Israel Programs WikiYeshiva
ישיבה
A school for the study of Torah and Jewish religious texts, traditionally for men.
What it means
A yeshiva is an institution dedicated to the study of Torah and Jewish religious texts, especially Talmud, generally through chavruta (paired study) alongside lectures from a rabbi or senior teacher. Israel hosts many yeshivas spanning a wide range of religious outlook, study intensity, and student age. "Yeshiva" as commonly used by English-speaking gap-year students usually refers to a post-high-school program built for that age group specifically, distinct from a full-time adult yeshiva (a "yeshiva gevoha").
Who it's for
Post-high-school yeshiva programs are aimed at religiously observant young men (the women's equivalent is usually called a seminary or midrasha -- see those entries) looking to deepen their Torah study for a gap year, a semester, or longer, often before or alongside college. Programs range from those geared toward students with a strong existing textual background to those built for students newer to intensive Jewish study.
Common variations
Yeshivas vary along several axes: hesder yeshivas add IDF service to the track (see the hesder entry); some yeshivas emphasize Israeli integration and Hebrew immersion while others teach primarily in English; and religious orientation ranges from Haredi to religious-Zionist to more pluralistic or open Orthodox. Length also varies -- some programs run a single semester, others a full year, and some offer a second year (see shana bet).