Community Outreach at Bar-Ilan University

Bar-Ilan University is deeply rooted in the belief that academia should serve society. Inspired by the principle of “love your neighbor as yourself,” the university fosters social involvement, volunteering, and community-based learning. From therapeutic clinics and inclusive education to legal aid and science enrichment, Bar-Ilan’s community outreach programs extend across Israel—making a lasting impact on lives far beyond campus.

How Does Bar-Ilan University Promote Social Responsibility?

The university supports dozens of community outreach initiatives, led by both faculty and students. These programs focus on:

Providing accessible, low-cost services to the public
Empowering underserved populations
Offering students hands-on, socially meaningful experience
Encouraging active participation in shaping a better Israeli society

Each program is designed to bridge the gap between knowledge and action, academia and community.

What Clinics Does Bar-Ilan Operate for the Public?

Bar-Ilan runs a network of university-based clinics offering psychological, legal, social, and vision services—often free or at a symbolic fee.

Psychology Clinic

Located in the Department of Psychology
Offers evidence-based therapy for individuals, couples, and families
Collaborates with Israel’s Ministry of Defense to support veterans with traumatic brain injuries at the TBI Rehab Center in Jaffa

Clinics at the Weisfeld School of Social Work

Operated by graduate students under expert supervision, these clinics provide essential therapeutic services:

Sex Therapy Clinic – Assists individuals and couples with sexual well-being
Sex Therapy for People with Special Needs – Promotes intimacy and quality of life in inclusive contexts
Couples and Family Therapy Clinic – Helps navigate marital, parenting, and relational challenges
Play Therapy Clinic – Uses play-based techniques for children ages 2–10 experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties

The school also provides academic guidance to nine rehabilitation-occupational clubs for disabled IDF veterans nationwide.

Law Clinics

Through eight legal clinics, third-year law students—together with professional attorneys—offer free legal aid in:

Disability rights
Women's family rights
Environmental justice
Minority equality
Civil law
Mediation and dispute resolution
Legislative advocacy for marginalized populations

These clinics combine social service with legal reform.

Vision and Optometry Clinics

At the School of Optometry and Vision Science:

Free vision tests are offered to the general public
Specialized tests for low vision and visual impairments are available
Fourth-year students administer tests under expert supervision
Glasses, contact lenses, and accessories are available at discounted prices

How Does Bar-Ilan Support Inclusive Education?

Bar-Ilan is home to pioneering programs that promote educational accessibility and empowerment, including:

The Otzmot (“Empowerment”) Program

Integrates adults with intellectual disabilities into academic life
Offers tailored courses across three learning levels
Provides study strategies, academic mentoring, and peer support
Enhances self-confidence, life quality, and social inclusion

The Baker Center (School of Education)

Founded by Israel Prize laureate Prof. Pnina Klein
Focuses on early childhood education and care
Offers guidance for caregivers, daycare providers, and teachers
Emphasizes the development of gifted children, early intervention, and quality educational environments

The Hadad Center

Offers diagnostic and remedial support for students with learning disabilities
Services include:
- Didactic and psycho-didactic testing (Hebrew and English)
- Remedial instruction and learning strategy courses
- Language programs for children with dyslexia

What Outreach Programs Are Offered Beyond the Clinics?

Teddy Bear Hospital – Faculty of Medicine

At Bar-Ilan’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee:

Medical students run an annual event introducing young children to the world of healthcare through play-based simulations
Children learn what happens in clinics and hospitals—reducing fear and anxiety about medical treatment
The faculty also organizes concerts for the general public to build community engagement

Translation in the Community

This course provides real-world language support for:

New immigrants
Foreign workers
Minority groups
Tourists in crisis

By bridging communication gaps, students help prevent critical misunderstandings—sometimes even saving lives.

Dialogue and Conflict Resolution

Organized by the Dean of Students, this university-wide program:

Encourages students to engage in deep, respectful conversations around Israel’s social divides
Promotes dialogue across political, religious, and cultural lines
Fosters social leadership, empathy, and civic responsibility

How Does Bar-Ilan Engage with Youth and the Next Generation?

Bar-Ilan’s Youth Center nurtures curiosity and love of science in motivated school pupils across Israel.

Programs include:

Enrichment courses in scientific fields
Exposure to academic research environments
Summer science camps and workshops for students in grades 4–12
Year-round classes on campus that spark early academic ambition

These programs make the world of science accessible, exciting, and hands-on for Israel’s future thinkers.

Why Is Bar-Ilan a Leader in Community Outreach in Israel?

Because we don’t just educate for degrees, we educate for impact.

At Bar-Ilan University, community outreach isn’t an add-on—it’s part of our academic DNA. Through therapeutic services, legal support, inclusive education, and public engagement, we connect classrooms to communities and students to purpose.

Whether you’re a student looking to make a difference, a family in need of support, or a member of the public curious about what a university can do for society. Bar-Ilan is where knowledge meets kindness.