Living Memories: Hearing from a Holocaust Survivor

This past week has been rich with meaningful experiences, powerful learning moments, and unforgettable connections to Jewish history and the modern State of Israel.

We began the week with Tisha B’Av, marking the solemn day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust memorial and museum. Our students had the rare opportunity to hear the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, an increasingly uncommon encounter that left a lasting impact.

On Monday, we traveled to the Carmel coast for a day of hands-on learning. On the beach, we explored the stories of Jewish refugees who escaped Europe during the British Mandate era—some of whom made it safely to Israel, while others were arrested and held in the Atlit detention camp, which we toured later that day.

We enjoyed a delicious Druze meal in Daliyat al-Carmel and spoke with a local Druze guide who shared insights into the Druze community: its unique and often secretive culture, its history of persecution under Muslim rule, and its current strong alliance with the State of Israel.

Tuesday brought us to Tel Aviv, where we explored the city’s roots and future. We visited Hostages Square, where families of the hostages held in Gaza continue to share their stories with the public. We then walked the original streets of Tel Aviv, founded in 1909, learning about the vision and dreams of its early pioneers.

On Wednesday, we took a break from travel and stayed on campus, before heading to a nearby forest in the late afternoon for team building and navigation activities, IDF-style!

Thursday marked the start of a multi-day trip to the north. We visited the Kinneret Cemetery, where many of the early pioneers of the Zionist movement are buried. We then made our way to Kibbutz Degania for a sweet workshop—making chocolate! From there, we headed up to the Golan Heights to learn about the Syrian Civil War and current regional security dynamics.

We’ll be spending a peaceful Shabbat at Kibbutz Gadot, with time for Torah study, rest, and swimming in the kibbutz pool. On Sunday, we’ll return to Hod HaSharon for our closing banquet.

It’s been another week of incredible adventures—deep, joyful, and at times emotional. We are truly grateful to be on this journey together.

Shabbat Shalom!