AMHSI Israel Studies Teachers
Michael Glassman
Michael Glassman
I will never forget my first tiyul as an AMHSI student, in the Spring of 1998. Tel Gezer. A little green hill on the side of the highway, tucked in between a couple of kibbutzim, accessible only from a bumpy dirt road. Honestly, who has even heard of Tel Gezer? Only Bible scholars and AMHSI students, I guess. :) And maybe some local trail-runners.
More people should, though. Because hidden among the thorn bushes, tall grass, and ancient pottery of Tel Gezer, lies the secret to Jewish survival. I will never forget that feeling of empowerment that swept over me as I listened to my teacher tell us the story of an old stone tablet, found in the archaeological dumps at Tel Gezer: the Gezer Calendar. What is it? Ancient homework. A 3,000 year-old example of a Israelite kid learning about the Land of Israel, in the Land of Israel. In other words, Jewish education.
Throughout 4,000 years of history, Jews have endured the worst crises known to humankind--from national destruction and exile, to physical extermination. We have faced-off with ruthless enemies who spare no effort or expense just to destroy us. We face them still. We should no longer exist. And yet, we not only still live, we thrive. We continue to be a force of good for all of humanity, a "light among the nations." And our secret weapon? Jewish education.
This is what I came to understand as a 16 year-old on my first AMHSI tiyul. In the time of Solomon, some Israelite kid at Tel Gezer was learning about the Land of Israel. 3,000 years later, I did the exact same thing with my teacher. I got to learn--really learn--my family history and walk across the length and breadth of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. And when I learned the realities of Jewish history, the phenomenon of Jewish resilience and survival became all the more meaningful. I was both grateful and proud to be a Jew. My experience on AMHSI not only inspired me to want to share my story--the story of the Jewish people; it empowered me to do so. Now, as an Israel and Jewish Studies Teacher at AMHSI, I see the same sense of empowerment among my students. "Muss Magic" still works.
Since October 7th, it is clear that the Jewish people face another crisis. So again, the time has come to double down on our secret weapon: Jewish education. And no one does that better than AMHSI.
This March, please help me support Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) by contributing and sharing this page with your family and friends.
Sending teens to Alexander Muss High School in Israel is the solution that will ensure the next generation of Jews is strong, proud, and Zionistic. Sending teens to Alexander Muss High School in Israel gives our children the insight, ability, and emotional connection to stand tall on college campuses and in our communities, even amidst the rising hate around them. Sending teens to Alexander Muss High School in Israel provides them with the knowledge of their history, and the power to shape their Jewish and Zionist futures.
Be a part of the answer.
Be a part of Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
Together, we can make a difference!
More people should, though. Because hidden among the thorn bushes, tall grass, and ancient pottery of Tel Gezer, lies the secret to Jewish survival. I will never forget that feeling of empowerment that swept over me as I listened to my teacher tell us the story of an old stone tablet, found in the archaeological dumps at Tel Gezer: the Gezer Calendar. What is it? Ancient homework. A 3,000 year-old example of a Israelite kid learning about the Land of Israel, in the Land of Israel. In other words, Jewish education.
Throughout 4,000 years of history, Jews have endured the worst crises known to humankind--from national destruction and exile, to physical extermination. We have faced-off with ruthless enemies who spare no effort or expense just to destroy us. We face them still. We should no longer exist. And yet, we not only still live, we thrive. We continue to be a force of good for all of humanity, a "light among the nations." And our secret weapon? Jewish education.
This is what I came to understand as a 16 year-old on my first AMHSI tiyul. In the time of Solomon, some Israelite kid at Tel Gezer was learning about the Land of Israel. 3,000 years later, I did the exact same thing with my teacher. I got to learn--really learn--my family history and walk across the length and breadth of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. And when I learned the realities of Jewish history, the phenomenon of Jewish resilience and survival became all the more meaningful. I was both grateful and proud to be a Jew. My experience on AMHSI not only inspired me to want to share my story--the story of the Jewish people; it empowered me to do so. Now, as an Israel and Jewish Studies Teacher at AMHSI, I see the same sense of empowerment among my students. "Muss Magic" still works.
Since October 7th, it is clear that the Jewish people face another crisis. So again, the time has come to double down on our secret weapon: Jewish education. And no one does that better than AMHSI.
This March, please help me support Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) by contributing and sharing this page with your family and friends.
Sending teens to Alexander Muss High School in Israel is the solution that will ensure the next generation of Jews is strong, proud, and Zionistic. Sending teens to Alexander Muss High School in Israel gives our children the insight, ability, and emotional connection to stand tall on college campuses and in our communities, even amidst the rising hate around them. Sending teens to Alexander Muss High School in Israel provides them with the knowledge of their history, and the power to shape their Jewish and Zionist futures.
Be a part of the answer.
Be a part of Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
Together, we can make a difference!
Comments