Twenty-four Jewish educators including two from the Greater Boston area recently returned from Jewish National Fund-USA and Alexander Muss High School in Israel’s (Muss) Educators’ Mission to Israel, where participants spent eight immersive days exploring the realities of Israel and strengthening their ability to inspire the next generation of Zionists. Through visits to Jewish National Fund-USA initiatives across Israel’s North and South and experiential learning, participants gained new perspectives and resources to bring Israel education back to their schools and communities.  

The annual mission was organized in collaboration with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) as part of its Worldwide Education Seminar, which brought together more than 200 educational leaders. The Jewish National Fund-USA delegation participated in a tailored itinerary and exclusive touring opportunities.  

“Our group of educators joined together from around the world, representing the full breadth of religious observance, but unified in our mission to educate about the diversity and resiliency of the many Israelis we met,” said Rachel Gould, Senior Educator and School Committee Co-Chair at Beth El Temple Center in Belmont. “Jewish National Fund USA’s incredible efforts to rebuild the northern and southern areas most impacted by turmoil have centered on building up the youth. We were so excited to meet incredible young people in Jewish National Fund-USA community centers and learn about their journeys.” 

Throughout the week, participants experienced Jewish National Fund-USA’s circles of impact in action, exploring how initiatives across Israel’s North and South strengthen communities and enhance quality of life. The educators examined these efforts through the lens of Jewish values, exploring how Jewish responsibility, community, resilience, service, Zionism, and quality of life are put into action and can become meaningful lessons for their students. 

In Sderot and Eshkol, educators visited Jewish National Fund-USA’s Indoor Recreation Center and GrooveTech, two secure facilities where children can play safely despite the threat of rocket attacks. They visited Jewish National Fund-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem and toured the planned site of the World Zionist Village, a global center that will bring people together to shape the next generation of Zionist leadership.  

Participants also volunteered alongside Muss students to prepare lunch for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and toured the Muss campus in Hod HaSharon, where they experienced Muss’ unique educational methodology firsthand and learned how to bring Israel’s history to life. 

Following the mission, participants are working with Jewish National Fund-USA professionals to bring the organization’s programs and opportunities into their schools, including encouraging students to spend a semester abroad at Muss, traveling to Israel with Jewish National Fund-USA, and running relevant programming related to Zionist engagement and Jewish National Fund-USA’s work in Israel.  

“My time in Israel with Jewish National Fund-USA gave me the opportunity to recharge and reconnect with the country that holds the deepest place in my heart,” said Nancy Hait, Assistant Principal and Head of the Education Committee at Ahavath Torah Congregation in Stoughton. “Witnessing a nation so full of life, resilience, and collective determination to build a stronger future was simply breathtaking. I traveled with extraordinary Jewish National Fund-USA guides and an incredible group of educational leaders from across the United States. As we journeyed together, we formed deep connections over our shared experiences of living Jewishly in America.” 

For more information or to learn about Jewish National Fund-USA’s Zionist engagement initiatives, contact Zohar Vloski at 561-447-9733 ext. 898 or zvloski@jnf.org. 

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