B'YACHAD SPRING 2012

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ALEXANDER MUSS HIGH SCHOOL IN ISRAEL

Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow ALUMNI RETURNING FROM AMHSI

AMHSI prepares students to become successful leaders in our society and Jewish communities worldwide, paving the way for the future of the Jewish community as a whole. Some notable AMHSI alumni include: • Sheryl Sandberg—COO of Facebook—ranked #5 by Forbes in 2011 on the list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. • Wayne Firestone—President of Hillel (international foundation for Jewish college campus life). • OAR band members Marc Roberge and Chris Culos, who attended AMHSI together, and fellow AMHSI alum Benjamin Gershman credit their debut album to their inspirational experience atop Masada. • Noam Neusner and Scott Arogeti—Former White House liaisons to the Jewish community. • Debra Zane—Award-winning Hollywood casting director for movies such as the Twilight Saga, Ocean’s Eleven, and Men In Black. • Robin Dermer—BMI award-winning songwriter and producer. • Lauren Weisberger—Bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada and other novels. • Matisyahu—Popular recording artist, originally Matthew Miller, who has changed the face of reggae and hip hop music. He has said, “I think that AMHSI was probably the first time in my life I felt that being Jewish was something that was important and that there was something to be discovered.” Though it is difficult to quantify the immediate results of an experiential program, alumni continue to prove that the impact of participating in AMHSI programs can have lifelong effects on participants, who in turn positively impact their communities and our collective future. Today’s AMHSI students will undoubtedly be tomorrow’s generation of Jewish leaders—your rabbi, your doctor, maybe even our country’s future president. n

SESSION December 2012 January 2013 April 2013 Summer 1 2013 Summer 2 2013

DEPART November 27 January 22 April 9 June 18 June 26

RETURN January 22, 2013 March 19 June 4 July 30 August 7

Eight-week and six-week sessions available.

FULL SEMESTER PROGRAM NOW OFFERED For those wanting more than the traditional eight-week AMHSI session, the new full semester program develops a deeper exposure to, and connection with, Israel. Based at the new campus in the Negev, a joint JNF/AMHSI initiative at Eshel Hanassi Youth Village, the full semester session builds upon the core AMHSI curriculum, and also includes additional features such as Hebrew classes (ulpan), mock army training, and a four-day hike across the country from “sea to sea”—the Galilee to the Mediterranean. The semester also includes a week in Poland focused on studying the Holocaust, continuing the AMHSI educational methodology of learning on-site where history took place. Experience history and gain valuable skills and independence that will prepare you for college, all while having an incredible and fun time! Sign up today for an upcoming semester abroad: Fall 2012—August 26 - December 28, 2012 Spring 2013—January 27 - May 31, 2013 Fall 2013—August 25 - December 27, 2013 For more information, visit amhsi.org/semester. To see some of the JLIM highlights at AMHSI, go to amhsi.org/JLIM.

BECOME AN “AMBASSADOR” AND WIN COOL PRIZES If you’re an alum, you already know how unique AMHSI is and you want all your friends and family to have the exceptional AMHSI experience too. Now you can earn rewards for spreading the word. AMHSI has launched a new referral program that gives you the chance to earn points for every student you refer! Even if you are not an alum of AMHSI, you can still be an Ambassador and spread the word about this unique program. You could even win a trip to Israel! For more details, visit www.amhsi.org/ambassador and start referring your friends today!

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consistently use adjectives such as “amazing,” “life–changing,” and “indescribable” when talking about their experience. It is often hard to put their intellectual, emotional, and spiritual journey into words, but when they do, they talk about the impact the program had on them: the new way they see themselves, the world around them, their place in history, and their visions for their futures. Students come back with a new appreciation for Jewish history and heritage and their connection to it. Many students return to their schools with improved grades and parents are impressed by the mature, responsible teenager that returns to them after two months abroad. While each student’s experience is unique, one cannot overlook the important contribution AMHSI has made to the leadership and educational fabric of the North American Jewish community. Over the past 40 years, AMHSI’s 20,000 alumni have gone on to become successful doctors, rabbis, and lawyers—many crediting not only their pursuit of Jewish education and identity, but also their overall academic and professional success to their experience at AMHSI. In a study commissioned by AMHSI and conducted by the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA), the AMHSI program was proven to be among the most effective in achieving its goals: • 95% of alumni rated the program as one of the most influential experiences in their lives. • 88% have married a Jewish spouse. • 70% between the ages of 28-49 contribute to Jewish charities. • 65% participate in Jewish/Zionist organizations. • 63% are members of a synagogue (nearly four times the percentage of American Jews belonging to a synagogue, according to the National Jewish Population Survey findings).

UPCOMING SESSIONS ALEXANDER MUSS HIGH SCHOOL IN ISRAEL

AMHSI promotes, builds, and strengthens lifelong bonds between youth and Israel through the study of the history and culture of the people of Israel. AMHSI is a premier academic experience in Israel that prepares students for college and beyond. Since its founding in 1972, AMHSI has successfully impacted over 20,000 students. To learn more, visit amhsi.org or call 800-327-5980.


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