Kadima Travels

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

We left early this morning and headed north to kibbutz Ein Shemer. In 1927, the first pioneers of HaShomer HaTzair arrived at the site. The group consisted of 18 women and 36 men, all in their late teens and early twenties. These youngsters, from Poland, left behind parents, homes, and future careers in order to fulfill their dream of revitalizing the Jewish people in its ancient homeland, to work the land with their own hands and to make the Zionist vision come true. We then made our way to Caesarea. The town was built by Herod the Great about 25–13 BCE as the port city Caesarea Maritima. After that we visited Ramat Hanadiv where Edmond de Rothschild and his wife are buried.. For his Jewish philanthropy Baron Edmond became known as "Hanadiv HaYadu'a" (Hebrew for "The Known Benefactor" or "The Famous Benefactor") and in his memory his son bequeathed the funds to construct the building for the Knesset. We ended our day strolling through Zikhron Ya'akov which was founded in December 1882 by 100 Jewish pioneers from Romania.

In 1883, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild became the patron of the settlement and drew up plans for its residential layout and agricultural economy.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Washington DC Day 2

Students have experienced many aspects of the learned available in Washington DC. In addition to visiting the Ford Theater, they spent time in the Smithsonian and were able to visit several historic monuments today, including the White House, Capitol Building, and Jefferson Memorial.

The body of work written about Lincoln

Jefferson Memorial

White House

Capitol Building

Monday, May 1, 2017

Washington DC - Day 1

This week, Kadima 6th and 7th graders will be visiting the Washington DC area as part of their social studies unit. Today, they explored Jamestown, Virginia, which was the site of the first permanent settlement in the Americas in 1607. Students were able to visit the site of an archaeological dig, and encountered glass blowers and "pioneers" that allowed them to relive the moments that started what at the time was a new nation in the new world. Students met costumed historical interpreters who described and demonstrated daily colonial life. From Jamestown, students traveled to Colonial Williamsburg, where they saw an interpretation of a colonial American city and exhibits of for restored buildings, including the Capitol Building. This form of experiential education allowed our Kadima students to learn history by living history in a classroom without limits.

Archaeological Dig

Colonial Williamsburg Capitol Building

The High Court

Yom Hazikaron

The piercing sound of the sirens cried out on behalf of 25,350 people who have died fighting for Israel's existence. As we sat under the hot sun, the chills ran down our spine as we heard the stories, songs and poetry of moms longing for their sons, sisters crying for their brothers, and a young country mourning the loss of her people. We were so proud of our 8th graders who read a touching poem, "My Boy" in front of about 600 students, parents and alumni soldiers and guests. Tonight we transition from immense sadness to joy and celebration of Israel's 69th birthday!