Ta'Am Yisrael

From the Desk of Anne Lidsky
February 5 - 12, 2007

Hiking, the Kotel, archeological digs, Masada, more hiking, hospital visits, performing mitzvot, enjoying lots of food, visiting an army base, swimming in the Dead Sea ... ah, only in Israel. You are probably thinking the trip took at least two weeks, but, believe it or not, this experience was a six-day whirlwind! Ta’am Yisrael, a Taste of Israel, is a city-wide opportunity for 8th graders that takes place annually in February. Ta’am 2007 involved 180 8th graders and a staff of 40 adults. This year, as last year, I had the joy of participating.

After many hours of pre-trip planning and get-togethers, we boarded El Al for an experience of a lifetime. You can only imagine the power of 220 individuals traveling together. Although we were divided into six buses, we were one community. We prayed, sang, ate and danced together. We rode camels, had dinner in a Bedouin tent and climbed Masada at 5:00 a.m. to see the sunrise. We climbed through tunnels and hiked through a wadi. The Kotel, the Western Wall, inspired us, the army base impressed us and our visit to a hospital pediatric unit moved us to tears. We mingled with Israeli youth, watched performances by Israeli artists and listened to a survivor who was one of Anne Frank’s best friends.

This is a must experience for every 8th grader! Parents of 7th graders – please attend informational meetings for Ta’am 2008! The trip is highly subsidized, perfectly safe and so powerfully influential on one’s Jewish identity. Joyfully, several Jeremiah 8th graders were part of this community and their words say it all:

Alexandra Fuhr: “This trip was extremely memorable. We were so fortunate to go all the places we did. Jerusalem was particularly exciting. We met wonderful and extraordinary people such as Anne Frank’s friend. I would not trade this trip for anything!”

Eric Grossman: “I enjoyed several activities on Ta’am – too many to mention. Two events that were the most fun for me: the Israeli dancing at the Sheraton Hotel was great and I liked meeting and interacting with the Israeli teens in their town.”

Nathaniel Moyer: “Ta’am Yisrael was a great experience. I made a ton of new friends and learned so much about the history of Israel. I would definitely go back again.”

Zach Hyman: “Ta’am Yisrael was awesome! I made new friends and got to see many sights of Israel.”

Eli Cohen: “Israel was the greatest trip! I particularly liked the hiking at Ein Ovadat and the jeep ride through the desert.”

- Anne Lidsky, Ph.D., RJE

- Reprinted from the April, 2007 Covenant

View information on the 2006 Taam Yisrael trip.