On the anniversary of October 7, SAR High School reflected on the past year and took a moment to remember, honor and reaffirm its commitment to supporting Israel.
The day began with a schoolwide assembly, as students and faculty gathered in the auditorium for a tekes to commemorate the events of October 7, mourn the losses of the day and express hopes for a brighter future and for peace. The community was invited to join via livestream. At the assembly, students watched excerpts from Aish’s documentary on October 7 and heard from Julie, mother of Bar Kupershtein who is being held hostage in Gaza, and of the heroic efforts of former IDF General Noam Tibon to rescue his family from their safe room in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. They were inspired by the words of Congressman Ritchie Torres who expressed his belief that Israel must be protected from genocidal enemies. The program also included songs, poems and prayers that reflected the many intense feelings of the day.
Students in each grade heard from speakers who have dedicated significant time and energy since October 7 coordinating Israel-related initiatives. The ninth graders heard how SAR Academy alum Abby Marcus collected money and donations of army gear to send to Israel. Through her creation of the Riverdale IDF/Israel Effort, she has assisted in sending over 800 duffel bags of gear and over $2.5 million of goods to Israel. The 10th graders learned from SAR parent Rachael Klein about Boots for Israel. She proudly described how she and her community sent more than 60,000 pairs of boots to IDF soldiers. The 11th graders were moved by stories from SAR parent Esther Sperber who is involved in the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The senior class were guests of Israel’s UN delegation and traveled to Manhattan for a ceremony commemorating the events of October 7 and supporting the State of Israel.
Students also had the opportunity to choose from the following elective options during lunch: creating a hostage ribbon, “Alight Me’erim” art project, a shiur by Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz, and creating nerot neshama.
Students and faculty davened Mincha together as a school in the auditorium, followed by an Israel news update and a kumzitz in the gym. Afterward, some students left school to attend the UJA commemoration event in Central Park where the SAR HS choir performed. It was an inspirational end to a truly meaningful day.
