Jewish Community High School

Israel Education is a pillar of the curriculum at the Jewish Community High School (JCHS). We firmly believe that American Jewish Identity and Israel go hand in hand and we foster this connection between our two communities through formal and informal programming.

JCHS collaborates with local, national, and international organizations that share our vision of Israel Education including AIPAC (The American Israel Political Affairs Committee), The David Project, CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America), The Israeli Consulate, The Israel and Overseas Office of The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and RealLife Israel (a division of MASA).

In addition, JCHS in partnership with JFGP, in sponsorship of a program called i2i I’m going to Israel. This exciting Israel educational and travel immersion program offers 8th graders a memorable experience after their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The program gives participants a meaningful, emotional and focused taste of their heritage with interactive educational experiences in the Philadelphia area, then a ten day experience in Israel. There are educational and leadership programs during the 9th grade year which are all part of the program.

Through our program, students:

1. Learn the roots of contemporary State of Israel, its people, and the historical and religious connection to the Land.
2. Discover the ever evolving bond between the Land, the State and the Jewish People.
3. Experience a thematic approach to Israel Education through a thoughtful lens of subjects and values pertaining to the American Jewish community today.
4. Select from a wide array of courses including society, culture and politics, and current challenges. Students explore the differences and commonalities between American and Israeli society while furthering the bond between the two.
5. Can become proficient in Hebrew language, with its emphasis on verbal skills.
6. Can take Israel courses college credit through our Concurrent Enrollment Program if they are juniors or seniors.
7. Become familiar with the many options available for spending a summer or a gap year abroad through our annual Israel Program Fair and one-on-one consultation with JCHS faculty.
8. Build connections with the local greater Philadelphia pro-Israel community.
9. Participate in select conferences, such as AIPAC’s  Schusterman Advocacy Institute High School Summit, Saban Leadership Seminar, and a Philadelphia Israel Impact Day in Washington, DC.