I recently had the opportunity to meet with Haim Fischgrund, the headmaster of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) and learn about this most wonderful program. AMHSI is an exciting and innovative eight-week academic program for 11th and 12th graders designed to make Israel into a living classroom. The program works in cooperation with US public and private schools, is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and uses an interdisciplinary curriculum to thoroughly acquaint students with Israel.
AMHSI offers a unique combination of hands-on visits to historical sites (almost half the program is taught on-site) and an in-depth analysis of written history. Students go beyond the ordinary acquisition of facts and are encouraged to integrate their varied learning experiences into an overall view of the evolution of civilization and modern Israel through the total immersion into their culture. Students are challenged on the intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual levels.
In addition, students are kept current with their home school in the areas of math, science and foreign language (sequential classes). All arrangements are made prior to the student’s departure between AMHSI and the student’s home school. An added bonus is that students earn college credits. All classes are conducted by English speaking instructors, many of whom hold advanced degrees in their areas of expertise.
AMHSI is located in Hod HaSharon, on a closed campus about 20 minutes north of Tel Aviv. Students live in co-ed dorm rooms and class size is no bigger than 20 students in a class while in the sequential classes, the teacher-student ratio is 1:2. The cost of the program is reasonable and scholarship money is available from the Jewish Federation. There are 5 sessions year round, including a summer session.
Why am I promoting a program in Israel at this time when tourism to Israel is at its nadir? Now, more than ever, it is our duty as Jews to support Israel — they are hurting big time. Morale is at an all time low and is compounded by a dire economic situation. Sending a check to Israel Bonds is a good thing but American Jews need to take a more active stand. I applaud the decision by the Charles E. Smith Day School to send their seniors on the annual Israel trip.
Following is an excerpt from a series of articles written by a Detroit high school senior, Jaclyn Goldis, who recently returned from the AMHSI program.
". . . My experience in Israel, amidst the history I can finally comprehend, was incredible beyond words. I learned more in two months than in four years of high school; I learned to appreciate my past, and to enrich my future with a Jewish pride that comes only with knowledge of my heritage. Despite my fear, despite the uncertainty of the current situation, I would not hesitate to go again, to go now even. Monetary help is quite familiar to American Jews, so are solidarity rallies and banquet-style dinners to aid worthwhile Jewish causes. These are all good causes . . . but Israel needs us now more than ever, and they need us face-to-face, fighting beside them, not continents away. Never should any Jew be afraid to travel to our homeland; Israel is the only place we can count on in a time of need. Surrounded by enemies, Israel fights our battles and endeavors to make peace for our children; the least we can do is show up once in a while to demonstrate our concern."
After talking with Haim Fischgrund and reading the literature on AMHSI, I really want to be back in high school now. It would be worth all the teenage angst to have the opportunity to participate in this wonderful program.
Best wishes for a Chag Pesach Sameach!
Eva Sarelle