Sophomore Leora Nimmer last month left the doors of Shalhevet just after finals to join TRY, a program in Israel that allows high school students to study for a semester in Israel. After four years in both the Shalhevet middle and high schools, she felt compelled to change things up and spend the semester away from home.
“Since I had been at Shalhevet since seventh grade, I felt like I was stuck within the Shalhevet boundaries for longer than everyone else,” Leora said. “So I decided that in the middle of my Shalhevet career I’d leave abroad for a semester.”
TRY, which is short for Tichun Ramah Yerushalayim, is based in Jerusalem. It appealed to her because of the fact that it was in Israel and was under similar leadership as her camp.
“The basis of the program is to find your connection to Israel and religion not by visiting, but by actually living in Israel and learning to love the land,” Leora said.
Students go on tiyuls, or trips, to different historical and modern cities throughout Israel. Leora is also taking an Israel Core Course, which allows the students to learn outside of the classroom environment. Twice a week, participants enjoy a free night to explore the city.
Now that she’s arrived safely in Israel, Leora’s main focus is to keep her grades up for the semester. She lives in a dorm with two other roommates.
She said she’s taking all the same classes that she had in first semester at Shalhevet, because the program works hard to meet each child’s unique high school requirements so they don’t fall behind.
In Leora’s case, 10th Grade Lead Advisor Mrs. Tove Sunshine was consulted.
“I spoke with David Nimmer about the program and passed on the information to the teachers,” said Mrs. Sunshine, who then compiled second semester requirements from each of Leora’s teachers.
Leora hopes that when she arrives back June 6, she will reconnect with all her good friends from Shalhevet. Her friends feel the same way.
“I miss Leora so much, but I know she’s having a fantastic time in Israel,” said sophomore Erin Sharfman.
