Rav Abraham Isaac Kook was the first Askenazi chief Rabbi in Israel and was considered to be one of the fathers of Religious Zionism. This past Friday, BPY ES and MS students celebrated  י״ט בכסלו, the 19th of Kislev, which was the day that HaRav Kook started his מסע המושבות, colonial journey. The students had the opportunity to learn in class all week, through stories and games, about his dedication to the mission of Zionism, both in and out of Eretz Yisrael. The school’s talented shlichim performed a play about a young HaRav Kook and how he organized a group of children to travel to Eretz Yisrael. The students also learned his famous song בן אדם עלה למעלה עלה which is a phrase that means each person can shine if you work to your potential. Robyn Badash, co-director of Communications also shared the story of how her family was very close with Rav Kook and how he gave permission for her family to come to the USA in 1913 with a signed document.