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Monday 09:00 - 17:30 Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30 Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30 Thursday 09:00 - 17:30 Friday 09:00 - 17:30 Sunday 09:00 - 17:30

University of the Holy Land, Jerusalem (2026)

Few places in the world can compare with the Holy Land as an ideal setting in which to study the Bible and the backgrounds of early Christianity. This is the land in which the Church was born and its topography and climate have remained nearly unchanged since Bible days. Though the Holy Land today is characterized by a multi-cultural, complex society, insights into the agrarian world of the Biblic

al drama can still be gained from observing traditional village and nomadic life. In addition, Jerusalem serves as a hub for Christian and Jewish scholars of international stature who live, work, study, and teach here. The impact of study in the land of the Bible will remain with dedicated students of the Bible throughout their lives. The programs offered by the University of the Holy Land (UHL) endeavor to make the most of these unique opportunities. Specialized instruction in the Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient documents, palaeography, ancient languages, archaeology, the anthropology of Biblical societies, and the history and phenomenology of pilgrimage offer the student a three-dimensional look into the world of the patriarchs, the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles. In addition, UHL's involvement in various archaeological and reconstruction projects provides the student the opportunity of a hands-on experience "in the field" as well. We invite you to seriously consider the possibility of embarking on a life-changing journey to the land of the Bible, the land of your forefathers. Come join us at UHL where the land of the Bible is truly our classroom.

04/02/2026

It is with great sadness that we bring the news that Dr. Claire Pfann has passed away at the age of 72. She died peacefully in her sleep after a prolonged fight with cancer. Both personally and academically she has had a lasting impact on the lives of all who knew her.

Claire cofounded the University of the Holy Land with her late husband Stephen Sr. in 1986. Her compassion and wisdom served as the cornerstone on which UHL’s vision for international Christian higher education was built and continues to this day. As the Academic Dean, she helped develop and implement the school’s unique curriculum that immerses international Christian students in the original context of the Bible.

A skilled teacher and scholar, she was well known for her insightful teaching of topics such as daily life in the Second Temple Period, as well as Johannine and Pauline literature. She was able to provide these insights in the classroom, on field trips, online and in countless documentaries and interviews that truly blessed the body of Christ around the world.

In order to preserve this legacy and impact, the board of UHL is diligently working to chart a course for the school’s future. Stephen Sr. and Claire’s son, Stephen Pfann Jr., is assisting in this goal by continuing to fulfill the administrative role of Director of UHL during this time of transition. More details to come.

The Pfann family appreciates everyone’s support and prayers as they process this loss. They are currently organizing a memorial service with details to be announced soon. For those inclined, you are invited to honor Dr. Claire Pfann’s memory by supporting the school in her name (https://www.uhl.ac/home/give).

While there is comfort that Claire is no longer suffering and is reunited in heaven with Stephen Sr. (who passed away in October), her absence is felt by all. We trust in the Lord to bring comfort to her family, the UHL community and all those impacted by her life.

Thank you each of you for your continued prayerful support and love during this time.

Sincerely,
Board of Directors
The University of the Holy

10/01/2026

Dear Friends of the University of the Holy Land,

Firstly, I want to thank you all for your prayers and support during this challenging time. Many of you have sent generous donations to aid the school in its transition, for which we are deeply grateful.

I am writing with an urgent but hope-filled update.

As many of you know, over the past two years, UHL has faced extraordinary pressures. The War in Gaza, beginning October 7, 2023, caused enrollment and program income to drop sharply. These challenges were compounded by the sudden passing of our Founder, Dr. Stephen Pfann, on October 1, 2025, followed by the rapid decline in health of his wife and co-founder, Dr. Claire Pfann, in the weeks that followed. These events left UHL vulnerable at a critical moment.

The good news is that a respected institution who shares our vision for faithful Christian higher education in Jerusalem is prepared to carry UHL forward. They have expressed that they are eager to assume academic leadership of the University of the Holy Land beginning at the end of February 2026 to help ensure continuity of the academic year and steward UHL moving into the next season. We are incredibly grateful for their kind consideration.

The challenge before us is that before this transition can take place, UHL must resolve outstanding financial obligations totaling $155,000. This represents only what is required to honor commitments and bridge UHL to this God-provided transition:

* January–February operating costs for UHL
* December payroll for Jerusalem-based staff
* Faculty compensation for Fall/Winter courses
* Two required student refunds
* Smaller miscellaneous expenses

This amount is after the Pfann family has sacrificially forgiven over $115,000 owed to Dr. Claire Pfann by UHL, choosing mission over repayment so this transition can proceed as cleanly and honorably as possible.

We are praying that God will lead each of us to the right people: alumni who know the impact of UHL firsthand as well as those who believe in the vision of UHL. We pray for the right people and resources to help secure this final step forward into a new season.

Would you prayerfully consider how and if the Lord is leading you to help UHL in this delicate moment of transition?

* If you have advice or contacts that could help UHL meet its funding needs we would be very interested if you could help us make those connections. Please reach out to us at: [email protected]
* If you can support the school directly through your giving, as so many of you already have, this will aid in continuing the academic vision the Lord established through Stephen and Claire Pfann 40 years ago.
* If you know other people who would be honored to be part of helping UHL transition to the next season, please pass this email on to them!

Every gift, large or small, directly supports the continuation of UHL and paves the way for the partner academic institution to receive it with wide open arms.

Thank you for your prayer, support, and love!

With gratitude and faith,

Nicholas Boyer

The University of the Holy Land

Board of Directors

You donations can also be made via Stripe or PayPal through the link UHL's giving page: https://www.uhl.ac/home/give

17/10/2025

Dear UHL family,

It is with great sadness that we bring the news of Dr. Stephen Pfann’s passing at the age of 73. He died peacefully in his sleep after a pronounced decline in his health due to chronic age-related struggles that he had experienced for a number of years. His indelible legacy and presence in all of our lives and his loss have left a profound impact.

Dr. Pfann cofounded the University of the Holy Land with his wife Claire in 1986. Together they developed a unique and compelling vision for international Christian education that continues to have great influence in shaping people’s lives and faith. Fields of particular note that Dr. Pfann helped to pioneer were Land of Israel studies and the history of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The entire curriculum of the school was designed to focus on subjects related to the Bible that can best be studied in the Holy Land itself taught by the finest Christian and Jewish scholars. Thanks to the development of online learning, Christians around the world are now having their lives enriched by this curriculum.

In order to ensure and preserve this legacy, the UHL Board of Directors has nominated Dr. Claire Pfann to serve in the role of President as we navigate and secure the future of the school. Stephen and Claire’s son, Stephen Pfann, Jr., will assist in this goal by continuing to fulfill the administrative role of Director of UHL for the near future.

The Pfann family appreciates everyone’s support and prayer as they process this loss. Claire does ask that for those inclined, rather than sending flowers or other customary gifts, donations be made to the school in order to preserve Dr. Stephen Pfann’s legacy.

Donations can be made at the following link: https://www.uhl.ac/home/give

Thank you each of you for your prayerful support and love over all these years.

Sincerely,
Board of Directors
The University of the Holy Land

16/08/2025

We are happy to announce the launch of “Loaves and Fishes,” a series of online courses designed to bring UHL’s signature Biblical scholarship to those outside of the Holy Land. Its aim is to "provide food for the heart and mind in our very busy lives".

These courses are ideal for lifelong learners who are hungry and thirsty to find out more about the world of the Bible in an approachable format.

The Fall 2025 Online Course Offerings and Instructors:
• Jewish Roots of Christianity / Noel Rabinowitz, Ph.D.
• Introducing Biblical Hebrew / Michael Stover, M.A.
• Warfare 101: How to Fight in the Spirit / Kathleen Arai, Ph.D.

Designed for enrichment and ease of access, "Loaves and Fishes" courses are shorter in duration than semester-long credit courses and do not have the pressures of exam or paper writing. By extension they are not offered for academic credit.

If this sounds like it would be of benefit to you or others, please consider one these courses at the link below. As Jesus said to His disciples, “I have food to eat that you do not know of … “ His capacity to nourish us is fathomless.

Click here to find out more and sign up: https://www.uhl.ac/home/academic-programs/loaves-and-fishes

Address

Jerusalem

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:30
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:30
Thursday	09:00 - 17:30
Friday	09:00 - 17:30
Sunday	09:00 - 17:30

Website

http://www.uhl.ac/

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