I have been at AMHSI for four days now, but it feels like a lifetime. As with any life, there has been highs and lows of the trip so far...

From the moment I stepped off the plane, I have been constantly learning about this country and my purpose within it. Being an American, I noticed obvious cultural differences…

I have been in Israel in for almost two weeks now, and during this time, I have noticed some distinct elements of Israeli culture and mentality that differ from the American lifestyle...

I have been in Israel for almost three weeks now. Within this time, I have come to realize the transformative nature of our tiyulim...

One of the biggest transformations I have been through so far is becoming one with the culture. I’m not a tourist, I’m a student living here, going grocery shopping. I still have tests to think about and study for. To show other the “wisdom” (haha not really) I have acquired, I compiled a list of the best tips for living and being a student in Israel...

With such a distinctive cultural identity which vastly differs from the one I am accustomed to, there comes a need for adaptation. In my time at AMHSI, I have created my own ways of accepting the intricacies of Israeli culture. In this blog, I hope to give a little bit of insight into my experience in Israel and give advice on how to survive the trip for anyone considering participating.

I’ve been wondering how I want to impact my community at home. I don’t want to return preaching how wonderful and perfect Israel is, therefore deserving of everyone’s blind support. And I don’t want to return urging a stronger practice of Judaism because that’s what people expect of me. Instead, I want to challenge my community’s Judaism and connection to Israel because this experience has challenged mine. What does Judaism mean to you?

I have been at AMHSI for six adventure filled, educational weeks, and, inevitably, the unwanted end to my trip keeps moving closer as each day goes by. A week and a half—that’s all the time I have left in my home-away-from home....

Today, we are shining the AMHSI alumni spotlight on Haily Fischer from Arizona, and her involvements with JNF post AMHSI. We also discuss why she chose to come back to Israel to study at IDC Herzliya and her post-college dreams.

Our December 2018 Impact Fellows from Greater New York take us through a visual journey of how history comes alive on their tiyulim.

We sat down to discuss the beginnings of AMHSI with Lenore Kipper, wife of Rabbi Morris Kipper z"l, founder of AMHSI, Avi Kipper, son of Lenore and Rabbi Morris and one of AMHSI's first students, Chaim Fischgrund, former Head of School and Baruch Kraus, one of the original teachers at AMHSI.

Join our September 2018 Impact Fellows on the Muss Magic podcast!

Join our Fall Semester 2018 Impact Fellows on the Muss Magic podcast!

Muss Magic sat down with students from Rapapport Dorm during Summer of 2018.

Muss Magic gets to know students from Muss Dorm during the Summer of 2018.

Muss Magic gets to know students in Friedman Dorm during the Summer of 2018.

Get to know the Muss Magic Podcast!

Muss Magic sat down with our Summer 2018 Impact Fellows!

CESJDS 2018 students spoke eloquently about their teachers, Akiva Gersh and Elhanan Brown, during their end of session banquet. Take a look at what they wrote: