On Thursday, April 8, the entire TABC community gathered remotely to commemorate Yom HaShoah. Students, faculty and staff simultaneously viewed a program organized by Ms. Donna Hoenig and filmed and edited by Ms. Cary Riker. Mr. Aryeh Tiefenbrunn put the video on to EdPuzzle so that students could watch the program and respond to it in a meaningful way. Head of School Rabbi Shlomo Adelman began the program with an introduction, reiterating the importance of the day today and for generations to come. Senior Ari Gross introduced three stories from seniors Jakob Berger, Elisha Alter and AJ Zimbalist about their families’ dramatic survival of the Shoah. Following their stories, the seniors lit six candles in memory of their grandfathers. All students and faculty members at TABC received yahrzeit candles from Our Six Million, a program to commemorate those lost in the Shoah. Natanel Herstick, who donated the candles to TABC, discussed the meaning of the candles. Senior Uri Ostrin interviewed his grandfather, George Blank, who survived the Shoah. Blank spoke movingly of his experiences and left students with a message of perseverance and hope. The program concluded with Rabbi Yosef Adler performing the “Kel Maleh.”

The following week, TABC students had a special Yom Hazikaron commemoration, planned by Morah Anat Brayer, Morah Yael Fish and Tzach Yoked, to honor and remember 23,928 fallen soldiers of the IDF and civilian victims of terrorism that were killed al kiddush Hashem for Medinat Yisrael, The program included the personal story of Michael Levin HY”D, tefillot, and music presented by students and faculty, as well as a powerful introduction by Rabbi Adelman and a moving “Kel Maleh Rachamim” by Dr. Michael Atlas.

And me’apheila l’orah, TABC students were privileged to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut in style! The festivities commenced with a carnival run by Rabbi Kessel’s Y10A shiur to benefit Chai Lifeline. As Israeli music blasted in the background, and students enjoyed blue and white donuts, faculty and students alike played carnival games featuring classics such as 3-Point Shootout, Golf Hole-in-One, How Many Candies in a Jar, Hockey Accuracy, Fish Bowl and more. Students were motivated to play and win with a variety of awesome prizes on the line. Close to $2,000 was raised. Following the carnival, each grade had a special lunch of shawarma, hummus, techina, salad and fresh pita.