Ta’am Yisrael participants reunited.

Ta’am Yisrael 2016 participants continued to savor their taste of Israel as many of the 174 eighth-graders on the February trip attended a reunion on March 6 to reinforce their connections to Israel, the Jewish community and each other.

During the celebration, held at the Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in Deerfield, Ta’am participants reunited with their bus-mates for hugs and to discuss favorite memories. They also got a “taste” of different high school programs and opportunities, including youth movements, Hebrew language classes and volunteering.

At the same time, several dozen parents discussed the impact the trip had on their children, and how to sustain and build upon the experience through future programs and other engagement. ( View photos from the reunion. )

Plans for the 2017 trip, open to Jewish eighth-graders in Hebrew schools and other programs throughout the Chicago area, already are in the works. More information about Ta’am Yisrael is available at www.TaamYisrael.org .