When the alarm rang at 5:00 AM on Sunday, March 23rd, I knew I was in for something special—but I couldn’t have imagined just how transformative the next few days would be. Alongside 28 bright young women from 10 different schools and a team of passionate educators and chaperones, I embarked on a whirlwind trip to Boston with CIJE—the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education. Our mission? To dive deep into the world of STEM and ignite inspiration in the next generation of female innovators.
Day One: Curiosity Ignited
After a 7:00 AM flight and a quick lunch stop at Cold Press with my niece Talia, the real adventure began at the MIT Museum. The girls wandered through exhibits that sparked their curiosity and showcased the boundless potential of scientific exploration. Though the students hadn’t yet begun to mix socially, it was understandable—after all, the trip had only just begun.
Dinner at Harvard Chabad was both delicious and engaging. A surprise round of a “CIJE Dating Game” (yes, I was pulled in to fill a spot!) added some light-hearted bonding. Orly Nadler shared inspiring words, and Rabbi Zarchi from Harvard Chabad warmly welcomed the girls.
The night wrapped up at Boda Borg, a thrilling escape-room-style experience where teamwork and problem-solving ruled. It was intense, fun, and just the right amount of challenging—precisely the kind of experience CIJE is known for providing. We returned to the hotel, exhausted but energized.
Day Two: Inspiration in Every Hallway
Monday was a STEM-packed day, starting bright and early with breakfast and cozy sweatshirts for everyone—perfect for a drizzly Boston day.
Our first stop was the Broad Institute, where science meets human impact. We toured multiple labs and heard from researchers like Noam Shroar and a brilliant, observant Jewish woman with a Ph.D. in communicable viruses who spoke about balancing her scientific career with a life of Torah observance. These encounters were more than impressive—they were empowering.
Next came a visit to Formlabs, where 3D printing moved from concept to reality before our eyes. A female-led Q&A session allowed the girls to see themselves in the shoes of engineers and creators. After lunch—yes, more Cold Press—we headed to RAI (Robotics with AI), a sister company of Boston Dynamics, where Spot the robot stole the show. Again, we were treated to a panel of women engineers who helped the girls envision a future where they, too, could shape the world through technology.
Dinner at The Wok offered comforting Chinese dishes, but the fun didn’t stop there. Even in the rain, the girls opted to check out Quincy Market, only to find it closing minutes after we arrived. Still, that didn’t dampen spirits. Later that evening, the group played team-building games and sang together—indicating that the girls were beginning to gel beautifully.
Day Three: Where Dreams Take Flight
Tuesday, our final day, brought us back to MIT, this time for an exclusive tour of the labs led by Joe Jacobson. These spaces were where ideas touch the stars—like the recent moon landing that originated from work done here.
We also met Mitch Resnik, the creative mind behind Scratch, Lego Mindstorms, and Octolabs—names that hold weight in educational tech.
Sadly, we had to cut our tour short to catch our flight home, schlepping our bags as we said goodbye to this world of wonder. A quick elevator selfie with Orly Nadler, Phillip Brazil, and Nili Greenberg captured the fantastic team that made it happen.
Reflections: A Trip That Changed Us All
This trip wasn’t just a tour of Boston or a peek into world-class laboratories. It was an invitation—for the girls and for us chaperones—to see what’s possible. I left with the firm belief that many of the students may now reconsider their future paths, having seen firsthand how broad, exciting, and accessible the world of STEM can be.
Orly and Phillip’s organization was impeccable, from the name tags with personalized itineraries to the creative way of counting students (a synchronized roll call from 1 to 28 that was genius in its simplicity). Their calm, capable leadership made everything run smoothly.
Another thing that struck me? The intentionality behind the workspaces we visited. Every company and institute had beautiful, creative, and collaborative social spaces for their teams—places to relax, brainstorm, and connect. It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it blooms in environments that nurture the mind and the soul.
I gained so much from this trip—new friendships, eye-opening experiences, and memories I’ll treasure. I’m grateful to have been part of something so meaningful.
Thank you to CIJE, the incredible team behind the scenes, and the future engineers, scientists, and changemakers who will undoubtedly shape our world in extraordinary ways.
Want to know more about CIJE and its incredible initiatives? Visit thecije.org and see how they’re transforming education—one student at a time. ■
By Shelley Lurie
Proud Mesorah Mom
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