From the Classroom to Masada
It’s been another busy week for Barrack, from math tests and history quizzes, to bowling, art, and Rosh Hashanah celebrations. Not to mention meditating in the desert and a 4am wake-up call for Masada!
The week started with a few typical school days, but students were rewarded afterwards with bowling and a chance to go to the mall. By Wednesday, learning moved outside of the classroom. The students split up according to their academic tracks for two very different experiences. Those on the Business track took part in a creative workshop with a woman working on the business side of the art world, giving them a glimpse into the intersection between creativity and entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, the Science and Arts students explored Torah through art, using what they had learned in class to engage with ideas outside of traditional learning and textbooks...
The group then journeyed south towards Masada, stopping along the way for a desert meditation session. Away from the noise of everyday life, students were able to reflect and be completely present.
That night, they went to bed early, because Thursday morning our Barrack students woke up at 4:00 AM to make the hike up Masada!
The group hiked up the Snake Path in the dark, making the challenging climb just in time to watch the sunrise over the desert. This moment was a classic Israel experience that not only bonded the students through an incredibly early morning, but through the magic they got to experience together as they watched the day break.
With the sun in the sky, Muss teachers brought the history of Masada to life through educational sessions at the site before the group headed back down for lunch and a very well-earned float in the Dead Sea.
During Rosh Hashanah, the students will be head out to their host families across Israel, giving them the opportunity to experience the holiday in Israeli homes and communities, and enjoy some incredible Israeli food.
Weeks like this really capture what the Muss experience is all about. One moment teens are sitting a math test; the next they’re climbing a mountain. Students are learning in classrooms, but they’re also learning through the places, people, and experiences all around them.