Connecting with Israel
הסברה למען ישראל
A cornerstone of an Ida Crown Jewish Academy education is fostering a love for and a commitment to Israel.
Annually, over 90 percent of our seniors attend a program in Israel during their gap year between high school and college. Our Dean, Rabbi Matanky, conducts intake interviews with prospective students by introducing them to what he calls our “Five-Year Program.”
Our students go on to contribute to Israel by promoting Israel on campus, serving in the IDF or sheirut leumi or making aliyah. Some of our alumni classes are composed of so many olim, that we hold alumni reunions in Israel!
No other high school in the Midwest demonstrates such a high level of commitment to Israel. Love for Israel – it’s land and people – imbues every aspect of our school. Students daven for Israel, learn about Israeli history and politics, speak with Israelis in Hebrew classes on Zoom, and regularly welcome visitors and speakers from Israel to our school. Each year, students take part in workshops on countering anti-Israel bias run by Stand with Us and other Jewish organizations, gaining vital skills in discussing Israel and Israeli politics. Our Israel Advocacy Club educates our entire student body about developments in Israel, and empowers students to take actions such as lobbying their representatives and rallying for Israel.
Perhaps no other week at ICJA reinforces our values more than the week of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. In two days’ time, members of our school community come together to connect to Israel and, inevitably, to one another. And as they celebrate Israel’s past, present and future, each student considers his or her own place in our collective story.
During the entire week before Yom HaZikaron, students spend their Hebrew classes in phenomenal programming focusing on the lives of different victims and the depth of sorrow left by the lives they lost.
The Yom HaAtzmaut program leaves an indelible mark on students. In the morning, students enjoy a special all-school davening, then welcome Israel’s Consul General to the Midwest to our school. For one day, ICJA is transformed into a mini-Israel, with students recreating Israel experiences such as learning, enjoying homemade pita and hummus, making fresh orange juice and iced coffee drinks, strolling through a recreated shuk – even riding a camel! In the afternoon, students enjoy a festive meal and dancing. Spirited dancing begins in the gym and then continues outside for all passersby to see. While music blasts from speakers outside, it is often apparent that students’ voices are much stronger. Each year it is a program that students will remember for years to come.
As anyone who experiences these celebrations knows, these days comprise one of the most important aspects of our ICJA education. It’s one of the times when school feels more like camp, imbuing into the hearts of students a love and spirit for Torah and Israel that can only come from experiential Jewish moments.
The spirit of our students dancing, singing and yearning to go to Israel launches them into a future of connection to Israel and the Jewish people.
Ida Crown students also develop a deep love for Israel through their classroom lessons, Hebrew language courses, special Israel programming and a “Hot Topics: Israel in the News” Senior Seminar.