The Ascent Institute is the most established Jewish learning and retreat center in Tzfat, operating since 1983. Located on HaAri Street on the edge of the Old City, Ascent offers daily classes on Kabbalah, Chassidic thought, Jewish meditation, Torah portion of the week, practical observance, the Jewish view of science, women in Judaism, and much more — all in English. Programs are open to Jewish visitors of any background, from complete beginners to those with advanced background. Ascent also provides Shabbat hospitality with local families and runs weekend and holiday seminars. Its library hosts a staff rabbi available for one-on-one questions. Pre-corona, over 60,000 visitors per year participated in Ascent programming.