On Tuesday, the students and faculty members at Ma’ayanot came together to honor Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, with a school-wide ceremony organized by the Hebrew department. The event featured moving readings, soul-stirring songs and thought-provoking videos about recent victims of terror, highlighting the theme of achdut, unity, in Israel.

The ceremony began with a siren, a moment of silence, as students and faculty paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and civilians who have lost their lives. It continued with powerful readings that shared the personal stories of victims from different religions and denominations. Through these stories, the students emphasized the importance of achdut, highlighting how terrorism does not discriminate and affects people from all walks of life in Israel.

The ceremony drew to an end with the powerful words of Rabbi Leo Dee, who lost his wife and two daughters, and a communal recitation of the prayer for the well-being of the Israel Defence Forces.

A memory wall featuring the work of ninth and 10th graders, and featuring the stories of fallen soldiers and victims of terror, was set up in the school’s lobby, allowing everyone to pay their respects and read more about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our homeland.