Professor Leads Educational Hike at South Mountain Park

Lehigh University students joined an academic hike to explore how trails shape history, politics, and national identity.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Hiking

Professor Leads Educational Hike at South Mountain Park

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Does walking through a location help you better understand its history and local culture?

Professor Shay Rabineau led a guided hike through Bethlehem's South Mountain Trail Park for Lehigh University students and faculty members. The event functioned as part of a two-day research discussion series hosted by the Berman Center for Jewish Studies.

Why it matters

The collaboration aimed to connect students with expert research on how walking trails influence national identity. The organizers sought to create a unique academic environment that bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world landscape study.

The event was organized as a 2-day research series by the Berman Center for Jewish Studies and the environmental studies program. Participants explored the cultural significance of trail systems that the lead researcher has studied for over a decade.

The players

Shay Rabineau

He is the associate professor of Israel Studies and Department Chair of Judaic Studies at Binghamton University who studies the cultural impact of trails.

Berman Center for Jewish Studies

This institution at Lehigh University promotes academic research and community discussion regarding Jewish history and culture.

Noa Avron Barak

She is a professional connection who first met Professor Rabineau in 2016.

The details

Participants walked the South Mountain Trail Park to examine the intersection of hiking, history, and political identity. The hike allowed students to apply academic concepts regarding trail systems in Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank directly to the local environment.

2016: Noa Avron Barak first met Shay Rabineau.
October 13, 2026: The guided hike occurred at South Mountain Trail Park.

Culture Shift

This event follows the pattern of interdisciplinary academic programs that prioritize experiential learning in natural settings. By moving beyond traditional lecture halls, institutions are increasingly integrating local environmental study with global history and social science research.

Residents and students can look forward to more frequent integration of community parks into academic curricula. The study demonstrates how local outdoor spaces can serve as practical classrooms for complex humanities research.

The takeaway

Engaging with natural landscapes can provide a deeper understanding of historical and political contexts. Residents interested in academic enrichment should look for similar community-focused research events hosted by local university centers.