Our Stories

May 1 and 2:

After arriving at MILTON at 5:30am, students remained in high spirits as they took a bus and then a plane to Israel. Right after landing, they went spelunking and found pieces of ancient artifacts at the archaeological dig at Beit Guvrin. They then listened to songs about Yerushalayim as they entered the city, stopping at an overlook to read moving and thematic poetry and stories. In the evening, they brought in their first Shabbat in Israel.

May 3:

Students had a terrific Shabbat which was packed with activity until havdalah: Shacharit prayers in a variety of synagogues; student divrei Torah; afternoon ‘rest’ time where students played sports and chatted with each other; a meet-up with Bnei Akiva students at a local park; and Seudah Shlishit (third meal) with a MILTON family who shared about their lives since making aliyah.

May 4:

Students had a packed Sunday: learning about and volunteering at Yad Sarah, climbing Migdal David (the Tower of David) for a brief but comprehensive overview of 2000+ years of history, touring the Southern Wall excavations, davening Mincha at the Kotel, meeting with Holocaust survivor Rena Quint to hear her story of survival as a child, and meeting up with friends and family on Ben Yehuda Street. It was a struggle to persuade the students to leave the Kotel because they were so involved in their words, spoken in personal prayer and written on notes, that they wanted to express in this sacred space.

May 5:

Students had a deeply meaningful day at Yad Vashem, Har Herzl (Mount Herzl), spending time with members of the Kibbutz Nir Oz community, and attending the final rehearsal of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a choral and dialogue program for Israeli and Palestinian youth.

Here are some of the reflections the students shared:

About Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center:

“The war happening right now makes understanding the Holocaust and the lives lost in prior wars in Israel feel more resonant. We can feel the emotion and the distress.” 

“It was a meaningful experience I will never forget and allowed me to better understand the meaning of being Jewish and what we’re here for.”

About Har Herzl:

“Har Herzl was tragically beautiful; beautiful because of the willingness of the Israeli people to sacrifice their lives for our country, but tragic because they needed to.”

About meeting with the Nir Oz community members:

“I feel a personal connection now. I always heard about them and the numbers of hostages, but now I know them and their children.”

After the Nir Oz community members spoke, our students stood up, linked arms, and sang Acheinu. Avner Cohen-Zamir’s parents also expressed their deep appreciation for our students’ visit: “Your presence gave us a sense of strength and belonging. It made us feel that you are with us.” 

About the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a choral and dialogue program for Israeli and Palestinian youth:

“It was really meaningful to see Israeli and Palestinian musicians come together to create something positive and hopeful.”  

And about the whole day: “It doesn’t matter what else we do. Today was the most meaningful day of the trip.”

May 6:

The students began early the next morning by climbing up Masada on the Roman Ramp Path, learning about the story of the people who revolted against the Romans, and taking in the absolutely breathtaking views. Later in the day they loved going into the Dead Sea—although they didn’t expect how it would make their skin feel afterwards! In the evening the students traveled up north to the Kinneret, where they stayed at Kibbutz Sha’ar HaGolan.

May 7:

The students had a spiritual experience in Tzfat, first davening on a terrace overlooking the city, then discussing times that have felt spiritual or important in their lives, and then closing the Tzfat experience with a moving discussion with artist Avraham Leventhal. Avraham told them that he doesn’t usually accept students younger than fifteen to meet with him in his gallery, but that he makes an exception for MILTON students, and he sees again why he does that. 

After Tzfat they went on a thrilling jeep ride in the Golan, getting off the jeeps to gather in historic sites to learn more about the Six Day War.

May 8:

After breakfast at the kibbutz, students hiked Har Arbel and enjoyed the beautiful views. They visited the Druze-owned restaurant, Nurah’s Kitchen, for lunch and to learn from its owner about some of the beliefs and practices of the Druze community.

In the afternoon, students visited the Roman ruins in Caesarea and sang HaBayta, the song our whole school sang in our commemoration program for October 7, in the Caesarea Amphitheater. Then they headed to the Mediterranean Sea, and spent time in the water!

May 9:

In Tel Aviv the students visited the Anu Museum of the Jewish People, the Carmel Market, the Nachalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Fair, Kikar haChatufim (Hostages Square), and took a walking tour of Tel Aviv to examine graffiti art that was a response to October 7.

For their final Shabbat in Israel, they had tefillah on a beautiful outdoor terrace. After dinner, the students returned to the area for an hour-long, student-initiated and guided ‘slow shira’ in which they sang Shabbat zmirot together. The teachers, inspired by their enthusiasm, joined in as well!

May 10 and 11:

After Shacharit, the students had a choice of a walking tour and visiting the shore. In the late afternoon, they sat by the water in small groups to reflect on the trip as a whole and to share hakarat hatov (appreciation) to each other, their guides, and their teachers. They arrived back in DC on Sunday morning after a deeply impactful, transformative experience.