BPY held a powerful Yom Hazikaron tekes program last week that was open to the entire community. BPY families, alumni and community members joined together to show hakarat hatov to the chayalim who have given their lives so that all can enjoy the freedom to live as Jews in Eretz Yisrael. The tekes started with Yizkor by Rav Acoca, followed by Kel Malei Rachamim led by Rabbi Zucker. After the tefillot a powerful, meaningful two minutes of silence united the big crowd honoring the fallen soldiers and victims of terror. This year, the tekes was planned and led by inspiring and talented BPY shlichah Morah Adi. The theme of the tekes was gevurah, and the students performed, read, sang and shared real emotions about fallen soldiers throughout the timeline of Medinat Yisrael. The crowd of 300 could not stop wiping their tears and feeling the pain and the price of 24, 213 fallen soldiers who dedicated their lives for Am Yisrael.

One of the fallen soldiers, Maor Jaan who was killed in a terrorist attack, was highlighted in a special segment, with Maor’s mother sharing her son’s story and exhibiting paintings she created in his memory.

The evening ended with everyone rising to sing “Hatikvah” and “Ani Ma’amin.” On Tuesday, elementary school students had the honor of hearing Morah Jessica’s son Zachary, who served in Tzahal, speak about his experience in the army and how he decided he wanted to join the IDF when he was just 9 years old. In middle school, students had the zechut to host an injured soldier, Ofir, who spoke beautifully about his mission and shared his heroic story, emphasizing that Am Yisrael chai v’kayam.