There is never a dull moment in Bruriah and this week was definitely no exception. From Yom Hazikaron to Yom Ha’atzmaut, approximately 90 students were involved in some aspect of preparation and execution of the programs taking place.

The Yom Hazikaron program brought Bruriah’s students to tears and created a powerful and inspiring mood for the rest of the day. The students watched touching videos about soldiers; heard meaningful poems, songs and speeches. Ari Sandler, a veteran of the IDF’s Nachal Chareidi unit shared his experience in the army, and what Yom Hazikaron means to him. Students were then given a specific chayal or victim of terror for whom they could dedicate their learning.

Transitioning into Yom Ha’atzmaut, students watched a multimedia program which combined inspiring videos and a skit acted and directed by Bruriah students. This year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut skit took students on a journey through the eyes of IDF soldiers, who joined together from different places and backgrounds to protect Am Yisrael.

Students then participated in team-building exercises, “ to learn to work together as one unit, to trust each other, rely on each other, communicate with each other…and understand that we all have to work together as one unit -k’ish echad b’lev a echad,” just like Israeli soldiers, explained Leah Weiss (‘18), AISAC head.

Finally, students enjoyed a beautiful seudat hodaah, mini shuk and participated in a siyum celebrating the completion of all sifrei Tanach which students and teachers learned as a zchut for a refuah for injured soldiers and l’iluy nishmot those who perished in Eretz Yisrael.

The programming culminated after mincha with videos of current students and faculty sharing what they love about Israel, and updates on alumnae olim living in Israel. Many thanks to Ellen Azizollahoff and the AISAC heads who oversaw the planning and implementation of the program from start to finish.

By Shaina Levin (‘18)