​Newport Beach Students Speak at Local Event

Recently, Jewish National Fund-USA hosted an intimate event at the Newport Beach home of Andrew and Jordana Levine to educate community members about the organization’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss) program, a college-prep, study abroad in Israel experience for American teens.

An academic program that combines rigorous coursework with an immersive Israel studies curriculum, Muss equips students with knowledge, skills, emotional resilience, and pride to advocate for Israel and the Jewish People. The high school also gives teens the insight, ability, and emotional connection to stand tall on college campuses amidst surging hate and ignorance.

“Our son came back from Israel a changed person,” said Host Andrew Levine. “His Jewish identity was strengthened and, as Jewish parents, we feel confident that he has the ability to address any adversity that he might face as a Jewish student.”

Samson Levine and Zach Levy, who attended semesters abroad at Muss, shared firsthand accounts of their life-changing experiences with local families and Jewish National Fund-USA partners (donors) in Orange County. The students demonstrated how the program is creating a new cohort of Jewish leaders, ready to do their part to build a brighter future for every Jew and is ensuring the next generation of Jews is strong, proud, and Zionist.

The evening focused on Muss' unique curriculum, which allows high school students to earn full academic credit while living and learning in Israel for a semester or summer session. Presenters discussed Muss's hands-on approach to education, leveraging Israel's rich history to offer an unparalleled learning experience. This immersive method allows students to deeply engage with Jewish heritage and modern Israeli society, fostering a deep connection to Jewish history, culture, and the land and people of Israel.

"It definitely strengthened my Judaism while I was there…you feel it almost inside of you,” said fall 2023 Muss alumnus Zach Levy.

Samson Levine, who attended the program in the fall of 2021, added, “Before attending Muss, I was confident in my Jewish identity, but I didn’t feel super connected to it. Going to Muss and learning the true foundation of Israel made me feel like I was part of a bigger Jewish family and that we are all connected. My experiences at Muss helped me see how important it is to protect my heritage. It gave me the tools to combat antisemitism, which I have had to do while away in college.”

Zach Levy emphasized how Muss changed his life in just a few months, despite his program being cut short due to the war breaking out on October 7. “Attending Muss has brought me closer to Israel and my Judaism,” said Levy.

Before departing the campus, he and the other students wrote letters and made care packages for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and displaced Israeli families and raised $145,000 for those affected by the war. “Before we left Israel, we were able to see pictures from the soldiers who received our packages and they were extremely appreciative. This gave us a stronger sense of purpose and made us feel even more connected to Israel,” added Levy.

As interest in Muss continues to grow in Southern California, this event marks an important step in expanding the program's reach and impact in the Orange County Jewish community.

For more information about Alexander Muss High School in Israel, please visit amhsi.org.