SKA - Yom HaAtzmaut 1

SKA students marking Yom HaAtzma’ut
SKA students marking Yom HaAtzma’ut

After observing a moving Yom HaZikaron the previous day, the students at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls welcomed Israel Independence Day on Thursday, May 12, with pride, exultation, and thanks, commencing with tefillah chagigit, as the whole school joined together for Shacharit in the auditorium. In addition to the festive Israeli lunch provided by SKA’s Parent Teacher Council, through videoconferencing, they heard from Mrs. Shayna Goldberg, who made aliyah to Alon Shvut several years ago and in a warm and honest way shared her Israel experience with the school.

In an SKA first, the students had the opportunity to come up with new and innovative ideas to demonstrate their passion and love for the State of Israel. Excitement in the school for Yom HaAtzma’ut built up over several days with preparation for a creative and exhilarating “Israel–Past, Present and Future” Shark Tank competition. Groups had the chance to present their plans to use the Sharks’ investment to raise awareness or show support for Israel in a grade-wide and then school-wide appearance and then be judged by a panel of experts.

The program was enthusiastically received. Thanks to Rabbi Heshie Billet, Mr. David Cutler, Mrs. Elizabeth Kurtz, and Mr. Steven Savitsky for graciously being the “Sharks.” Congratulations to Mrs. Lasher and 11th-graders Estee Cohen, Tehila Deil, Ariella Goldberg, Tamara Morduchowitz, Isabella Oliner, Rebecca Saffra, Kayla Silverstein, Devora Spielman, Gabriella Spirgel, Batsheva Steinberg, Shira Tobaly, Shoshi Tuchman, Rivka Zimmerman, and Devorah Zweig for their winning vision of establishing Israeli Magen Dovid bases around the world to serve as first-responders. Thanks go to all the facilitators of the Shark Tank groups whose efforts and commitment made this program such a success.

The annual Yom HaAtzma’ut chagigah was once again filled with spirit and ruach. Happy 68th birthday to our beloved State of Israel!

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