On Monday, Yeshivat Noam commemorated the first anniversary of October 7 with a full day of programming that highlighted messages of unity, heroism and hope. Bulletin boards and displays created by Yeshivat Noam’s four Israeli bnot sherut set the tone for the day and helped the students learn more about October 7.
Students wrote hundreds of letters to Israeli soldiers in both Hebrew and English, expressing solidarity and thanking them for their service. Daniel Rothner of Areyvut helped guide many of the day’s activities, including . making Israeli flags for Simchat Torah, misheberach cards for candle lighting, and avinu shebashamayim Sukkah decorations.
Third through fifth graders joined nearly 3,000 students from 20 yeshiva day schools across the East Coast for the Yeshiva Day Schools United in Tefillah program. Hosted over Zoom, the event brought everyone together for a powerful morning of unity, tefillah and hope.
Students are collecting tzedaka for Aminadav, started by the school’s former shlichim Liad and Liron Zimmerman, which helps Israeli immigrant girls at risk by providing a warm home and volunteer opportunities in Israel to build future success.
Middle school students participated in Heroes Live On, during which they watched a video about two heroes, Yosef and Senai Guedalia. Each student then chose a hero to research (on heroes-live-on.com) and learn about their positive character traits to continue their legacy.
Next for middle school students was an assembly with over 50 other schools around the world led by World Mizrachi. Four perakim of Mishnayot were learned, each led by someone in Israel who lost a loved one on October 7 or over the past year.
The learning was followed by “Ask the Rabbi: A Roundtable Q & A” with Rav Yaakov Neuburger. Questions focused on the power of tefillah, where was Hashem on October 7, why is there so much antisemitism, and how can we be happy when there are hostages still in captivity.
The school then recited the entire sefer Tehillim together. Rabbi Hagler spoke about the importance of tefillah and the day concluded with a meaningful kumzitz. Bat sherut Renana Shalom shared the harrowing story of her family’s rescue from Kfar Maimon, just four kilometers from the Gaza border, on October 7. Students sang “Hatikvah,” and were charged by Rabbi Hagler to always remember “Acheinu, we are one family; and ‘Am Yisrael Chai,’ we are strong and the Jewish people are strong.”
