Neshama Update: Jerusalem Hills, Gaza Envelope, Tel Aviv
Neshama students recently went on their first hike in the Jerusalem Hills. Our students had a chance to really strengthen their bond as a grade, one of Neshama's core goals.
Maya writes: “This trip has been a beautiful reminder of how shared experiences, both challenging and joyful, create lasting bonds within a community. From the hike through the Jerusalem Hills to the laughter and teamwork around the barbecue, every moment has deepened our connection to one another. We have begun to understand the true essence of Neshama—not just as a group of individuals, but as a collective, supportive family, united in our journey. As we continue to explore and grow together, the memories we've made during this first week will serve as a foundation for the strong relationships and meaningful experiences that lie ahead.”
An extremely emotional day for Neshama as they traveled to the Gaza Envelope to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the first kibbutzim to be attacked on Oct. 7; the site of the Nova Festival; and the bomb shelters where people fled. Every person our students meet in Israel will share their perspective on the world in light of the new reality since that day. The Israel they explore is not the same as the Israel of October 6, 2023. Visiting these sites allows our students to foster a deeper understanding of the world they are encountering—first in Israel and later, as they transition to college.
About the Nova Festival site, Rachel writes: “Each memorial featured a photo and a brief description of the individual, often written by family or friends. I read their stories, each one giving me a glimpse into who the person was. Learning about each victim—who they were, their passions, and their dreams—brought them to life. These memorials were heart wrenching and yet they also described the victims’ love for life. Afterwards, we davened Mincha and finished by singing Hatikva. The song brought tears to our eyes. It was a powerful reminder of the strength of the Jewish people.”
Neshama then met up with GOA alumni in Tel Aviv who made aliyah. Thank you to Gur Adiel '18, Ben Bargad '20, Ayala Jones '19 for sharing insight about life in Israel and serving in the IDF. They also had a visit with Elliott Morley '24, who is on a gap year, and former GOA faculty member Jamie Mittleman. We love seeing such strong GOA connections!
Back
Maya writes: “This trip has been a beautiful reminder of how shared experiences, both challenging and joyful, create lasting bonds within a community. From the hike through the Jerusalem Hills to the laughter and teamwork around the barbecue, every moment has deepened our connection to one another. We have begun to understand the true essence of Neshama—not just as a group of individuals, but as a collective, supportive family, united in our journey. As we continue to explore and grow together, the memories we've made during this first week will serve as a foundation for the strong relationships and meaningful experiences that lie ahead.”
An extremely emotional day for Neshama as they traveled to the Gaza Envelope to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the first kibbutzim to be attacked on Oct. 7; the site of the Nova Festival; and the bomb shelters where people fled. Every person our students meet in Israel will share their perspective on the world in light of the new reality since that day. The Israel they explore is not the same as the Israel of October 6, 2023. Visiting these sites allows our students to foster a deeper understanding of the world they are encountering—first in Israel and later, as they transition to college.
About the Nova Festival site, Rachel writes: “Each memorial featured a photo and a brief description of the individual, often written by family or friends. I read their stories, each one giving me a glimpse into who the person was. Learning about each victim—who they were, their passions, and their dreams—brought them to life. These memorials were heart wrenching and yet they also described the victims’ love for life. Afterwards, we davened Mincha and finished by singing Hatikva. The song brought tears to our eyes. It was a powerful reminder of the strength of the Jewish people.”
Neshama then met up with GOA alumni in Tel Aviv who made aliyah. Thank you to Gur Adiel '18, Ben Bargad '20, Ayala Jones '19 for sharing insight about life in Israel and serving in the IDF. They also had a visit with Elliott Morley '24, who is on a gap year, and former GOA faculty member Jamie Mittleman. We love seeing such strong GOA connections!
Wilf Lower School Campus
Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus
©2020 Golda Och Academy - All Rights Reserved