Twenty students accompanied by Rabbi Jonathan Kroll and Ms. Shira Schiowitz traveled to Israel to run in the Jerusalem marathon. While some students ran the half marathon and some ran a 10K, they all had the experience of a lifetime on this incredible trip and raised money for Shalva. The students spent time with Shalva kids on Thursday and at the marathon in the pre-marathon community run, then enjoyed a beautiful Shabbat with other schools who were in Israel on the Shalva trip. On Sunday, SAR students went to Tel HaShomer Hospital to speak to injured soldiers, Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, and a hotel in Jerusalem where evacuees from Shlomi are staying. Another group picked asparagus on a farm near Modiin.

During this same time, Prizmah ran a mission for 22 Israel educators from North America, thanks to a generous grant from the Jim Joseph Foundation. The mission’s focus was on the question: ““What has changed—and what hasn’t changed—since October 7 that impacts Israel education in Jewish day schools?” Ms. Rebecca Wolf, SAR’s Israel education coordinator, represented SAR on the mission. The participants heard from thought leaders and educators in Israel and visited Otef Aza. They met with educators and students in Ofaqim and heard how they have been coping since October 7. The group visited Har Herzl and discussed how to commemorate Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut this year. The mission concluded with a morning at the newly opened National Library to learn about tools they have for educators then spent an afternoon at Hostage Square.