Students from RKYHS and students from Saint Benedict’s Prep in Newark have been meeting all year as part of the SOAR (Seminar on Antisemitism and Racism) program to combat all forms of hate and increase understanding. Students from both schools join together to study and discuss the history, commonalities and differences between racial injustice and antisemitism, increasing cultural and racial understanding and awareness, and jointly combatting all forms of hate.

As a supplement to their weekly zoom seminars, the students have opportunities throughout the year for fun and relationship building. The group of SOAR students kicked off African American History month together with a private performance from gifted dancer and entertainer Omar Edwards. Students were inspired by his special “Afro Feet” tap dancing with music and storytelling. Edwards left the students with great advice to figure out what you do uniquely well and bring that to society.