Our excursions are outside-the-classroom experiences where our students go places together and live Kehillah’s Four Commitments. Our all-school opening retreat (Kinnus), community partnerships, and each of our grade-level trips, provide many of the highlights of the year. Each excursion helps our students become citizens of the world, socially aware, engaged, and working for a more just and kind world. Through these learning opportunities, our actions are guided by compassion, critical thinking, and Jewish values.
Kinnus (All-School Retreat)
The first days of the school year are dedicated to Kinnus, an all-school retreat. Kinnus means gathering in Hebrew. The days of Kinnus are focused on welcoming new students, bonding, games, and school spirit! Students will meet teachers, connect with peers in different grades, and form lasting bonds with their classmates in this fun-filled start of school year. One evening is devoted to a local, senior class overnight.
Kehillah Community Service Day
During the year, we dedicate time for community partnerships. In previous years, we have worked to alleviate food and housing insecurity, clean up beaches and parks, and support social action throughout the Bay Area.
EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL
Every spring, each grade takes a unique educational trip. The ever-evolving four-year educational travel curriculum builds on our academic program through direct experience and exposure to diverse communities with an emphasis on students taking responsibility for their own learning. Below are the adventures planned for 23-24!
9th Grade: Los Angeles, CA
- Hike in Griffith Park to see the Hollywood sign
- Tour the historic Wilshire Boulevard Temple
- Observe a panel discussion on tolerance and social justice at the LA Museum of the Holocaust
- See a comedy show
- Take a gentrification tour of Downtown LA
- Visit the Broad Museum of Modern Art
- Volunteer at the Pico Union Project
- Create portrait art led by a Mexican immigrant artist, Hedy Torres
- Tour Homeboy Industries
- Visit Safe Place for Youth, a homeless teen drop-in center
- Relax on Venice Beach
- End the trip with a farewell campfire at the famous Dockweiler Beach
10th Grade: Portland, OR
- Fun in the snow on Mt. Hood – skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and more.
- Volunteering with Dignity Village, Zenger Farms, Habitat for Humanity – building, farming, and learning to use tools.
- Hiking near Multnomah Falls
- Meet with teens from Outside the Frame
- Visit Powell’s books and other Portland landmarks
- Meet with Tivnu Gap Year Fellows
- Participate in late night food banks
11th Grade: ColOmbia
- Explore the mud volcano of El Totumo
- Volunteer with school children and engage in an after-school program
- Visit the beach in Cartegena and the Rosario Islands
- Learn the history of Medellín
- Creating edible gardens for schools
12th Grade: Thailand
- Explore South East Asia's biggest backpacking hub, Khaosan Rd
- Volunteer with non-profit organizations working to eradicate human trafficking
- Visit the ancient Buddhist temples of Chiang Mai
- Visit an elephant sanctuary
- Volunteer at a school teaching children English, sports, and arts