I would like to start off this blog by stating the obvious: Learning at AMHSI is not conventional. Some days are somewhat typical when we are on campus: We wake up at 7 in the morning, head to breakfast at the dining hall, then go to class at 8. We have class until 12 and lunch at 12:30, followed by class again until 6:15 sometimes. However, the intensity of on-campus days have taught me to manage my time. I take four general studies classes, so sometimes I have free periods throughout the day. I have to take advantage of this time to catch up on homework, shopping, and packing for upcoming tiyuls (trips).

In my opinion, tiyuls are what make the AMHSI experience so special. We have long days when we are on campus so we can compensate for missed class time while we are on tiyul. We typically leave for tiyul either around 7 in the morning or after a few general studies classes around noon. We often go on hikes at archaeological sites, like Mount Gilboa or Masada which we did most recently. The hikes vary from fairly easy to moderately difficult, and as a lover of hiking, I am always up for the adventure. Throughout the hike, we usually break up into our Israeli studies class and take notes. We always mark our location on a map we have of Israel, which is going to be an amazing relic to have once the program ends and the map has dozens of locations marked. Learning about the location we are visiting from 2,000 years before is different from anything I have ever experienced. My Israeli studies teacher Doni is so inspiring and he always tells us stories in an interactive way which allows us to really feel a connection to the land where we sit.

At our last hike, Masada, we had to wake up at 4:15 a.m in order to hike up in time to see the sunset at around 6:30. The hike up was rigorous, but the view throughout the hike was beautiful. The truly striking view, however, was at the top. I was able to see the sunrise peak out from the mountains beyond which was truly a unique experience. After we admired the sunset, we learned the history of Masada. We saw numerous ruins, from bathhouses constructed by Herod to classrooms which converted into casemate walls. We also discussed the tragic story of Masada. After the Romans sieged Masada and finally built a ramp to attack the Jews, they were faced with an impossible dilemma: fight the 15,000 Roman soldiers with less than 400 men of fighting age, surrender to the Romans which would guarantee a life of slavery, or commit suicide. After a lengthy discussion, the Jews chose the latter so they would not die at the hands of their enemies. Once we learned this depressing aspect of the story, we were taken to the cliff where it was said that the Romans threw the corpses of the Jews of Masada. As we yelled into the abyss, the echo yelled right back at us. This was truly moving, as it seemed as if our promise to never let what happened at Masada happen to Jews again was thrown back at us intertwined with the pain those Jews felt 2,000 years before. This was moving, as we literally stood where the Jews of Masada once did as they made the most important decision of their lives. The hike was definitely a challenge, but the beautiful view of the sunrise accompanied by the heavy story of the past of our people made it worth it. I am so excited to have more moving experiences like these throughout my time here in Israel.