The tone of Yom HaZikaron was set first thing in the morning, with the Yeshiva’s dedication of all תפילות and לימוד התורה to the courageous soldiers of the IDF, those currently serving and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for עם ישראל and ארץ ישראל. Middle school students then gathered for a powerful documentary, In Their Honor, created by RYNJ graduate Hillel Kornwasser, class of 2024, and filmed by RYNJ graduate Doniel Hanauer, class of 2024. This incredibly moving film details the stories of seven heroes who gave their lives defending עם ישראל; they learned about young soldiers who fell in battle on October 7, and reservists who left beautiful families at home, including those close to their own RYNJ family members, Morah Avivit Collas and Rabbi Tzvi Geffner. Each student then received a card bearing the name of an IDF soldier who was killed in service, and recited dedicated פרקים of תהילים in that soldier’s memory. RYNJ is so proud of the students for developing the beautiful middos of הכרת הטוב, אחריות and a deep love for Am Yisrael. May the memory of our fallen heroes be a blessing, and may HaShem continue to protect our חיילים and bring שלום to our beloved ארץ ישראל.