For Yom Hazikaron, the Yavneh middle school students were privileged to Zoom with two Israeli soldiers from the Lone Soldier program and the Michael Levin Base organization. One visitor was a soldier in the regular IDF and the other was a bat sherut. Each soldier explained how they had such a strong love for the land that they felt an obligation to defend it. It was so inspirational to hear their stories firsthand.

The soldier was originally from Connecticut and joined the IDF after seminary. She became part of the search and rescue team. She is based near Gaza and recently partook in a drill with a select few soldiers. In this drill, she acted as the victim and she was moved by the experience and was able to connect to future victims. Once she completes her time in the army she hopes to return to seminary.

The bat sherut was originally from California and had made aliyah with her family when she was in 10th grade. Since it was within the first 10 years of her family making aliyah she is still eligible to partake in Michael Levin Base organization. Her job is to contact people and let them know that they have property in Israel that has not been claimed.

The students came away with a sense of pride for the land of Israel as well as some were even saying…“ I want to serve now!”

On Yom Hazikaron itself, the Yavneh middle school Ivrit teachers helped further students’ connection to Eretz Yisrael and the chayalim. They viewed a video about Michael Levin and discussed not only what the soldiers themselves give up to defend the land and its people, but also how every family in Israel is connected to Tzahal. They further discussed how Israelis spend Yom Hazikaron (very different than how many Americans spend Memorial Day), and how it is purposely placed right before Yom Ha’atzmaut so that the celebration of independence becomes more meaningful through a recognition of the sacrifices that so many have made to make it and keep it a reality.