Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School

October 21 - A Full and Beautiful Day

2009-10-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

We had an early wakeup call this morning to make our 8:00 tour of the White House. Although we didn't see the First Family, we enjoyed walking in the footsteps of our Presidents. We spent the rest of the afternoon at different Smithsonian Museums. We visited the American History, Natural History, and Air and Space Museums.

We then took a leisurely walk across the Mall as we walked from the Capitol all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. It was a beautiful walk on a 70° day. We stopped to think about the thousands of people who were here to see President Obama's Inauguration. Later, we ate sandwiches and ice cream and played Frisbee.

The highlight of the day was that, as we walked past the Washington Monument, we saw a helicopter over our heads. We saw that President Obama was in it! We immediately ran to the gates of White House to see the helicopter land on the South Lawn.

Watch a slideshow of the day:

Click on the slideshow to enlarge it.

Rick then took us through the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials, where once again, we stopped to appreciate and pay our respects to those who serve our country. It was amazing to see the number of war veterans who were paying their respects to those with whom they fought.

We concluded this special day and amazing trip at the Lincoln Memorial as the sunset glowed on the reflecting pool. We all had a chance to stand in the exact spot where Martin Luther King gave his "I Have a Dream Speech." We had chills as we sat on the steps and listened to a recording of his speech. We finished by gazing out on the reflecting pool, and each of us shared a personal memory of the trip.

October 20 - Touring D. C.

2009-10-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today was another wonderful day filled with excitement, sightseeing, adventures, and learning. We started the morning at the Arlington National Cemetery where we witnessed the Changing of the Guards Ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknowns and saw the Kennedys' gravesites. We took time to think about the soldiers who risked their lives so that we could live in a country with freedom.

After having lunch at a Jewish kosher deli, we went to the Bureau of Engraving to see how money is actually made. Even though most of us have never been there before, we realized the money in our pocket has! We then enjoyed giving that money back in the gift shop, where we purchased souvenirs.

The mood changed as we then went to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The artifacts, images, and videos, not only reminded us of the horrors of the Holocaust, but it also reminded us of the importance of being up-standers in a world where hatred still exists.

After the museum, we grouped together and debriefed about what this all meant to us. We took time to hold hands, form a circle, and say the Kaddish. Then we said the Shehecheyanu so that we could thank G-D for giving us the freedom to live as Jews and the good fortune to have all that we have.

Watch a slideshow of the day:

Click to enlarge the slideshow.
Our day concluded with a sunset bike tour around the Federal Triangle. We biked past the White House, Jefferson Memorial, and Roosevelt Memorial. We are excited about tomorrow’s White House tour at 8:00 A.M.

By contributing editors - Parker, Matthew, and Max

October 19 - Washington D. C.

2009-10-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the top of the Washington Monument. It was a beautiful clear day, and we could see over 30 miles in every direction. We saw the Capitol, the White House, and even President Obama's motorcade!

We also went to the World War II Memorial. Rick made history come alive as he talked about World War II and what led up to the war. This memorial makes you remember the battles that were won and the sacrifices that so many made.

We figured out the subways.

Larry took us to his cookie and ice-cream shop!

We also went to the National Archives and saw the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We walked to the Capitol and took the Parade Route, the very same path that the President takes on Inauguration Day. At the Captiol, we were given a private tour by one of Congressman Brad Sherman's pages, and we even sat in the House of Representatives Gallery.

October 18 - On the Road Again!

2009-10-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

After four thrilling days in New York, we traveled by taxi, train, bus, and foot to get to our Nation's Capital.

The rain let up, and we are very excited to be here in Washington D.C. We had enough time to visit the Iwo Jima Memorial before sunset.

October 17

2009-10-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

More pizza in New York.

Then we are off to see Wicked on Broadway.

October 16 - Having Fun in Manhattan

2009-10-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like pizza in New York!

We had fun in the M&M's Store in Times Square.

October 15 - Our Immigrant Heritage

2009-10-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

This morning, we braved the wind, cold, and rain and took the subway to Battery Park to meet Heschel alumnus, Randy Rishe ’99, who is a park ranger stationed here in New York.

We took the ferry to Ellis Island and Randy gave us a private tour. It was haunting to enter the arrival hall, knowing that many of our ancestors passed through the very rooms we walked today. It is hard to image how it must have felt to come to a strange country with few belongings and little understanding of the language, culture, and customs only to be questioned, examined, and then released into New York City.

Randy also took us to the Statue of Liberty, and we got to go inside!

October 14 - We're Here!

2009-10-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

After a very early start to the day, we arrived safely in New York City, ready to begin our East Coast adventure. It is so cold, but nothing is going to stop us. We had dinner at Mama Sbarro’s, and took in the sights, sounds, and lights of Time Square.

Next, we headed to Rockefeller Center for ice-skating.

Pre-Trip Itinerary

2009-10-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 12
In order to put a human face on the memorials and monuments we will visit in Washington D.C., we have designed several activities with the help of the people at Operation Gratitude. We will hear from Captain Elan Carr, a uniformed Special Operations Officer who is a member of the Los Angeles Jewish Community and who serves in special operations and counter terrorism missions. Students will make Hanukiot for the Members of the Tribe Project which provides Jewish religious items to U. S. troops in the field.

Watch a slideshow of the day:

Click to enlarge or slow down slideshow.
Friday, October 9

Students will celebrate Simchat Torah and prepare for their exciting journeys to the East Coast.

Thursday, October 8

Prior to their departure for the East Coast, eighth graders will experience a mix of unique educational, recreational and community service experiences.

Click on photographs to englarge them.

Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City: Picture of the Year Exhibition

This show displays the work of winning photojournalists and is the oldest and most prestigious photojournalism competition in the world.

Click here to see and hear interviews with photographers from the exhibition.

Daily Itinerary in Brief

2009-10-07T09:33:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, October 14

3:25 p.m. Arrive at JFK
Times Square

Thursday, October 15
Battery Park: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Ground Zero
Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Rockefeller Center: Ice-Skating

Friday, October 16
MOMA (Museum of Modern Art)
Possibly: New York Stock Exchange
Shabbat dinner at the Manhattan JCC
Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday, October 17
Services at Bnai Jeshurun Synagogue
Central Park
Broadway Show: Wicked

Sunday, October 18
Travel to Washington D. C.
Iwo Jima Memorial

Monday, October 19
White House Viewing Center
Washington Monument
National Archives and Records Administration
Capitol Hill Tour

Tuesday, October 20
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Holocaust Museum
Bike Tour of Memorials

Wednesday, October 21
Arlington National Cemetery: Changing of the Guard
National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall
Smithsonian Museums
Vietnam, Korean, and Lincoln Memorials

Thursday, October 22
Leave Washington D. C. for Long Beach Airport
Arrive at Long Beach Airport at 10:01 a.m.

Welcome to Our Blog!

2009-10-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

On October 14th, we will depart on an exploration of American History and Jewish identity as we begin a nine day journey to the East Coast including visits to Washington, D. C. and New York City. This blog is an ongoing project, so that we can share with you, our friends and family, glimpses and reflections of what we have seen and experienced.

What is a blog?
A blog is a website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in reverse chronological order. Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject; in this case, it will be our journey to the East Coast. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to web pages, and other media related to its topic. The term "blog" is a contraction of "web log." "Blog" may also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

We invite you to follow us on our journey each day.