This year, the State of Israel passed a major milestone: on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, it turned 70 years old. Shulamith High School celebrated this landmark achievement in style. The day was divided into seven sessions, corresponding to Israel’s seven decades. Each period had a choice of activities keyed to the events of that decade of Israel’s history. From immigration and defense to innovation and the arts, the students immersed themselves in the politics, history, and culture of the Jewish Homeland. The sessions, which were lovingly created by Shulamith’s multitalented faculty, spanned a wide cross-section of the essence of Israel.

In a session entitled “Anatomy of an Anthem,” Dr. Dora Haar taught the lyrics, music, and controversy surrounding Hatikvah. In “More than the Hora,” students danced with Raina Butler to some of their old favorites from bat mitzvahs and learned the newest dance moves from Israel. At a hands-on STEM session led by Effie Allman, students learned how drip irrigation works and tried it out on flowers and vegetables that they planted. After a delicious Israeli-style mangal (barbecue lunch), students were treated to a live concert featuring Simcha Leiner. Then they showed off their own vocal chops in Shulamith’s own Eurovision contest! Aliza Abramson, a three-time silver medalist in karate at the 2017 World Maccabiah games, taught the girls the fundamentals of Krav Maga. With Tamar Herskovitz, students learned pyrography, the art of decorating wood with a heated metallic pen, and created olive wood plaques featuring the images of chayalim (IDF soldiers) at the Kotel. There was even a crash course in what real Israeli teenagers experience in IDF boot camp.

With broad smiles beaming through face paint and eye black stickers, and Israeli flags draped over their shoulders, the girls radiated energy and enthusiasm as they moved from one session to the next. A spectacular celebration of Israel’s indomitable spirit, the day showcased Shulamith at its best.

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