(Courtesy of Bruriah High School) While most high schools in the area got together and rallied on behalf of all of Am Yisrael, staff at Bruriah Middle School (BMS) in Elizabeth felt that even though they were staying home, they needed to do their part as important members of Klal Yisrael. While our older students rallied from Washington, Bruriah Middle School rallied from home. Students spent the day learning about, thinking about, and acting upon their love for Israel.
The day began with a beautiful student-led Hallel and Rosh Chodesh breakfast. Students then split up into groups with teachers and began their first activity of the day: Cafe Dilemma. Groups were presented with real dilemmas that the state of Israel has faced over time. Around the tables, students weighed the options regarding these dilemmas, offered their insightful opinions, and then learned what the final decision was. This style of learning helped students to focus on past and present key issues and challenges that have faced Israel in the past century. (Thank you to Rabbi Alan Silverman for your guidance in this activity.)
The day continued with small group learning focused upon some of the places in the siddur where one davens for Israel. Students were encouraged to identify the various Israel themes within tefillah such as kibbutz galuyot, bringing peace to our land, and the rebuilding of Yerushalayim. The girls then split into groups to create paintings for the ROC: our davening room. We are looking forward to the new artwork hanging on our walls, helping to focus and inspire us as we daven for Eretz Yisrael each day.
After lunch, students boarded the bus and headed for JEC where the BMS students ran a chesed fair for JEC early childhood and lower school students. Some of the booths included making Chanukah bags for Israeli children who have been displaced from their homes, creating Israel swag bags, and two brachot stations to get some extra mitzvot in honor of our family in Eretz Yisrael.
JEC and BMS joined together for a rally of their own led by Rabbi Uzi Beer. The students were inspired by words of Torah, and sang, arm in arm, dedicated to the safety of our chayalim and to peace in Israel. The day ended with students choosing to play Israeli soccer or to participate in an Israel themed game show.
All of the students are grateful to the entire BMS faculty for creating a meaningful day of learning and love of Israel as Bruriah Middle School rallied from home.
