On Yom Hazikaron, the seventh grade boys did research on 16 individuals who died al kiddush Hashem. These were both soldiers who fell defending Israel and victims of terror. In a moving ceremony, each student provided a glimpse into the lives of each of the kedoshim that they researched, how they died and who they left behind. They then draped an Israeli flag over a picture of their individual and stated, “yehi zichram baruch—may their memories be blessed.” The touching ceremony ended with everyone singing Acheinu, swaying arm-in-arm.

It is because of the sacrifices of those remembered on Yom Hazikaron that the Jewish people can celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut.

The entire school assembled outside for our annual parade around the neighborhood. They sang and danced in the streets, waving flags and celebrating Medinat Yisrael. The festivities continued inside. Students in early childhood and kindergarten visited the shuk, went on an archaeological dig, had a 70th birthday party, participated in army training, planted trees, ate at a falafel stand and learned in a yeshiva in Israel.

Elementary and middle school students were broken up into groups and had the opportunity to visit five out of ten choices of stations. Amongst them were Guess Who? with famous Zionist personalities, the technology of water desalination, an orange juice and fruit salad stand, Connect Four Israel, the history of the Israeli flag, army basic training, traveling through Israel on a giant map on the floor and a shemita relay race.