In honor of Yom HaShoah, the students in grades fifth through eighth received memorial candles, each bearing the name of an individual who perished in the Shoah. By scanning the QR code on the candles, students researched that person and shared what they learned with their classmates. Many chose to write about family members who lived through the Holocaust as well, bringing a deeper meaning to the experience.

At the Yom HaShoah assembly, eighth graders led the candle lighting ceremony, lighting six candles to represent the six million lives. Students were also honored to hear from Manny Buchman, a Holocaust survivor, who shared his remarkable and inspirational story. Buchman’s final message to the children was to always have faith in Hashem and continue to live lives of faith and Torah values. The children showered Buchman with hugs, handshakes, thank yous and expressions of what his story meant to them.

Each student honored a memory. Each was a witness. May the memories of each of the six million souls forever be a blessing.