STUDENT REFLECTION: THE 8TH GRADE ISRAEL EXPERIENCE

Abrams Hebrew Academy 8th graders visit multiple historical and cultural sites across Israel every year. Abrams Alumna, Lia Seiden shared how the Abrams Israel trip deepened her connection to Jewish heritage and identity. From memorial visits to experiencing Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel, the trip turned learning into living.

“We didn’t just study Jewish history — we stood in it.”
Lia Seiden, Abrams Alumna

We are so proud of Lia and all of our 8th graders for representing Abrams with pride, compassion, and strength during their time in Israel — living the values they’ve learned and carrying the spirit of Abrams wherever they go.

“On this trip, I felt connected to our homeland and our people in a way that no classroom experience alone could fully provide,” said Seiden. “My classmates and I were able to turn our learning into living. We didn’t just talk about Am Yisrael — we felt part of it. We went to the Nova Festival Memorial and Yad Vashem, and we saw pictures of the hostages displayed in every city that we visited. Experiencing Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We didn’t just study Jewish history — we stood in it.”

“Since Oct. 7, we’ve seen hate spread quickly. We’ve witnessed how easily lies can be told, how fear can silence voices, and how hard it may be to speak up. But we are not powerless,” continued Seiden. “The education that I received at Abrams, which culminated in our amazing trip to Israel, helped my classmates and me to stand tall — to respond to hate with knowledge, and to defend Israel not out of obligation, but out of love.

Attending a Jewish day school didn’t just give me a foundation; it gave me my Jewish identity. And I know that it will always be a part of me.”

Read the article in the Jewish Philly Blog.