Itzik Joins Seniors To Discuss Israel Trip

by Shir Levenson, SSLI '26

Last night, seniors and their parents attended a meeting to discuss their upcoming Israel trip. Every spring, the seniors travel to Israel to visit, tour, learn, and experience Israeli culture together. The meeting was for students and their parents to begin to think about what the trip will look like and its importance. Itzik Yanai, the guide that has been touring Schechter seniors for many years, spoke at the meeting as well.

Students and parents learned important information from Itzik last night. (Y. Pedram)

Senior Elinor Schlissel explained that the goals of the meeting were to “go over the itinerary for the whole trip and to give everyone the opportunity to ask any questions they had about any part of the trip. We also got to meet our tour guide, Itzik, which is exciting.”

The trip is usually three weeks long, and students get to experience the many parts of Israel from the historical holy sites to the modern cities and everything in between. Schlissel explained, “I am looking forward to going to Israel and to finally see, as a grade, the culture, place, and people we have been learning about for so long and get to use our Hebrew skills we have been developing for years in Israel.”

Since the war began over a year ago, and one of Schechter’s alumni, Omer Neutra, has been held hostage in Gaza for over 400 days, it's immensely important to advocate and show support for the State of Israel. Schlissel said, “I am hoping that we will have volunteer opportunities while we are there, so we can give back to our Jewish community who have been fighting tirelessly to protect us. We have been doing our part here in America to help in any way we can, but I am hoping we will have the chance to do more hands-on helping in Israel.”

Ofra Hiltzik, the head of the school, shared, “The emphasis [of the meeting and trip] was of our commitment, as a Jewish day school, to the state of Israel and hoping that more and more are going to show up and are going to support.”

The seniors are so excited for so excited for Israel (with Itzik)! (S. Chernoff)

Hiltzik explained how important it is to visit the Land of Israel because “this is one of the ways to show who we are and what we’ve learned.”

Prior to the meeting, Schlissel expressed her hope that “a lot of the questions and apprehension regarding the safety of the trip will be addressed because [she] know[s] that is a big factor and concern for most people this year.”

Liam Golan, a senior, reflected, “The meeting made me feel much better about safety and the plans for the trip. I am so excited to go to Israel and support the Jewish community as we pray for better days ahead.”

Shir Levenson is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since December 2022. Shir is currently a junior at Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: slevenson26@schechterli.org