Years 6-12 students and staff marked Yom HaZikaron this week in an assembly that honoured Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

Director of Jewish Life and Learning Ilan Bloch shared how Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, the founder of the Mussar movement, stressed that if a fellow Jew is in pain, we are all in pain. This Yom HaZikaron marks 571 days since the hostages were taken and we are all in pain as we collectively yearn for their release. Principal Marc Light laid a memorial wreath for Israelis who have died at the hands of war and terror. Please click here to see images from the assembly.

Our students lit specific memorial candles for Mira Ben Ari who died defending Kibbutz Nitzanim in 1948; Keren Tendler, who was shot down in a helicopter in the second Lebanon War; soldiers Gilad Arye Boim and Yosef Avner Doran who were killed in Gaza; Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas; and Shir Eilat who was killed defending Nahal Oz on October 7. Students also led the Mourner’s Kaddish and Yizkor, while teacher Geoff Garber leyned El Maleh Rachamim. Visiting Israeli Naama Ronder read the Prayer for the Redemption of the Hostages and JNF representative Eldad Shoham read the Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel. Nana Band beautifully performed ‘Thorns’ by Aviv Gefen and ‘Shir Tikva’ by Shimon Buskila and Michael Vaknin.

hank you to everyone involved in creating this meaningful commemoration, particularly the students and our dedicated Hebrew teachers. May we see the freedom of the hostages soon, and peace and security in the region.