JKHA was filled with energy and excitement for Yom Ha’atzmaut as students celebrated Israel’s 71st birthday!

The whole school from N-3 through 12th grade gathered together for a festive chagiga and singing of “Hatikvah.” The students also enjoyed a Daglanut performance by the JKHA middle school girls.

Throughout the day, lower school traveled around Israel as they engaged in hands-on activities to make the country come alive and experience some of the varied regions and sights in the country including the Negev, Dead Sea, the hills of Israel and the Ramon Crater.

Middle school students enjoyed Israel-themed sports activities, participating in a (delicious!) Hebrew cooking show, a “mishpat hashavua” competition from throughout the year and the pinnacle of the day—the Kochavei Kushner talent competition. For the competition, groups of middle school students performed choreographed dances to contemporary Israeli songs, that they have been rehearsing for weeks, while being cheered on by classmates.

A highlight of the day was a delicious school-wide barbecue courtesy of PTC.