#HodisHome
Prior to my arrival at Muss, I had heard about the hashtag “Hod is Home.” Initially, I didn’t understand how I could ever view a place that is 6,762 miles away from my family as a true “home," but now I do. In only two (almost three) weeks, Alexander Muss High School in Israel has become my home, and my classmates my family. Even on our first open weekend, we were texting each other!
I would like to focus on my family within the Muss family: Doni and David, Instructors of Israel Studies. During Tiyulim (field trips), we split up into two small groups to allow us to focus better and form deeper connections. While all of our trips have been amazing thus far, and I am forever grateful to Muss and my teachers for giving me these experiences, I think the trip and lesson that resonated with me the most was our “lecture” on top of Tel Azeka and Tel Socho.
We started the day by learning about King David (then King Saul’s harp player) who defeated Goliath (a giant). David was a small Jewish boy who bravely fought Goliath and hit him with a rock between the eyes. He landed a deadly blow and sliced Goliath's head off—a victory no one anticipated.
Afterwards, we hiked up Tel Socho and learned about the Palmach and Convoy 35 who, decades ago, climbed the very same trail. While on their siege to resupply the Gush Etzion block, Convoy 35 encountered an Arab shepherd. Being people of compassion and mercy, like true Jewish soldiers, they let the innocent man go despite the many risks. Sadly, the man ran to alert his village and all 35 of the men were murdered. When their bodies were found, it was discovered they had surrounded themselves with rocks and clutched stones tightly in their hands. After running out of gun power, they began bravely throwing rocks. The men of Convoy 35 displayed bravery, resilience, and true Jewish spirit.
Doni ended our lesson that day by returning to more recent events. He retold the story of a lone soldier's personal battle on October 7. Even though the young soldier was still in training, when he saw terrorists enter his town, he immediately took action. He found a gun and ran to a rooftop from where he shot at the terrorists. He eventually ran out of ammunition, and, like the brave men of Convoy 35, he too started to throw rocks. Later that same day, his body was found with a rock clenched tightly in his hand and a smile on his face—content to have died with the honor of protecting his country, like the men of Convoy 35.
I have always been very in touch with my “Jewish Identity,” but I came to Muss to not only learn more about myself as a Jew, but about our history as well. Living in a town with a small Jewish population, I wanted to feel more connected to my people and our land, which holds so much of our history. And while the hike that day with David, Doni, and my peers was beautiful, I left with more than just pretty pictures and cute selfies with my friends...I left with a sense of purpose and pride. Throughout history, and even today, many have called for the destruction of Jews and the State of Israel, but we, the Jewish people, have always fought for our country, our right to exist, and to practice our religion freely .
King David, Convoy 35, soldiers on October 7, and my classmates and I are all links on a very long chain—one that will continue to grow over time. Doni helped me realize that we can all make a difference, and we are all a part of something greater than we can ever truly grasp.
Thank you Roni, Talya, Yair, David, and especially Doni ,for giving me these life changing experiences, a place to belong, and a new home.
#HodisHome
Maayan Amsterdamer is 15 years old and attends Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, NY