Muss Blog

Student stories, staff perspectives, and study-abroad tips from the Muss community.

Alumni Spotlight

Leah Bolotina | December 22, 2025

Why Studying Abroad Changed My Life

Before going to Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), I had never been to Israel. I didn’t have any relatives living there, so most of what I “knew” about Israel came from the news — and unfortunately, much of that was filled with hate,

Alumni Spotlight

Ariel Berger - Spring Semester 2025 | July 24, 2025

From New Hampshire to Israel: A Journey I’ll Never Forget

This past spring, I had the life-changing opportunity to attend Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), Jewish National Fund-USA’s college-prep, study abroad experience for American teens. The program allowed me and other teens from New

Alumni Spotlight

Jordan Dakoff - Spring Semester 2023 | March 6, 2025

My Life-Changing Experience at Alexander Muss High School in Israel

Nearly two years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Jewish National Fund-USA’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), which was an experience that profoundly shaped my identity, deepened my connection to Israel, and ignited my

Alumni Spotlight

Hadley Cohen - Spring Semester 2024 | November 18, 2024

My High School Journey to Israel - An Alumna Spotlight

For four years, I counted down the days until I could embark on my journey to Israel with Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss). I’d grown up hearing my mom’s incredible stories from her time there, so I was desperate to experience it.

Alumni Spotlight

Maddie Friedman - Spring Semester 2024 | November 11, 2024

How a Semester in Israel Changed My Life - An Alumna Spotlight

In January of 2024, I left everything and everyone I knew for a semester abroad in Israel thousands of miles from home. Little did I know how this experience would change my life and turn me into the person I am today.

Alumni Spotlight

Izzy Sussman - Spring Semester 2024 | August 29, 2024

Beyond a Fantasy, with Alexander Muss High School in Israel

WOW, WOW, and WOW! (And yes, I’m screaming this!) I’ve had the semester of a lifetime, and I need every teen like me to know that they can do this too!

Alumni Spotlight

Phoebe Nissanoff - Spring Semester 2023 | June 24, 2024

How Muss Helped Me Become a Jewish Leader - An Alumna Spotlight

In January of 2023, I left my friends, family, and everything familiar to me behind in order to spend a semester in Israel at Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss). I nervously sat on the plane that day, not knowing anyone that would be on my

Alumni Spotlight

Barri Seitz - Summer 2021: Foundations Israel | June 20, 2024

Reshaping My Jewish Identity with Muss - An Alumna Spotlight

I always knew I would attend Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss). Both of my parents attended the school in the early ‘90s, and their first date was dinner before a local Muss reunion in Atlanta. Their wedding ketubah was even made by the

Alumni Spotlight

Mallory Mosner - Spring Semester 2008 | May 6, 2024

What Israel Means to Me - An Alum Spotlight

The following essay originally appeared in the now defunct newspaper The Jewish Transcript in 2009. It was also my college admission essay; I wrote this half of my lifetime ago at the tender age of sixteen, having recently come back from living in