An inspiring tefillah chagigit and musical Hallel kicked off the day of Yom Ha’atzmaut for the High School, filling the Morris Stadtmauer Torah Center with beautiful singing, music, and ruach.

The students heard from MK Avraham Neguise, the first member of Knesset of Ethiopian Jewish descent.

After an enjoyable chagigah, the RKYHS students participated in a variety of activities including kadur regel (soccer) and krav maga (Israeli martial arts), and watched the acclaimed film Beneath the Helmet, the story of five chayalim entering the IDF and their experience while serving.

In addition to the celebrations, the students took part in an Anti-BDS fair where several students role-played as anti-Israel advocates and the remainder of the students were faced with the experience of having to defend themselves and Israel against anti-Israel propaganda. The day concluded with an address by Rabbi Elliot Mathias of Hasbara Fellowships and Aish Hatorah, who provided useful advice and insight on how to respond to anti-Israel propaganda and anti-Israel activities when the students go off to college campuses.