Since I have been in Israel, my group has been traveling the country and using it as our classroom for our Israel Studies class. We base our travels on the time periods we learn about in class. Using Israel as my classroom has been great because we get to learn about something in the classroom and then actually see and experience it through activities, stories, and adventures. This helps me reinforce the information that we learn in class and forge a stronger connection with what I read on paper.

One example is Masada, we learned about the Zealots who inhabited Masada during the Great Revolt.The tiyul affected me because of the message, that  “Masada will not fall again”, a representation of the idea that Israel is surrounded by enemies once again after two thousand years, but this time we will not let them overcome us. Another example is when we went to the Israel Museum. We learned about the Second Temple period. On this tiyul we discussed the Roman rule of Israel.We also learned about the four sects of Judaism at the time. What I took away from the tiyul was how much the Jews’ pointless hatred towards each other and assimilation led to the destruction of the second temple and the end of Roman autonomy.

Another example was at Tel Gezer in the city of Gezer in central Israel. This field trip relates to many distinct eras as it was a tel, or a man made mountain of various stratas of civilization constructed over the course of thousands of years. We focused mostly on the Biblical time period of the patriarchs when Abram, later renamed as Abraham, may have come to this city.  What we learned on this field trip was that the Jewish people have always emphasized the value of education. As a result of this concept, we have been able to strive, adapt and persevere.

In Seattle I would never get any opportunities like this. In public school we do not go on any field trips, as we do not actually have any ancient monuments to explore in the area. Therefore, I am endlessly grateful for the opportunity to discover such incredible sites.