Nesiya Tovah - Wonderful Journey!

With a blessing, hugs, and good weather, our TBA 10th graders are off to Israel! The building was buzzing today with chatter about Israel. TBA’s Early Learning Center sent off two teachers today for their own Boston Haifa adventure with other early childhood educators. Upstairs in our 2nd-5th grade classrooms, students and teachers wrote notes and prayers to go in the Kotel in Jersualem and heard from Rabbi Stern about how excited he is to travel with them to Israel when they reach 10th grade. This afternoon our religious school, 10th grade parents, community members, and staff shared a blessing for our Israel trip participants wishing them a nesiya tovah, a wonderful journey. It truly is a journey, not just a trip. Each year our teens come back from the Boston Haifa experience energized by their relationships with each other and community, interested in seeking out Jewish life within and beyond the walls of TBA, and inspired by a life changing experience. They come back filled with infectious joy and we can’t wait to hear about their experiences. Check back here for daily updates from the students, Rabbi Stern, and Francie Weinberg.

For now here are some questions our elementary students have for our 10th graders when they return:

What do people really do when they visit the Western Wall?

What’s the biggest difference between America and Israel?

What was your favorite part of the trip?

What did you do with the host families?

Are their houses the same?

Did you ride a camel?

Do you feel more connected to Judaism and to Israel?

What is the food like there?

Were you excited or nervous or both?

We are grateful to Combined Jewish Philanthropies and TBA’s Boston Haifa Fund for making this experience possible for our students each and every year. This unique program focuses on the connection our teens have not only with the land of Israel but with the people of Israel and our partners at the Alliance High School. We are so fortunate to be able to offer this to our students and excited to hear from them when they arrive in Israel!

I’ll end with a blessing shared by two of our 5th grade students at our send off this afternoon:

“Instead of trying to make your life perfect give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward.” Jawaharlal Nehru

“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” Amelia Earhart

Remember this on your journey through Israel. All of us here today are wishing you a safe, fun experience while you travel in Israel.

Becky Oliver

Director of Education