On land and by the sea. That is how a visiting member of the Israeli Scouts (Tzofim) tested the geographic knowledge of Solomon Schechter’s third graders this week as they placed the names of Israel’s cities and seas on a large floor map and jumped from location to location. Beginning in the school’s early childhood program and throughout its curriculum, Schechter cultivates an understanding of the geography, history and language of the land, as well as a love of Israeli culture, food and music – all of which helps make the Jewish homeland an active part of students’ lives. By the time the graduating eighth graders embark on a two-week journey to Israel, they have developed enduring connections to the land and its people that stretch to high school and beyond.

This program was brought to Schechter with the cooperation and partnership of the IAC/Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey and the Israeli Tzofim. The program is led by Shahar Firan, Israeli shlihah, head counselor of Shevet Metzada, the Tenafly N.J. chapter of the Israeli Scouts. The program is in collaboration with Shevet Metzada, a youth-led program for children in grades four-12, at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, which conducts weekly activities in Hebrew promoting Jewish and Israeli values, youth leadership and empowerment.