Atlanta Teens Explore Their Heritage

Taylor Michel-Wolf is working on a scrapbook. The pictures lay strewn across the table, each one capturing a moment across four memorable months on The Weber School student’s semester-abroad program in Israel.

“I’m remembering things as I put out all the pictures, and looking at them at once, it’s amazing,” she said. “What kind of program and school lets you do so many incredible things?”

The institution Michel-Wolf refers to is the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), Jewish National Fund-USA’s college-prep, semester abroad experience. Blending traditionally accredited classroom studies with a unique experiential Israel studies curriculum that uses the land and people of Israel as a living classroom, Muss creates lasting connections between Jewish teens and their homeland while providing deep academic enrichment.

“The context of everything discussed during the semester was so well done,” said Michel-Wolf. “It really helped with the experience and enhanced the learning, because you understood the culture and the history better.”

Isaac Katz, another Atlanta student, felt the same way.

“My experience was amazing,” he said. “I learned so much about Israel and being able to actually visit what you learn is an amazing experience. It’s crazy, and I’m very thankful that I got that.”

High school junior Lauren Nelson heard about Muss from, of all things, Instagram.

“Mutual friends posted about their experiences, and it looked like they were having the time of their lives,” she said. “The combination of adventure, education, and connection to Israel was something I knew I had to experience for myself.”

When she did, it was everything she hoped it would be and more. “It was absolutely life-changing,” Nelson said. “There simply is no substitute for visiting and experiencing Israel. Beyond the amazing friendships and unforgettable adventures, Muss taught me to step out of my comfort zone and helped prepare me for independence in college.”

Known for its educational tiyulim (trips), Muss took students across the country, learning about Israel’s history as they traveled. The trips are diverse in nature, so each student’s favorite can differ.

Muss students in Jerusalem for Shabbat.

“I really loved the Bar Kochba caves,” said Michel-Wolf. “We got to go army crawling through the tunnels. Eventually, we got to this room, turned off all of our flashlights, and we sang ‘Hatikvah.’ It was so inspiring, and so Jewish in the best way possible.”

“Tzfat was definitely one of the most memorable tiyulim,” said Nelson, who took an interest in the capital of Israeli mysticism. “I didn’t really understand much about Kabbalah before going, but seeing Tzfat put life into it. No other place in the world has such a mix of history, art, and spirituality combined. It is truly one of the strangest, yet most magical places I have ever been.”

Katz recalled a particularly memorable holiday in Jerusalem’s Old City. “We had Simchat Torah in Jerusalem, and we had the opportunity for a morning sunrise prayer,” he said. “A few kids and I went and got a chance to read from the Torah, which was an amazing experience.”

While Michel-Wolf spent some of her childhood in Israel and knew the cultural differences, the other students learned just as much from Israelis on the streets of Hod Hasharon as they did in the classroom.

“Israelis have this incredible hustle, drive, and directness that I came to admire,” said Nelson. “They live unapologetically with so much passion and purpose. It gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to live with intention and resilience.”

These experiences had a significant impact on the students’ Jewish identities, making them feel closer to their heritage and homeland.

Muss students are pictured in Lancut, Poland.

“Before the semester, I didn’t really have a perspective or opinion about Judaism; it was just a fact,” said Michel-Wolf. “But when I went to Muss, and I saw everyone doing services and engaging, it got me thinking about what I wanted my Judaism to look like, and the program really helped develop that.”

“Muss definitely impacted how I feel about my Israeli identity,” added Katz. “I know I want to go back.”

Now back in America, all three students are singing the program’s praises to anyone who will listen to their Atlanta peers. “Absolutely, without question, I would recommend Muss to anyone,” said Nelson. “Muss is so much more than a trip; it’s an opportunity to grow, learn, and connect to yourself on a deeper level. You will come home with more confidence, knowledge, and inspiration than anything at home could give you.”

And once you arrive?

“You’re in Israel,” said Katz. “Take advantage of that opportunity and have the best time possible.”

To learn more about Alexander Muss High School in Israel’s semester and summer programs, please visit amhsi.org.