directly related to personal safety issues, students should abide by the following:
- Short shorts and short skirts are not allowed either on campus (in public areas) or off campus. Shorts and skirts should be mid-thigh or longer. When visiting more conservative or orthodox neighborhoods (Arab, Jewish, or Christian), we recommend you wear pants or skirts past the knees or longer.
- When in the Old City, we recommend both men and women not wear shorts.
- Walking shorts are allowed on campus and on certain field trips but need to be at least mid-thigh in length.
- Please do not wear low-cut necklines or midriffs.
- When in and near East Jerusalem and orthodox neighborhoods of West Jerusalem, we recommend women wear tops with elbow-length sleeves.
- Men should not go without shirts unless swimming.
- Bare feet are not allowed in indoor, public areas of the campus or in class.
- It is necessary that students wear a “modesty kit” in order to visit certain holy sites (e.g. the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of the Nativity, and the Temple Mount), areas (e.g. Mea Shearim) or countries (Jordan). A “modesty kit” is clothing that covers your shoulders and your legs. Students who do not wear a modesty kit will not be allowed to enter holy sites.
Please note that if your dress is considered improper, you will be reminded of this by the appropriate staff. Continued disregard of dress code regulations will result in disciplinary measures.