International Travel Opportunities
Naale - 9th Grade Trip to Israel
Naale, our 9th grade Israel trip, includes many group activities aimed at getting to know Israel better, exploring the students’ relationship to the country, experiencing Judaism in an inspiring Jewish atmosphere and allowing students to get to know their classmates in a non-academic setting.
The 9th grade trip is a part of a plan to strengthen the connection between Golda Och Academy teens and Israel by building a living bridge between our students and their peers in Israel. Students collaborate with their Israeli peers throughout their High School years in various programs. The experience culminates in a mifgash (get-together) during the Neshama program in 12th grade.
Neshama – 12th Grade Israel Program
Neshama is the capstone of the Jewish day school experience for our students. Our seniors have the option of spending the second semester of their senior year in Israel (beginning with a week in Eastern Europe), creating an even deeper sense of Jewish identity. Through this life-changing experience, our students develop a love for the state of Israel and Zionism that will keep Israel at the core of their Jewish identities as adults.
Costa Rica Tikkun Olam Trip
During winter, Golda Och Academy students spend time volunteering in a small village. Participants live with local families where they see an intimate snapshot of Costa Rican family life. During the day, students work on a variety of community service projects. Students also have free time to spend with their host families, practice Spanish, play soccer, make friends with local youth and attend community gatherings.
They spend Shabbat with the Jewish community in San José, the capital of Costa Rica and one of the most cosmopolitan Central American cities and home to the largest Jewish community in the country. Students also visit Manuel Antonio, a beautiful white sand beach and national park on the central Pacific coast. After a few days on the beach, the group heads to the mountains of Pura Suerte to learn about sustainable agriculture and rain forest ecology through a variety of adventurous activities.
