Last week, Bruriah High School students commemorated Yom HaZikaron with a very beautiful and moving program acknowledging the sacrifices made to be able to live in the era of a Jewish state. Monday’s meaningful program, coordinated by senior Elisheva Finkelstein and the student AISAC committee, began with a Bruriah Tehillimathon during which the entire school collectively completed the Sefer Tehillim. This was followed by poignant stories of precious individuals who lost their lives on October 7. Students then had the zechus to hear from Shulamit Kfir, cousin of senior and freshman Ayala and Leeba Bachrach, who spoke of her harrowing experience on October 7 while living near the Gaza border. Shulamit concluded with a beautiful message of hope which carried the students into a powerful school-wide kumzitz to remember the past and daven for the future.

Tuesday brought with it tremendous celebration and festivity for Yom Ha’Atzmaut with a grand barbecue at Conant Park in Hillside. Students walked proudly to the park dressed in blue and white and adorned with Israeli flags. At the park, students bonded with their friends and teachers over delicious food and various activities. A highlight of the day was the high school’s involvement in breaking out a surprise color war for the middle school students.

As Bruriah concludes a year replete with Israel programming, including special tefillah programs, volunteer opportunities and Israel advocacy, these days celebrated each year took on an even greater significance at Bruriah, deepening students’ connection to Israel and its people as well as a sense of shared responsibility and destiny.