Earlier last week, Westchester Day School held a poignant ceremony with fifth to eighth graders to mark the anniversary of September 11. The event included a candle lighting ceremony, a moving program, and ended with students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” To express their reflections on how to make the world a better place, students wrote their thoughts on post-it notes, which are now displayed on a board in the school shul for the entire school community to see.

In addition,  middle school students participated in a tekes (memorial ceremony), to honor the six hostages who tragically lost their lives the week prior. The ceremony highlighted their remarkable strength, unity (achdut), and faith (emunah). Echoing the sentiment from the second book of Samuel, Chapter 1, Verse 23, “In life and in death, they were not divided,” we remember and celebrate their legacy.

May their memories be a blessing to all.