As Ezra’s 8th grade Israel trip nears the end of its second week, this has been both a rewarding and challenging time to be here in Israel. Giving our students and their colleagues from our partner schools an authentic Israel experience has included the commemoration and celebration of Yom Hashoah last week and Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut this week. While our students have missed being at Ezra for these experiences, they have also gotten a glance into different parts of Israeli society and how it feels to be here during this time of year. While we are currently in the Northern Galilee and spent yesterday touring and hiking in the Golan Heights, I wanted to give our students the opportunity to share some highlights and takeaways of the trip. Meanwhile, I also want to express my sincere appreciation for our teachers back at Ezra who have put together meaningful programming and experiences and continue to provide creative ways for our students to connect to Israel, its culture, and its history. 

 

Natalya: I loved going to the Kotel (the Western/Wailing Wall) for the first time and seeing in person what I had learned so much about during my years at Ezra.

Avi: I enjoyed hiking down Mount Arbel, getting to see the views of the Kinneret and how green the surrounding countryside is.

Joel: I liked walking through Hezekiah’s Water Tunnels. It was fascinating to learn the history of the tunnels and to walk through the City of David. 

Zoe: It has been amazing to make new friends from the other Alliance school while traveling through Israel.

Eli: It was so much fun singing Hebrew songs while walking through Hezekia’s Water Tunnels under the City of David.

Mick: Singing and dancing with other Jews from around the world on Friday night at the Kotel was an incredible experience.

Shai: It has been wonderful to make new friends from other schools. Tzvat was really pretty and I loved the artwork. 

We are very much looking forward to our last Shabbat together in Israel this weekend in Hadera and a safe trip home. 

Wishing you all and your families a restful weekend and a Shabbat Shalom,

Tani Cohen-Fraade