SAR Academy students have found a unique way to show their support of the people of Ukraine. Students from various grades have been visiting the Russian Mission located nearby in Riverdale, on a daily rotation. Students prepare and display signs they have made in the classroom, say Tehillim and engage in age-appropriate lessons with their teachers.

Students felt inspired by their participation in these daily trips to the Mission. One student explained that he felt that his presence holding these signs, although just a small action, could make a difference in bringing awareness to the people around them. He remarked how the support from passers-by on the street gave him such encouragement and made him realize how important it was to continue to do this.

Back in the classroom, students and teachers have been discussing the day to day news developments and have been engaging in heartfelt conversations about what we, as Jews, and Americans, can do to lend support. Eighth graders have been learning about how protest has been viewed throughout the years in Jewish history and tradition, finding sources in Talmudic texts.

Students have also been learning and keeping up with the global Jewish response and following the ways in which other communities have helped as well, whether it be the massive collections of clothing and drugs for victims and refugees, volunteer missions to the border countries by lay people and rabbinic leaders or the loud public outcry of rage and condemnation of Russian crimes against humanity.