|
Judaism
Education
-- Judaism has always been at the core of my life. One of the reasons we moved from Bordeaux, France to Wynnewood (near Philadelphia) was for Jewish Education - I went to Perelman Jewish Day School until 8th Grade at the Stern Center and Saligman Middle School. After starting public school in 9th grade at
Lower Merion High School, I joined the
Jewish Community High School of Gratz College where I spend 7 hours a week during the school year taking different classes including Bible, Hebrew, Jewish History, Biomedical Ethics, and more. By the end of this year, I will have earned the JCHS Community Teaching Certificate and become a member of the Shalem
Society by obtaining over 92 credits over the past 4 years. I plan to pass on what I have learned from my Jewish experiences in school, in Israel, and at camp to others by teaching in hebrew school during college.
|
|
My brother Jon and I at my Bat-Mitzvah in April 2003
|
Religion
-- Every Saturday morning, I go to Temple Beth Hillel - Beth El, where I had my bat-mitzvah and where I often read Torah and lead the service as well. For my Bat-mitzvah, I read the entire portion, and I can sight-read Torah incantations. My most spiritual
moments, however, have not been in a synagogue but in Israel itself.
Israel
-- I have been to Israel four times: on the first trip, I was too young to remember;
on
the second, I went with my eighth grade class at Saligman Middle School; and on
the third,
|
|
While on the TRY semester program in Israel, we spent one week in Gadna - a basic training program run by the Israel Defense Force.
|
I went with my family and we had a huge familly
reunion with over a hundred people. During the spring semester of 2008,
I went on my fourth and most memorable trip to Israel with Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim
|
|
During the last week on TRY, we visited the Naot factory where I stocked up on Israeli presents for my family.
|
(Ramah Jerusalem High School), a four month Israel program run by Ramah. These four
months were absolutely incredible. It was amazing to learn 3,000 years of Jewish history where it all took place, hike throughout the country, participate in Gadna (a one week introduction to military training run by the Israeli Defense Force), spend a week in a kibbutz in the negev, and listen to political speakers speak so passionately about their completely opposing views. I fell in love with the country,
and I will never forget this incredible experience. I know I will go back to Israel
one day, the only question is when - perhaps on a study abroad program in college, perhaps to make aliyah. However, one thing is certain: Israel and Judaism will always be central to my life.
|