A Visit to Prague and Poland (optional)
As fewer young people have first-hand connections to family members and community leaders who survived the Shoah, a visit to Prague and Poland enables students to experience, confront and ultimately gain a deep understanding of the rich but terrible history of Jewish life in Eastern Europe. The focus of the week is to understand the significance of the Shoah in its historic continuum, learning of the nearly 1000 years of Jewish life in Poland, seeing how who we are as Jews today is influenced by this history, and meeting face to face with the post-Holocaust, post-Communist Jewish communities of Prague and Poland. The General Study Program
The General Studies Program constitutes academic instruction tailored to the needs of each student as demanded by the partner school. This option is available to those schools that plan an extended Israel experience. Our Dean of General Studies will work directly with your school administrators and faculty in planning and preparation. Students will arrive in Israel prepared to continue study of their regular school curriculum. The program is designed to ensure that when students return home, they are able to immediately reenter school classes at a level commensurate with their peers. Our general studies teachers are qualified to teach the range of language, humanities, math and science courses, including science labs and all Advanced Placement offerings. The campus is an official testing site for the PSAT and AP exams. Students are provided transportation to Tel Aviv for the SAT exam. Registration for these tests takes place prior to arrival in Israel. Mifgash: Opportunities to Encounter Israeli Peers
Israeli youth are open and welcoming of special programs planned to introduce them to their "American cousins" and most schools and youth organizations in Israel respond positively to the opportunity to plan and host day-long programs, with AMIIE students. AMIIE has worked closely with Partnership 2000 communities and youth throughout the country to arrange unique gatherings addressing the goals and objectives of each partner school. The Mifgash seeks to provide the students from both communities the opportunity to learn about each other. It is important that they share feelings and experiences so that while realizing how different we may be there is much that unites us as one people. In order to do so in a meaningful way the students must spend significant time with each other in an environment that would foster friendship and camaraderie while facilitate serious discussions and activities.
Possibilities are nearly limitless - programs take place right at a community school, Israeli peers may join our students for a special joint tiyul (trip), or students may gather together for a barbeque and party on the AMIIE campus. Opportunities can be enhanced if preliminary work has been done prior to arrival in Israel, with ongoing communication and sharing between schools that culminates in the personal contact in Israel. Community Service Projects
We offer a variety of community service projects that can meet the specific goals and time allotment of each partner. Organizations readily welcome the hands and hearts of American teens who come to fulfill the mitzvah of tikun olam (repair of the world). Past projects have included: packing foodstuffs for distribution to needy families through Yad Eliezer; preparing and serving meals at Hazon Yeshaya, spending time with the elderly at Yad Lakashish; assisting at a therapeutic horse ranch; refurbishing schools and community centers; picking fruit for Table to Table; or developing a Walk-a-thon to raise money for a personal cause. Gadna: An Israel Defense Force Experience (optional)
The Gadna program is a basic introduction to the IDF for high school teens from abroad. As every Israeli teen is required to serve in the army, Gadna offers a window into what this uniquely Israeli experience is like. Time is spent learning outdoors skills and simulating what life is like on an Israeli army base. Its focus is not political or militaristic. Recreation
Recreational and enrichment activities are an important aspect of the AMIIE experience. The season and weather determines specific activities, but always the itinerary recognizes the need to just have fun! Recreation options include swimming, rappelling, jeep rides, camel and donkey rides, snorkeling, sunset boat trips, and the Yam l'Yam hike from the Mediterranean Sea to Lake Kinneret. Cultural events may include attending theater or dance performance and professional sports event, rock concert, theater and movie night. On occasion aa well known performer will be invited to our campus in Hod Hasharon. Always the schedule allows for supervised trips to the mall and food concessions to mingle with Israelis. Home Hospitality
A visit to the home of a student's family in Israel is an important part of the Israel experience. AMIIE builds into every schedule at least one "open" weekend when students may spend an extended Shabbat with family or family friends. Details are prearranged with parental permission and travel arrangements are organized by the AMIIE staff. A host will generally pick up and return the student to campus, or door to door transportation with our local taxi company will be ordered. In keeping with the organization's policy, no student may travel beyond the Green Line for this visit without a special written waiver submitted by the parents prior to travel. Free Time
Along with all the seriousness of the program, students also need time to just "chill out." For those students who are based on our campus, down time is enjoyed in a place they call "home." Additionally, while traveling, whenever and wherever possible, and always with safety and security the highest priority, students are given free time to experience Israel on their own.
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