Spotlight: Deepening Our Students’ Connection to Israel

At Hausner, our commitment to Zionism and Israel education lives not only in our classrooms, but in the hearts and daily experiences of our students. We work intentionally to deepen our students' connection to Israel, grounding learning in history, culture, language, and lived realities. This connection is nurtured over many years and across disciplines, creating an education that is thoughtful, values-driven, and responsive to the world our students inhabit. 

A cornerstone of this work is our 8th-grade Israel trip. Each year, our students travel to Israel to engage directly with the land, its people, and its stories. Since the October 7th attacks, these visits have taken on a deeper meaning. Our students have stood at sites forever changed, listened to stories of courage and loss, and met with families, survivors, and peers their own age. These encounters asked our students to listen closely, to bear witness, and to sit with complexity. They deepened our students’ understanding of Israel’s reality and strengthened their sense of Jewish identity and responsibility. One student reflected on their visit to the Nova festival memorial site by writing, “At the Nova music festival memorial, we saw how each family and group of friends created their own tribute. Pictures of the victims were surrounded by ceramic Kalaniot, and handwritten notes made the memorial deep personal, reminding us that each victim was not just a statistic, but a person who lived, laughed, and loved. Standing there, only a few kilometers from Gaza, felt surreal and unforgettable. It showed us how October 7th is not just history, but still a living wound.” Students returned having mourned, reflected, and carried stories back to our community, reminding us that memory and action go hand in hand.

Israeli education does not begin or end with travel. We are expanding our Israel education as a whole, adding a curriculum focusing on Upper School grades. This comprehensive approach is designed to create students who are educated critical thinkers, able to engage in difficult conversations with curiosity, empathy, and a strong foundation of facts. We believe that loving Israel includes asking hard questions, grappling with multiple perspectives, and developing the skills to speak thoughtfully and responsibly. Our goal is not simple answers, but deep understanding and meaningful engagement.

In addition to our expanded Israel Education Program, we are enriching Israeli culture and presence on campus by introducing our Shinshinim program. Shinshinim are Israeli high school graduates who defer military service for a year in order to serve in Jewish communities around the world. These carefully selected young people act as cultural ambassadors, sharing their enthusiasm for Israel and strengthening connections between Israel and Jewish diaspora communities. They focus on Israel education, creating dialogue, and helping young Jews develop meaningful attachments to Israel while promoting collective Jewish identity and responsibility.

Our Shinshinim, Shira and Ziv, work daily to bring Israeli culture to life for our students. Through music, Hebrew language, shared stories, and informal conversations, they help students experience Israel as a living, evolving society. They are helping pioneer the Shinshinim program here at Hausner, adding joyful and meaningful traditions such as Israeli music dance parties on Fridays during lunch. Just as importantly, they are building relationships, answering hard questions about life in Israel today, and offering students a personal and authentic connection to Israeli identity and community.

Especially now, in these difficult and challenging times, Hausner is making a dedicated effort to prioritize safety, community, and communication. Our approach to Israel education is rooted in care for our students and our broader community. By combining thoughtful curriculum, meaningful relationships, and powerful shared experiences, we strive to educate students who are informed, compassionate, and deeply connected. At Hausner, Israel education is not a single program or moment. It is an ongoing commitment to learning, responsibility, and Jewish peoplehood.