“My heart is in the East though I am far away in the West,” bemoaned Rabbi Yehuda Ha’levi. But at RYNJ the bond with Israel was strengthened through the commemoration of Yom Ha’zikaron and the celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Two B’nei Akiva Israel Special Program teams helped set the tone for Yom Ha’zikaron. With candles burning, one team offered the middle school students a “round robin” array of mini-lessons about a variety of military conflicts that have cost Israeli lives throughout her history.
Each session ended with an “azaka,” moment of silence, and the singing of Ha’tikvah.
A second team used the tekes format to share a chayal’s experience with the younger grades. The children heard his heroic story and had the chance to ask the questions about Tzahal and Israel that were most on their minds. The boys of Morah Simon’s class sang the tefillah for chayalei Tzahal in appreciation for their guests’ efforts on behalf of the Jewish people.
The preschool classes enjoyed an interactive trip to Israel. With passports and bags packed for tiyulim, each class had the opportunity to travel from experience station to station, visiting the Kotel, an army base, a kibbutz and many other sites both inside and outside of the school building. The Middle School enjoyed an interactive tour, as well, guided by the students of Morah Sarit Glass. To culminate the yearlong unit in y’diat ha’aretz, the girls prepared timelines and three dimensional models of Medinat Yisrael.
First through fifth grade classes enjoyed fabulous Israel themed carnivals prepared and run by the eighth grade students. “Kef” was had by all as Tzahal training, sports challenges, and “guess the flavor” stands had the children lining up for more.
Students of the first through fifth grade classes also made woven trays to use as a “KLEE” to remind them to support Israel and always have Israeli products at home. The projects were planned and led by teams of junior high girls.
An Areyvut Israel Chessed Challenge gave the junior high students the opportunity to learn about many great causes in Israel, and to empower themselves to be active, connected philanthropists. The activity was organized and presented by Areyvut under the leadership of Daniel Rothner and Michal Levine. Each class was challenged to prepare an “infomercial” about a specific Israeli chessed organization, and to present the infomercial to the students of fifth grade through eighth grade. At the end of all the presentations, each student and teacher voted for what he or she perceived to be the most worthy cause. All of the tzedakot received a donation from the RYNJ student council tzedakah fund, but a grand prize check was written to the organization with the most appreciated presentation.
Through commemoration, chessed and fun, the students of RYNJ showed their love of Israel.
