Shalom Le Kulam (to everyone).

My name is Alona Nir and I am the new Director of the Israel programs of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in New Jersey.

I live and work in Jerusalem. I was born and raised in Kiryat Bialik, near Haifa. I was always involved with informal Jewish education – from my army service as a nature guide in Mount Meiron (near Safed) and working with Jewish teens from Britain, Canada, South Africa and the US for the "Israel Experience Ltd". (a subsidiary company of the Jewish Agency). Recently, I spent two years as a shlicha (representative of Israel) for the Israel Program Center of MetroWest UJC in New Jersey. I have a BA from the Hebrew University in International Relations and MA in Conflict Resolution and Management.

I am very excited to be working with SSDSEU on both of our programs in Israel: Na’ale and Neshama.

Naale- 9th grade trip offers many group activities aimed at getting to know Israel better, exploring the students' relationship to the country, experiencing Judaism in an inspiring Jewish atmosphere, as well as allowing students to get to know their friends in the grade in a non-academic setting. The 9th grade trip is a part of a plan to strengthen the connection between SSDSEU teens and Israel by building a living bridge between our students and their peers in Israel during the high school years. Students collaborate with their Israeli peers throughout their high school years in various programs. The experience culminates in a mifgash (get-together) during the Neshama program in 12th grade.

This year, Na’ale students arrive Israel on October 8th, during HOL HAMOED Sukkoth, which gives them the wonderful opportunity of celebrating the holiday in Israel. They will have the opportunity to experience "Aliya Laregel" to Jerusalem and to celebrate with Moreshet Yisrael Synagogue on the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center campus . Na’ale will travel south to meet their Israeli peers in Merchavim and will leave Israel on October 15th after traveling also to the Judean desert and up to the North.

Naaleh at the Kotel

Neshama is the capstone of the Jewish day school experience for our students. Our seniors have the option of spending the second semester of their senior year in Israel and Eastern Europe, developing an even greater sense of Jewish identity. Through this life-changing experience, our students develop a love and support to the state of Israel and Zionism and will keep Israel in the core of their Jewish identity as adults.

Neshama students will arrive to Poland on March 1st and continue to Israel a week later. It is the 18th anniversary of Neshama program – therefore our main theme will be “Neshama Chai” - We will highlight the various meanings of "life" in Judaism like - holiness of life, the way of life I choose, Tzedakah, Tikkun Olam, volunteering, saving lives and more.

This year, we are planning to strengthen our connection with Conservative/Masorti communities in Israel. We intend to visit three different Masorti Kehilot and have a joint activity with their rabbis.

8 Agron Street, Jerusalem
Telephone (02) 625 - 6386, Fax (02) 623 - 4127
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7456
Jerusalem, 94265
E-Mail: Rabbi Ed Romm
www.uscj.org.il
© 2009