Eleventh and 12th grade students met in their Judaic Studies classes on Tzom Gedalia with an exercise in lifnai v’lifnim. The lesson went through the last perek in Melachim which describes what was happening to the remainder of the Jewish people living in Eretz Yisroel at the time, and what resulted in the death of Gedalia. Teachers challenged the students to think about what was behind the actions of Yishmael,’s jealousy. Students were challenged to think how they may have acted similarly in the past, how they can change their actions in the future, how they have acted this past year and how they want to grow.

The second part of the program is a reflection going into the new year. Students wrote out their goals and aspirations going into the new year. The letters were then sealed and placed in an envelope that will be returned to the students later in the year.