On Tuesday, December 5, BPY observed “Honor Day,” a day when the wounded men and women of the Israel Defense Forces are given honor and appreciation. Yoni Hadar, former soldier in the IDF spoke to the students in a school-wide general assembly, and described the trials and triumphs of serving as a soldier to protect Israel. He encouraged the students to support Israeli soldiers by writing letters to them and raising awareness of what soldiers experienced while serving in the army. Students recited a prayer for the soldiers in the IDF and sang “Hatikvah” together at the end of the program. The students were filmed singing and waving signs of thanks and Israeli flags and the film will be shared in Israel. All the students returned to class with a deeper understanding of IDF soldiers’ experience and a deeper appreciation for their dedication to keeping our homeland safe and secure.