Last week week Moriah commemorated Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, in many ways. First, in Ivrit classes, students learned about specific soldiers killed in battle in order to personalize this day through their stories. The students were given memorial candles from the Afikim Foundation to light on Tuesday night, the start of Yom Hazikaron, in memory of the soldier they learned about.

On Wednesday morning, students heard a personal account of being in the army and what Yom Hazikaron means to him from Noam Atar, father of seventh grader Tamara and a major in the Israeli Army. Shortly after, all instruction and conversation was stopped for a moment of silence. This was a time for students to reflect on those lives that were lost serving Israel. Events continued in the afternoon with a video from the Afikim Foundation about the “Adopt a Soldier Project” which was followed by a candle-lighting ceremony. It was a moving day that showed the students the importance of appreciating what others do for us.