Yom Ha’atzmaut at RKYHS was a full day of enriching programming highlighting Israel’s history, culture, technologies, and more. The day began with an inspirational musical hallel during shacharit. Proudly waving their Israeli flags, students danced and sang along to the hallel davening.

The morning programming consisted of sessions that focused on different aspects of Israel’s history and politics from Israel’s miraculous victory in 1948, the personal history of David Ben Gurion, the history of the November 1947 vote, the Iron Dome and its ingenuity, women’s enrollment in Tzahal and more.

The program was followed by an Israel fair hosted by the eleventh grade that showcased the inventions they produced during Hebrew Class. The students’ creativity and passion were impressive as they researched an Israeli invention and discussed their reasons. Each student group developed an invention to improve people’s lives in Israel, then created a business proposal of the product as if they were planning to pitch their idea on the television show Shark Tank The students used new vocabulary, complex grammar and interactive media.

The jam-packed day continued with hearing from Dan Webb, who as a paraplegic demonstrated the ReWalk technology he uses to enable him to stand and walk, that was created in Israel.

Following the ruach-filled school-wide chagigah and a barbecue lunch, afternoon programming included fun Israel-focused activities including Dead Sea facials, Israeli dance lessons, gaga, kadur regel (soccer), Israeli taste test challenge, shesh besh (backgammon), and more.