Over the last two weeks, our 8th graders had the opportunity to experience the Jewish heritage and culture of Italy, past and present. As traveling to Israel was not an option this year, their Tiyul (trip) took them to Italy, where they explored the current and historical elements that make the country unique. The trip allowed students to explore many different areas of the country, each with its own ties to Judaism and Italian culture.

Guiding a group of 13-to-14-year-olds, we strove to find the right balance of learning and fun to help them connect with each other and the places they visited. From Pitigliano, formerly known as “Little Jerusalem,” to Florence, Ferrara, Venice, Rome, Pompeii, and Naples, students saw a variety of ways that Jewish communities have existed and continue to thrive. They learned about the ways in which Jewish history is reflected inside the walls of the Vatican and the Roman Forum.

They also had the chance to experience an Italian service at the Great Synagogue of Rome, where traditions and practices were established prior to the fall of the Second Temple in 70 CE. There was also plenty of food and shopping! Students had the opportunity to explore classic sites, visit shops, and sample local cuisine in each city. Watching the students make connections between their last 10–11 years at Bernard Zell, their Jewish identity, and their classmates created the experience of a lifetime—one that they will take with them as they move on to high school and beyond.

Below you will find reflections from a few of our 8th-grade students.

Rafi T.

After hearing that instead of going to Israel we would be going to Italy, there were a lot of emotions. The moment we started our trip, though, everyone knew that Tiyul was going to be something special that just our grade would share. It would be something that no other grade got to do and it was going to bring us closer together. This trip was like the final chapter to the last 11 years of our lives.

Nearly every meal we ate was in the Jewish ghetto of whatever city we were in. Florence, Venice, and Rome each had a very different Jewish ghetto. A long, long time ago Jews were imprisoned there, but today they thrive with rich Jewish culture. At some places we ate, there was only one long table and those were so much fun. You were surrounded by your friends and all you did was eat, talk, and laugh. Every conversation led to jokes and laughter which made every meal special. Not only was the food amazing, but being able to have your own meals and experiences was a really special thing to do.

We had one Shabbat that we celebrated in Rome. It holds one of the most beautiful synagogues I have ever seen, known as the Great Synagogue of Rome. Something that stood out to me was that the service was really hard to follow—there was no one shouting out a page number or giving any cues. It was something that we had never experienced before. That is what made it so special. It was a Shabbat that we will never forget because we will never experience something like it ever again.

Reid P.

For a place so rooted in ancient history, you would not expect a lot of Jewish history, but you would be wrong. From the sieges of Jerusalem to the Great Synagogue of Rome, the timeline of Jews in Italy spans over the land's whole history.

In the Roman Forum, there is the Arch of Titus. It was built in commemoration of the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans. On one side of the Arch, there is a depiction of Jews carrying the golden menorah out of the temple back to Rome. Despite this hard moment in Jewish history, now Italy has a thriving Jewish community with restaurants, synagogues, and schools.

The food in Italy is so good and even while observing kosher dietary restrictions, we had amazing meals. Every meal was special because at this point we are running out of time together, so the moments where we all sat at long tables and talked, laughed, ate, and enjoyed each other’s company were so precious. The experiences we have had on this trip and the time we have spent with each other have just been amazing. This was the final chapter in the book of the class of 2026.

Lila S.

Tiyul was so much fun! Over the past two weeks, we have bonded with our grade, formed new connections, and learned about Italian culture. In Venice, I loved the colorful buildings and riding a boat to get from place to place. Another highlight was biking through Villa Borghese in Central Rome on a quad with my teacher and friends; we were all laughing the whole time. We also went to the market at Campo di Fiori that felt like a shuk, and it was so much fun to browse and buy things with my friends. Overall, Italy was so fun, and I hope I am able to go back soon!