For the second year, Ma’ayanot High School for Girls and Yeshivat He’Atid held a combined program for Yom Yerushalayim last Friday. The day began with tefillah and spirited dancing before moving on to a short tekes. The ceremony began with a brief introduction from Ma’ayanot students to Yom Yerushalayim and more specifically, the battle to secure the Kotel. Fifth graders then acted out a short skit in Hebrew depicting the battle, followed by a recitation of the Tefillah l’Shlom Ha’Medina and perek 122 of Tehillim. The tekes concluded with a video created by Ma’ayanot students, “51 Facts about Yerushalayim,” starring students and parents.

The program then peaked with a powerful Koolulam-style singing presentation. Both schools joined together to sing a creatively composed mash-up of Yaakov Shwekey’s “Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim,” Matisyahu’s “Jerusalem,” and Café Shachor’s “Yihiye B’Seder.”

Ma’ayanot’s A/V team of Shoshi Blech and Tzivia Major, led by Benny Reiner, and videography student Colin Sass, created a YouTube video of the event.

Thank you to all who helped bring the program together. Particular thanks to Rebecca Teplow who masterfully composed, taught and conducted the performance.