SAR Academy marked the anniversary of the tragic events of October 7 with a school-wide commemoration and special programming. On Monday morning, the school-community gathered on the steps alongside elected officials, local clergy, survivors, soldiers and community leaders for a moving program. Highlights included a heartfelt performance by the SAR middle school choir, a tribute to SAR community members who served in IDF reserve duty, the lighting of a memorial candle, Tehillim, songs of unity and hope, and poignant remarks from Principal Rabbi Binyamin Krauss and special guests.
SAR extends gratitude to Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY 15th District) and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson for their inspiring words of unwavering support for the Jewish community. Special thanks also to Chazan Shim Craimer, former SAR parent and faculty member; Rav Steven Exler, senior rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and SAR parent; David Glazer, former SAR parent and faculty member; Abby Marcus, SAR alum; Ron Segev, survivor of the Nova Festival; Shai Bernstein, SAR parent and reservist; and Eli Craimer, former SAR student, for joining the school for tefillot and sharing their meaningful experiences with the students.
Throughout the day, age-appropriate programming took place in classrooms, providing students with meaningful opportunities to reflect, learn and engage with the day’s significance. Students and teachers in grades one through eight worked together to create a rock garden composed of 1,200 rocks, each representing a life lost since October 7. Throughout the day, students and faculty had the opportunity to write a word or draw an image on their rock that reflects themes of hope, achdut or tefillah. These personalized rocks will be placed together to form a rock garden, symbolizing the power of community. Students in grades one through five, participated in lessons anchored in core values, with each grade focusing on a specific pillar: first grade—tefillah; second grade: chesed; third grade: achdut; fourth grade: tikvah; and fifth grade: arevut.
The SAR community mourns those we lost and prays for the safe return of the hostages, healing for the wounded and protection for our chayalim. May this new year bring safety to Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, and peace to all.
