By: Emma Limor ’21

As part of the school’s Gunter Gross Global Fund faculty and staff members from both the Middle and the Upper School campuses traveled to travel to Israel. The trip ran from June 13-27.

Participants visited Jerusalem, Haifa, Caesarea and Tel Aviv in addition to other cities.

Each day included different activities, such as visiting the Dead Sea on Jordan’s and Israel’s border. Participants got to experience various religions by visiting monasteries, ancient ruins and sacred temples. They visited places including the Western Wall, the Yad Vashem Holacaust Museum, art fairs and other museums.

“One thing that was really touching for me was to experience Shabbat in Jerusalem.  You could already feel the emotion of the people while we walked towards The [Western] Wall, and I felt so deeply during this experience,” Middle School Spanish teacher Anamaria Ayala said.

According to participants, this experience was important to not only the teachers, but the students in the school community. Teachers said that the knowledge they gained over the trip is something they hope to pass on to the school community and in their curricula.

“I am definitely planning to use what I learned from the trip to Israel in teaching both the ninth and 10th grade history courses,” history teacher Lilas Lane said.

Participants involved in the trip said that this would not have been possible without the support of the school community. Teachers also said they enjoyed many personal experiences.

“Since becoming Jewish, I’d wanted to visit Israel but didn’t think I would be able to until later in life. I am incredibly grateful to the school’s families who made this trip to Israel possible,” Middle School Programming teacher Jessica Kaufman said.