The RYNJ family celebrated ה אייר united as a school, though each one in their own homes, but united in hearts and voices, through the best distance learning, videos, games, contests, music and art. Everyone dressed in blue and white, sang and danced, laughed and learned and yearned to some day call Israel home.
From the youngest to the oldest student, the day was full of creative activities and learning opportunities to maximize our connection to Israel and encourage and promote chibat Yisrael. Early childhood watched Morah Mali Mizrahi introduce the yeladim to the geography of Israel, from Har Hermon to Tzfat to Yerushalayim…and her love of everything Israeli; the people, the food, the holy sites, the kedusha, the spirit, the bravery and the energy. Then she taught the yeladim how to make falafel! Yum. Morah Mali also led the yeladim in a sing-a-long of Israeli songs, with picture prompts and hand-motions included, that captured the essence of Israel. Morah Robin and the pre-k made crowns for Yom Ha’atzmaut. Even the nursery tots got into the moment as they too participated in the cupcake competition and decorated each one with an Israeli theme with Morah Aliza, as she shared her love and pride of Israel.
The lower and middle school students’ day was jam packed with a variety of events to excite, inspire and cultivate love of Israel. Their day began with greetings from Morah Aliza as she shared the excitement of the birth of Medinat Yisrael 72 years ago and the wonder and awe that is Israel today. That was just the beginning of the fun. The day progressed with Israel @ 72 Art, as students were encouraged to get creative and build, draw or paint their unique vision of modern day Israel. Many RYNJ families really got into the next challenge as they baked, decorated and then ate their entries. It was Family Cupcake Design led by beloved fifth grade Morah, Sarit Glass. With simple instructions—useing leebi b’Yisrael as inspiration, decorate a cupcake or cake with whatever you have at home, take a picture and submit it to RYNJ—every one was a winner. The students played Israeli Kahoot, excelled at “Picture This” identifying multiple sites in Israel, and exercised with the RYNJ Yom Ha’Atzmaut Basic Training Workout. All of this on the heels of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: RYNJ Yom Ha’Atzmaut Edition,” a game the whole family played together the evening before.
The day concluded as a full RYNJ community with families joining a Zoom program that began with Hatikva, featured a collection of videos of, “What Israel Means to Me,” a showcase video of our students’ artwork and a beautiful display of the delicious cupcake creations in honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Kudos to the morot, rabbeim and teachers who so eloquently personalized each lesson with a story or anecdote about what Israel means and its relevance in our lives.
We yearn to be together in Israel, we yearn for a refuah for all the cholim, we yearn for Mashiach. May HKB”H listen to our pleas and answer us l’tova.
