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18 for Israel
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Eighteen educators from Agnon School traveled to Israel together from July 2 - 16 The trip was heavily subsidized, primarily by an anonymous donor in the Cleveland community.
Judaic, general studies, early childhood, primary and middle school teachers as well as teaching specialists and administrators comprised the group. Each is responsible for developing a curricular unit or a personal project that links this experience to their specific area of responsibility in the school.
JERRY ISAAK-SHAPIRO: Agnon Head of School
Still Transformative - Still Magic
My perennial fear of "Did-we-oversell-Israel?" was, once again, unfounded. Thirty-five years ago, twenty years ago, fifteen, ten or five years ago or just last year - this very small, very intense sliver of Land keeps doing what it's always done for those who visit - for the first time or the tenth. It inflames the passions, it arouses the senses; it forces the visitor to confront his/her own sense of history, spirituality, Peoplehood. Stripped of all five physical senses, Israel would find a sixth through which it would invade your consciousness and poke at your complacency. The most jaded and hardened adolescent relinquishes his I-am-a-proud-cynic card; and the youngest child comes up with insights and connections that cause her parents to do a proud double-take.
This trip has once again provided me the privilege of seeing Israel anew through the eyes of those who had never walked Jerusalem's streets or climbed Masada or hiked the Negev. In a startlingly small country, the sheer variety of beauty is itself startling - and the diversity of its people lays waste to any preconceived notions of homogeneity. Even those of us fortunate to have a familiarity with Israel's cities and people and countryside benefit from the reminders that can only come from walking the Land.
Day schools ask so much of our staff and faculty - dual curricula, blending formal and non-formal programming, offering both this and that - and all at the highest levels. Agnon asks its social studies and math and science and language arts teachers not to truly know the four thousand years of Jewish history, but to appreciate their importance and relevance. Likewise regarding Israel - we ask our entire staff to understand the visceral connection each Jew has with the Land and State and People of Israel. And there is simply no way to move someone to that level of understanding without being there. The benefits of the group experience - the bonding, the sharing across disciplines and divisions that simply doesn't happen during the academic year - were all enhanced by having taken place in Israel. Not only did the eighteen of us climb and walk and experience all that Israel has to offer, we did it together.
Unpacking thoughts and feelings
DINA ROCK: Agnon Second Grade Teacher
Raised in Cleveland, I grew up as a Conservative Jew and attended Hebrew and Sunday school. I was always proud of being Jewish, but never had "the connection" to Israel that I saw in others. In addition, I didn't have a strong desire to travel. So, for me, Israel remained a place on the map that I felt tied to in an obligatory way.
As I began to teach in Jewish day schools, I also began to feel my connection to Judaism grow each year. Still, I did not have a desire to visit Israel. Then, a few years ago, the "bug" bit me. But, how could I turn this newfound dream into a reality?
The answer came this year when Jerry Isaak-Shapiro informed us that an anonymous donor was going to generously help fund an Agnon staff trip to Israel. Suddenly, July 2, 2008, couldn't come quick enough.
From the moment I landed in Israel, I knew this experience was going to be special. I was immediately taken with the country ( its beauty, its intensity and its peacefulness. Our Keshet Tour was an amazing integration of history, education, speakers, food and fun. Every day was filled with thought-provoking activities and a spirituality that was unmatched by anything I had ever felt before.
I arrived home bewildered (and not just from jet lag) by the intensely peaceful people that live in Israel. I fell in love with their spirit, the land and the history. Though I have unpacked my bags, I am still unpacking my thoughts and feelings. My sense of Judaism has been heightened forever. Not in a deeply religious way, but in a way far deeper than I could have ever expected. The only comparison I can make is giving birth to my sons.
I no longer will look at a map and simply point to Israel as a place. Now I too feel it is my home. This was the gift of a lifetime ( not only because I experienced Israel, but also because it will last a lifetime.
KAREN SHIFFMAN: Agnon Kindergarten Teacher
I just took my first trip to Israel in almost 17 years. This is a milestone for me because I think of myself as a Zionist and have attempted to educate my children as such.
Why has it taken me so long to get back, you may wonder? It is not very complicated. Life really does get in the way of all good intentions. Beyond the cost of living Jewishly in the Diaspora, no excuses are really appropriate. Because of an extremely generous donation to send the Agnon staff to Israel, I pushed all excuses aside.
After living in Israel for a number of years a lifetime ago, it's almost as if I was traveling there for the first time. Things have changed so much in that many years, not to mention how I may have changed in that amount of time. Everything (from the airport to the skyline to the road system to the telephones) is different.
I am happy to report that some things in Israel have not changed (the flow of the work week, a truly restful Shabbat, Hebrew as a spoken language and kosher fast food). My impressions of Israel from so long ago still resonate within me and seeing the land, people and places redefine those ideological youthful feeling buried within me. Although the cities and highways are expanding, the beauty of the hills, the sights, the sounds and the smells remain the same. Even the sense of safety when walking the streets remains, though conflict still rages all around.
The country remains a contradiction of ancient and new, and there is still a binding force tying Jews and non-Jews from around the world to Israel. There remains something special about being there and at times the feelings are intangible. Yet, they still evoke a sense of belonging and yearning. Two of my children have traveled to Israel with their Agnon eighth grade class and my third plans to visit with hers. I can only hope that it will not be another seventeen years for me.
My patriotic role models
DOUG SWEET: Agnon Middle School Social Studies Teacher
In May, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel for the first time, spending 18 amazing days with our eighth graders. I thought, as a social studies teacher, what better way to learn history than to visit the sites where it actually occurred?
As a Christian working at a Jewish day school, it was hard for me to understand the pride that many students, parents and staff have for Israel ( especially since we live in America. Many students and colleagues tried to explain the importance of Israel and protecting their homeland, but to no avail. Now, I finally understood why the State of Israel existed and how proud the Jewish people are of this country.
Not until I was bombarded with the sites and sounds of pure sadness and joy during Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut - which collectively represented true patriotism for Israel - did I understand why this country was so important. Throughout Jewish history, so many people had fought for freedom, redemption and equality - consistently fighting for a place where Jews could live peacefully together.
This summer, thanks to an anonymous donor, I was able to return to Israel for two weeks with the Agnon staff. I looked forward to immersing myself into the culture and learning more about what it truly meant to be proud of one's country. I spoke with Israelis who were my age and yet had far different experiences than me and therefore, a totally different perspective on life and their country. They displayed vigor, passion and confidence.
We also met with Noa Lev, a mother who had lost her son while he was in the military. He passed away at 24, the same age as me. Noa demonstrated such poise and strength while speaking of her son. She was proud of what their country had done for him. She explained that he was often a troublemaker in school, but his dedication to his country had made him a leader. He had lived up to his potential and gave his life to protect his family, friends, new wife and country.
It made me think, hasn't the United States provided me with a place that is peaceful and equal? Have I shown my country the patriotism it deserves? Have I respected the people who have lost their lives in order to defend mine? I hope that I can enhance the love of my country through the actions and words of those living in this Jewish homeland. They have become my "patriotic role models."
Judaic, general studies, early childhood, primary and middle school teachers as well as teaching specialists and administrators comprised the group. Each is responsible for developing a curricular unit or a personal project that links this experience to their specific area of responsibility in the school.
JERRY ISAAK-SHAPIRO: Agnon Head of School
Still Transformative - Still Magic
My perennial fear of "Did-we-oversell-Israel?" was, once again, unfounded. Thirty-five years ago, twenty years ago, fifteen, ten or five years ago or just last year - this very small, very intense sliver of Land keeps doing what it's always done for those who visit - for the first time or the tenth. It inflames the passions, it arouses the senses; it forces the visitor to confront his/her own sense of history, spirituality, Peoplehood. Stripped of all five physical senses, Israel would find a sixth through which it would invade your consciousness and poke at your complacency. The most jaded and hardened adolescent relinquishes his I-am-a-proud-cynic card; and the youngest child comes up with insights and connections that cause her parents to do a proud double-take.
This trip has once again provided me the privilege of seeing Israel anew through the eyes of those who had never walked Jerusalem's streets or climbed Masada or hiked the Negev. In a startlingly small country, the sheer variety of beauty is itself startling - and the diversity of its people lays waste to any preconceived notions of homogeneity. Even those of us fortunate to have a familiarity with Israel's cities and people and countryside benefit from the reminders that can only come from walking the Land.
Day schools ask so much of our staff and faculty - dual curricula, blending formal and non-formal programming, offering both this and that - and all at the highest levels. Agnon asks its social studies and math and science and language arts teachers not to truly know the four thousand years of Jewish history, but to appreciate their importance and relevance. Likewise regarding Israel - we ask our entire staff to understand the visceral connection each Jew has with the Land and State and People of Israel. And there is simply no way to move someone to that level of understanding without being there. The benefits of the group experience - the bonding, the sharing across disciplines and divisions that simply doesn't happen during the academic year - were all enhanced by having taken place in Israel. Not only did the eighteen of us climb and walk and experience all that Israel has to offer, we did it together.
Unpacking thoughts and feelings
DINA ROCK: Agnon Second Grade Teacher
Raised in Cleveland, I grew up as a Conservative Jew and attended Hebrew and Sunday school. I was always proud of being Jewish, but never had "the connection" to Israel that I saw in others. In addition, I didn't have a strong desire to travel. So, for me, Israel remained a place on the map that I felt tied to in an obligatory way.
As I began to teach in Jewish day schools, I also began to feel my connection to Judaism grow each year. Still, I did not have a desire to visit Israel. Then, a few years ago, the "bug" bit me. But, how could I turn this newfound dream into a reality?
The answer came this year when Jerry Isaak-Shapiro informed us that an anonymous donor was going to generously help fund an Agnon staff trip to Israel. Suddenly, July 2, 2008, couldn't come quick enough.
From the moment I landed in Israel, I knew this experience was going to be special. I was immediately taken with the country ( its beauty, its intensity and its peacefulness. Our Keshet Tour was an amazing integration of history, education, speakers, food and fun. Every day was filled with thought-provoking activities and a spirituality that was unmatched by anything I had ever felt before.
I arrived home bewildered (and not just from jet lag) by the intensely peaceful people that live in Israel. I fell in love with their spirit, the land and the history. Though I have unpacked my bags, I am still unpacking my thoughts and feelings. My sense of Judaism has been heightened forever. Not in a deeply religious way, but in a way far deeper than I could have ever expected. The only comparison I can make is giving birth to my sons.
I no longer will look at a map and simply point to Israel as a place. Now I too feel it is my home. This was the gift of a lifetime ( not only because I experienced Israel, but also because it will last a lifetime.
KAREN SHIFFMAN: Agnon Kindergarten Teacher
I just took my first trip to Israel in almost 17 years. This is a milestone for me because I think of myself as a Zionist and have attempted to educate my children as such.
Why has it taken me so long to get back, you may wonder? It is not very complicated. Life really does get in the way of all good intentions. Beyond the cost of living Jewishly in the Diaspora, no excuses are really appropriate. Because of an extremely generous donation to send the Agnon staff to Israel, I pushed all excuses aside.
After living in Israel for a number of years a lifetime ago, it's almost as if I was traveling there for the first time. Things have changed so much in that many years, not to mention how I may have changed in that amount of time. Everything (from the airport to the skyline to the road system to the telephones) is different.
I am happy to report that some things in Israel have not changed (the flow of the work week, a truly restful Shabbat, Hebrew as a spoken language and kosher fast food). My impressions of Israel from so long ago still resonate within me and seeing the land, people and places redefine those ideological youthful feeling buried within me. Although the cities and highways are expanding, the beauty of the hills, the sights, the sounds and the smells remain the same. Even the sense of safety when walking the streets remains, though conflict still rages all around.
The country remains a contradiction of ancient and new, and there is still a binding force tying Jews and non-Jews from around the world to Israel. There remains something special about being there and at times the feelings are intangible. Yet, they still evoke a sense of belonging and yearning. Two of my children have traveled to Israel with their Agnon eighth grade class and my third plans to visit with hers. I can only hope that it will not be another seventeen years for me.
My patriotic role models
DOUG SWEET: Agnon Middle School Social Studies Teacher
In May, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel for the first time, spending 18 amazing days with our eighth graders. I thought, as a social studies teacher, what better way to learn history than to visit the sites where it actually occurred?
As a Christian working at a Jewish day school, it was hard for me to understand the pride that many students, parents and staff have for Israel ( especially since we live in America. Many students and colleagues tried to explain the importance of Israel and protecting their homeland, but to no avail. Now, I finally understood why the State of Israel existed and how proud the Jewish people are of this country.
Not until I was bombarded with the sites and sounds of pure sadness and joy during Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut - which collectively represented true patriotism for Israel - did I understand why this country was so important. Throughout Jewish history, so many people had fought for freedom, redemption and equality - consistently fighting for a place where Jews could live peacefully together.
This summer, thanks to an anonymous donor, I was able to return to Israel for two weeks with the Agnon staff. I looked forward to immersing myself into the culture and learning more about what it truly meant to be proud of one's country. I spoke with Israelis who were my age and yet had far different experiences than me and therefore, a totally different perspective on life and their country. They displayed vigor, passion and confidence.
We also met with Noa Lev, a mother who had lost her son while he was in the military. He passed away at 24, the same age as me. Noa demonstrated such poise and strength while speaking of her son. She was proud of what their country had done for him. She explained that he was often a troublemaker in school, but his dedication to his country had made him a leader. He had lived up to his potential and gave his life to protect his family, friends, new wife and country.
It made me think, hasn't the United States provided me with a place that is peaceful and equal? Have I shown my country the patriotism it deserves? Have I respected the people who have lost their lives in order to defend mine? I hope that I can enhance the love of my country through the actions and words of those living in this Jewish homeland. They have become my "patriotic role models."
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