On Yom Hazikaron last Wednesday, Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) conducted a program featuring four speakers who told their stories regarding the current conditions in Israel, including unfortunate incidents of terror.
The first speaker was Rabbi Eli Cohn who spoke generally about the importance of Yom Hazikaron, and about taking time out of our busy lives to remember the 23,320 lives that were unfortunately lost while defending, and just living in, the land of Israel.
Then, 10th graders Jacob Lauer and Eli Burg, who attended the Makor Chaim exchange program earlier this year and witnessed the effects of terrorism firsthand, detailed their feelings when they learned that their friend Akiva Meir, a Makor Chaim student, experienced the tragic death of his mother during a brutal terrorist attack.
Shmuli Goldis, a veteran Israeli paratrooper and coach of MTA’s baseball team, then told his story from Operation Protective Edge, the search for the three captured boys two summers ago, as well as his personal connection to the ambush and murder of Tzahal soldier Hadar Goldin. A clip about Hadar was shown; it detailed his kidnap by Hamas militants during an attempted ceasefire and also elaborated on his life and time in the army as a Givati Soldier.
After the speeches, the MTA choir sang the Israeli National Anthem, Hatikvah and Acheinu. The program created an emotional venue for students to reflect on the message of Yom Hazikaron, and helped deepen the students’ appreciation and understanding of Israel and those who lost their lives for it.
By Bentzion Zuckier
