Ramah Israel Institute
Day School Trips to Israel

A Ramah Day School Trip to Israel is ...
... The climax of 9 years of day school education
... A cohesive group experience for any class
... A springboard to future Jewish commitment

A Sample 8th Grade Program

Each 8th grade program is uniquely tailored to the curriculum, tastes and background of the individual group with a choice of themes, sites, and activities.
The following is a sample of an eighth grade program. It is intended as a sample only.

Daily Schedule Comments
Day 1 "Returning"
  • Arrival and welcome ceremony
  • Hike in Jerusalem Hills
  • Overview at the Tayelet
  • Opening Orientation
 Meet the staff, discuss expectations of the trip
Day 2 "Our Feet Stood Within Your Gates, O Jerusalem"
  • The Jewish Quarter
  • The Kotel and Tunnels
  • Herodian Mansions
  • Evening: Reflections
By exploring the wealth of remains in the Jewish Quarter participants deepen their understanding of central issues in Jewish history.
Day 3 "Desert Dreamers"
  • Hike in desert
  • Kibbutz Sde Boker: Ben Gurion's house and gravesite
  • Camel Rides
  • Evening: Bedouin Hospitality and campfire
 Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion's personality and achievements are highlighted by a special 'eulogy' activity at his house and grave.
Day 4 "Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?"
  • Climb Masada
  • Hike in Ein Gedi
  • Float in the Dead Sea Evening: Special program with madrichim
 Tefillot on Masada, as well as a presentation and discussion of the values surrounding the Masada story.
Day 5 "Digging for our Roots"
  • Dig for a Day
  • Return to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and meet relatives for host Shabbat
  • Spend Shabbat with relatives
At the archaeological site of Beit Guvrin participants excavate caves for remains over 2000 years old.
Day 6 "Host Shabbat"
  • Shabbat spent with family and friends
  • "The Wizard" Simulation Game
 Participants spend Shabbat with hosts designated before their arrival. They have an opportunity to see Israeli society and Israelis "from the inside".
Day 7 "Foundation of the State"
  • Yad Lekashish
  • Independence Hall, Tel Aviv
  • Kikar Rabin
  • Nahalat Binyamin
  • Drive north to the Galil
 At Yad Lekashish participants see an amazing crafts workshop for the elderly in Jerusalem and have a chance to buy beautiful gifts and souvenirs of their stay in Israel.
Day 8 "In the Footsteps of the Rabbis"
  • Tzippori
  • Kfar Kedem
  • Hike at the Arbel cliff
  • Kinneret boat ride
 At Kfar Kedem participants learn about daily life in the time of the Mishna, as they make pitta bread, ride donkeys and enjoy a "1st century meal"
Day 9 "Exploring the Galil and Golan"
  • Katzrin and Talmudic experience film
  • Overlooks from the Golan Heights
  • Kayaking on the Jordan River
  • Visit an army base
 Looking out over the northern part of Israel from the Golan Heights helps participants understand the nature of Israeli geography and politics.
Day 10 "Israeli Peers"
  • Full day Mifgash with Israeli students including ropes course
 A Mifgash, an encounter with Israeli peers, is a very important part of the trip It may include discussions, social activities, overnight home hospitality with Israeli families and an innovative art project at the host school.
Day 11 "Dreamers of Zion"
  • Kibbutz Ein Shemer
  • Atlit prison camp
  • Return to Jerusalem
 At Ein Shemer the group participates in an interactive activity which includes baking bread, building a communal settlement and dressing up, simulating the lives of the early pioneers.
Day 12 "If You Will It ..."
  • Yad Vashem
  • Har Herzl
  • Shabbat preparation
  • Kabbalat Shabbat in the Old City
 At Yad Vashem participants visit the Valley of the Communities and learn about European Jewish communities destroyed during the Holocaust.
Day 13 "Shabbat in Jerusalem"
  • Shabbat Tefilot at different synagogues
  • Shabbat rest
  • Seudah Shlishit and Israel Map Game
  • Havdalah Program
  • "The Wizard" Simulation Game
 The "Wizard" game at the Tower of David Museum is an inter-active Jerusalem history activity. Participants search throughout the museum for clues to help them find the Wizard.
Day 14 "Our Israel Connection"
  • Evaluations and Departure
Lehitraot!


TOP OF THE PAGE

Photos and Comments from Participants

We have been learning about Israel for years, and it was amazing to go there with friends.
(Seattle Jewish Day School, Israel trip participant)
Hikes made me understand the land better and challenge myself
(Seattle Jewish Day School, Israel trip participant)
Going to Israel in the 8th grade is a good idea because even if you go to a Jewish school all your life, learning is not enough. You have to experience it. (The Brandeis School, Lawrence, NY, Israel trip participant)
What I liked best about the trip was being united in a group, and learning about the important parts of the Jewish heritage. (Abraham Joshua Heschel School, Manhattan, NY, Israel trip participant)


TOP OF THE PAGE

List of Schools

The following Jewish Day Schools work in partnership with Ramah to bring their students to Israel for a stimulating and enriching class experience.
If you wish to be in contact with any of these schools, and benefit from their experience and comments, please let us know at Ramah and we will connect you with the appropriate person.


TOP OF THE PAGE

Contact us in Israel or in our New York office for more information about these programs:
For additional information and application details please contact our New York office:
National Ramah, 3080 Broadway, NY, NY, 10027
Tel.: (212) 678-8883, Fax.: (212) 749-8251
E-mail:ramahisrael@jtsa.edu
or in Israel, Joe Freedman at joe@ramah.co.il

[Home] [Programs] [What's New] [Educational Materials] [Alumni]
[Photo Albums] [Links] [Write to us]
© Ramah Israel, 2001