Zachary's semester in Israel
Donation protected
I have been learning Hebrew since I was 5. Although neither of my parents speak it, there is something about Hebrew that resonates deeply within me. I love it. I tutor younger kids in Hebrew twice a week through the school year, and I also take advanced Hebrew classes outside of school twice a week.
Since I was five years old, it has been my dream to study in Israel. I have always wanted to do more than observe Israel’s profound beauty. I want to live it. Getting to spend a semester in Israel, improving my Hebrew, strengthening my connection to my heritage, acquiring knowledge and experiences I can bring back to my life in Michigan, would fulfill my dream.
I have discovered an opportunity to spend the 2017 fall semester on Kibbutz Tzuba, just outside of Jerusalem, learning at Heller High School. The curriculum at Heller High includes everything I would be learning at my International Baccalaureate school in Ypsilanti, as well as intensive classes in Hebrew and Jewish history. There are also 26 field trips to places of significance in Jewish history built into and aligning with the curriculum.
As you can probably imagine, such an incredible program is very costly. I am looking for people to help support me. I am applying for several grants and scholarships, but I know that I will need additional sources of funding to make this idea a reality. If you are interested and able, I would so appreciate your support!
To me, Israel is a place of eternal beauty. There is a Midrash (or story) about Israel’s beauty. It says that G-d intentionally created Israel to have such a diverse landscape so that no matter where you came from, you would feel at home when you came to Israel. As the Midrash says: in the North, there are mountains stretching all the way to Syria, surrounding valleys of luscious greenery. In the West, there are miles of beautiful beaches with golden sand stretching into the blue-green waters of the Mediterranean. In the East, there are mountains that slope down to meet the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth. In the South, there is a desert filled with small wonders and hidden treasures. The most beautiful part, however, is in the center of Israel, where the heart of Judaism lies, Jerusalem.
Will you consider helping me get to Israel to study, and to realize my dream?
Since I was five years old, it has been my dream to study in Israel. I have always wanted to do more than observe Israel’s profound beauty. I want to live it. Getting to spend a semester in Israel, improving my Hebrew, strengthening my connection to my heritage, acquiring knowledge and experiences I can bring back to my life in Michigan, would fulfill my dream.
I have discovered an opportunity to spend the 2017 fall semester on Kibbutz Tzuba, just outside of Jerusalem, learning at Heller High School. The curriculum at Heller High includes everything I would be learning at my International Baccalaureate school in Ypsilanti, as well as intensive classes in Hebrew and Jewish history. There are also 26 field trips to places of significance in Jewish history built into and aligning with the curriculum.
As you can probably imagine, such an incredible program is very costly. I am looking for people to help support me. I am applying for several grants and scholarships, but I know that I will need additional sources of funding to make this idea a reality. If you are interested and able, I would so appreciate your support!
To me, Israel is a place of eternal beauty. There is a Midrash (or story) about Israel’s beauty. It says that G-d intentionally created Israel to have such a diverse landscape so that no matter where you came from, you would feel at home when you came to Israel. As the Midrash says: in the North, there are mountains stretching all the way to Syria, surrounding valleys of luscious greenery. In the West, there are miles of beautiful beaches with golden sand stretching into the blue-green waters of the Mediterranean. In the East, there are mountains that slope down to meet the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth. In the South, there is a desert filled with small wonders and hidden treasures. The most beautiful part, however, is in the center of Israel, where the heart of Judaism lies, Jerusalem.
Will you consider helping me get to Israel to study, and to realize my dream?
Organizer and beneficiary
Zachary Weissman
Organizer
Ypsilanti, MI
Elena Weissman
Beneficiary