A Light in the Darkness
It’s a beautiful winter Chanukah week here in Israel, with rainy nights, sunny days, and windows glowing with menorahs on every street.
At the same time, it is also a week of tragedy, as Jewish communities around the world face attacks simply for being Jewish and celebrating our way of life. One of the central teachings — and strengths — of Judaism is the ability to live joyfully with a broken heart: to celebrate life and rejoice, while also mourning and feeling deep sorrow. We believe it is possible to be grateful and hopeful without hardening our hearts. This is not merely a coping technique, but an existential choice — to choose life in the face of sorrow and death. And so, we continue to live, celebrate, and hope.
This is the last full week of the semester. It has unfolded slowly, day by day, filled with friendships, exploration, learning, highs and lows — and yet it has also flown by.
We returned from our beautiful trip to Eilat and the Arava on Saturday night. Over the past few days, students completed their final general studies classes and exams, while in Israel Studies, we continued learning about Israeli society, Hamas, and the teachings and traditions of Chanukah.
Each evening, we light the menorah together. The students have enjoyed a week filled with celebrations — together as a group, alongside younger students who have just arrived at Muss, and with a visiting group of Jewish National Fund-USA donors. Needless to say, many sufganiyot have been eaten.
On Thursday, we will depart for one of our final tiyulim. Some students will visit the Maccabiah Museum of Jewish athletics and spend the afternoon in the forest participating in Gadna-style teamwork activities. Our Heller High students will travel to Haifa to explore the relationships between Jews, Muslims, and Christians in the city.
This Shabbat, we will remain on campus, relaxing and celebrating together.
On Sunday, students will pack and work on their final projects, and on Sunday evening, we will gather for a farewell banquet. On Monday, we will board the bus and return to Jerusalem, visiting Har Herzl, the Kotel, and Ben Yehuda Street to enjoy the Chanukah lights that illuminate the city before heading to the airport.
Next week, you will have your amazing children back home. They may be tired, but we encourage you to sit with them, look through their photos, ask deep questions, and listen to their stories and reflections while their memories are still fresh.
It has been a great honor and responsibility to host them at Muss this semester. They have been an extraordinary group — curious, kindhearted, and open to discovery. We hope their time here will remain a lasting source of connection, inspiration, joy, and blessing for them, for you, and for your communities.
Wishing you all blessings.
Shabbat Shalom