RPRY students commemorated Yom HaShoah with age appropriate programs across the school. Throughout the school day, classes paused at different moments to hear the names of school-community family members who perished in the Holocaust read over the loudspeaker. Students in fourth and fifth grade came together to hear the story of Simcha, a young boy who survived the ghetto and dedicated his life to bringing simcha to others. They participated in an interactive presentation with proud RPRY grandparent Tom Goldstein, who recently translated the memoirs of his mother, a Holocaust survivor, into English. Students were fascinated by her story which ended with the king of Sweden personally responding to her plea for help. Middle school students watched a multimedia performance of seventh and eighth grade students directed by Rebecca Bick that combined acting, song and video that weaved together multiple scenes and stories surrounded by the sefer Torah who wanted to return to the place where he belonged. The performance took place on six stages set to a background of a candlelit room and featured lessons of hope, survival, continuity and strength. Students demonstrated unity as they ended the performance singing “Acheinu” and “Ani Maamin” culminating a meaningful program that is sure to have a lasting impact.
