In honor of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tenafly Chabad Academy had several programs and discussions throughout the day to commemorate and remember all of our brothers and sisters, as well as all other innocent victims, who were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust.

After tefillah, all students in grades fifth through eighth gathered for a meaningful assembly, where they watched an informative slideshow, with interesting historical facts, statistics and age-appropriate images. After that, a moving video was shared featuring an Italian Holocaust survivor who retold her story of survival from the time she was separated from her mother and grandmother and was sent to hiding in a convent. After these presentations, several eighth graders read poems written in concentration camps by children and other unknown victims. The assembly ended with a candle lighting in memory of the six million Jewish lives that were lost.

In the younger grades, each teacher spoke to her class about the significance of the day in a sensitive and developmentally appropriate manner. The focus for the younger students was the importance of being kind to and accepting of everyone, even if they are different than us.

The takeaway message from the day was two-fold: First, we will never forget, and second, we will always and forever treasure and be openly proud of our Jewish identity.

Yehi zichram baruch. May their memory be blessed.