Education
When antisemitism on college campuses soared in the aftermath of October 7, University of Texas at Austin student Barri Seitz was asked why she felt the rhetoric expressed on campus was antisemitic.
Barri, a freshman at the time, felt equipped to answer because of a semester she’d spent studying at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel just three years prior.
“I explained, ‘When you say, “Globalize the intifada,” you are referring to terrorist attacks,’” said Barri. “I know that so much of what I learned at Muss is coming out in those types of conversations.”
With two campuses—one outside of Tel Aviv and one in Be’er Sheva —Alexander Muss High School in Israel offers high school students the unique opportunity to study abroad in Israel for a 16-week semester, an 8-week “mini-mester” and on summer programs. Many of its alumni credit their experience at Muss—and that rare “Muss Magic”—with why they’ve become dedicated advocates for Israel.
For Barri, who was raised in Atlanta, attending the school was a foregone conclusion. Her parents had both studied there, and her great-aunt was previously one of the regional directors of admissions.
“By the time I was born, it was pretty much decided that at one point in my life I was going to go to Alexander Muss High School,” she told B’yachad.
She studied at Muss after completing her sophomore year of high school and was there during the summer of 2021.
During her time at Muss, her Israel studies teacher, Reuven Spero, made a lasting impression. The school itself had such an impact that when she returned home, she transferred from a non-denominational private school to the Weber School, a pluralistic Jewish school.
“I always knew that I loved Israel, but it wasn’t really until Muss when I understood the entirety of Israel’s history, in that Israel and Zionism are intrinsic to what it means to be Jewish,” she said.
She’s since become actively involved in speaking for Israel in multiple arenas, including as a founder of Longhorn Students for Israel, her campus’ pro-Israel group, and via Jewish National Fund-USA. During Jewish National Fund-USA’s 2022 national conference in Boston, she co-chaired the high school summit.
“I really just love being able to talk about my Muss experience and the positive impact it has had on my life,” Barri said.
Similarly, Phoebe Nissanoff, a high school senior at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, Florida, attended Muss in the spring of 2023 as a sophomore. Her experience included tiyulim (field trips) to cities including Tzfat, where she and her classmates spent a memorable Shabbat.
“Everybody was just so passionate, and there was just so much ruach (spirit) in the air,” the 17-year-old said.
Her experience at Muss led to her becoming an Israel advocate. After returning home, she became a Muss Ambassador, which involves speaking to prospective families, and participated in Jewish National Fund-USA’s Sababa Fellowship, a nine-month leadership opportunity for Muss alumni. She spent this past summer interning with Jewish National Fund-USA.
As she prepares for college, Phoebe is confident in her ability to confront any anti-Israel sentiment she might face. Muss helped give her the answers.
“My response is always, ‘Well, I have all the tools from Muss to stand up for myself and to have a voice on campus, and to not be afraid, because I know the truth, I know our truth, and I feel like I don’t need to run away,’” she said. “I have all the tools to combat antisemitism in the next chapter of my life.”
Learn more about Muss and apply at amhsi.org
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