Experiential Learning - Frankel Jewish Academy

Sophomores 22' finish building tiny houses in Oregon

All FJA students have multiple opportunities to leave the four walls of school behind and explore the world around them. Each grade level travels to a different location, which offers unique experiences for students to take a physical and educational journey. These opportunities for experiential learning are framed by Jewish texts and values, and are focused on the identity of each student. Faculty and staff guide students on explorations as they learn from the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, do community service in the Pacific Northwest, traverse Israel and more.

FJA Freshman Trip: Montana

FJA Freshman Trip: Montana

9th grade students will engage in a cross-cultural learning experience on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in southeastern Montana, followed by a Shabbaton in Yellowstone National Park. This experience will introduce students to the history, culture, and spirituality of a vibrant native group, who have sustained their cultural identity despite great struggle. The curriculum and culminating immersive, experiential trip is designed to broaden students’ cultural literacy as well as foster and facilitate reflection on students’ own spiritual and existential challenges as individuals and as Jews.

"As a Jewish teen going on the Frankel Montana trip, I was able to learn so much about the Cheyenne culture. I learned about the battles that they fought for their land, and mass genocides of their people, but the Cheyenne people are still holding on to each other as a powerful culture."

-Manny Arkashevsky '25

"This experience [was] an amazing opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture and educate ourselves on the history of the Northern Cheyenne people. The sweat lodge and the Little Bighorn memorial were two of the most meaningful things I've ever experienced."

- Naomi Kahan '25

FJA Sophomore Trip: Oregon

FJA Sophomore Trip: Oregon

Students will travel to Portland, Oregon where they will be introduced to the history, culture, and scenery of the Pacific Northwest, as well as provide an opportunity for students to do community service. In keeping with our values of serving the Jewish and general community, and providing tzedek opportunities for students, students will learn about the issue of affordable housing and help build homes in a “tiny home” community. They will learn about some of today’s most pressing social issues, including housing, food, and environmental challenges through a Jewish lens. Daily hands-on social and communal work will give students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of what Judaism, Jewish history, and Jewish sources have to offer them as agents of positive change.

"While I anticipated this would be a fun week with my friends in a cool city, I came home feeling a very strong sense of accomplishment and the reward of changing peoples lives for the better. I will always remember how I integrated my head, heart, and hands into the performance of charitable acts."

- Jonah Miller '24

"I really enjoyed these past days volunteering for something that will truly help people. Our job as Jews is to repair the world, and I feel our work really did!"

- Cami Katzen '24

FJA Junior Trip: Israel

FJA Junior Trip: Israel

FJA Senior Trip: Poland & Prague

FJA Senior Trip: Poland & Prague

Students will be traveling to Poland and Prague with Ramah Institute Israel. Students will learn about the centuries of thriving Jewish communities that existed in pre-shoah Poland. They will then begin to learn what life was like in a shtetl, see the concentration camps and explore historic synagogues . After they will have a chance to meet current Jewish and Non-Jewish college students living in Warsaw today. From Poland students will travel to Prague where they will experience a millennia of Jewish history, walk through the rose garden, visit the Franz Kafka Museum and much more.