Now that my final Shiriyah ended two weeks ago, I find myself looking back on my development and the development of my grade through Shiriyah over the past four years. Shiriyah is color war of arts. The four grades compete head to head in a variety of challenges, ranging from choir to murals to the Rube Goldberg machine, culminating in a presentation for the entire Jewish community. Every student is able to find the right role for them. From the captains and generals who use their leadership skills, to the talented artists who create murals and banners which line the school hallways so we constantly feel the spirit of Shiriyah, to the musicians and singers who lead our grade in song that Thursday night. The drummers and actors in Stomp manage to portray our theme using only beats and no words. Since not everyone finds themselves drawn to the arts, competitions based in intellect are also incorporated into the days of Shiriyah. You can often hear someone discussing Torah Journal, prepping for Torah Bowl, the Rube Goldberg machine and, the newest edition, Escape the Room. In addition to these smaller group competitions, there are many opportunities for the whole grade to come together as a team. Competitions include: Minute to Win it, Family Feud and Jeopardy. But, most importantly, everyone unites during song practice and hallway decorating. From building mountains to the shuk to the Mamilla Mall, the hallways portray the students’ interpretations of their theme from Torah to modern day.
As a senior I watched the excited and stressed freshmen sign up for every activity, knowing that by senior year everyone will find the perfect place for themselves in their grade and in Shiriyah. As Shiriyah came to a close, the senior grade stood in one big circle listening to the senior medley, a compilation of our old Shiriyah songs and those which have affected us during our four years. Looking around the circle, I saw tears in many of my fellow classmates’ eyes. As I looked around I realized how unified we have become and I can attribute that to the four weeks dedicated to Shiriyah in our high school experience.
By Rebecca Roth
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