Yom HaZikaron & Yom Ha'Atzmaut Commemorations

Yom HaZikaron was commemorated Tuesday in online ceremonies for Grades 6-12 led by Student Life Director Yishai Cohen, as well as by faculty and students. Yom HaZikaron honors the lives lost during wars and terrorist attacks. Yizkor was recited by Upper School teacher Yossi Yativ. Faculty who also are Israel Defense Force (IDF) veterans Galit Geiger, Johanna Gorin, Shoshana Katz, Ofra Mor, Shai Ovadia, Sharon Rabinovitz and Mr. Yativ spoke of the impact of military service on their lives. Middle School student Ariella Bitton ’24 (violin) and arts teacher Angelica Losada (piano) played “Mi Shechalam-He who Dreamt,” followed by the Misheberach prayer, recited by Mr. Ovadia. Rabbi Elie Ganz, Upper School Judaic Studies teacher, spoke with high school students to provide additional comfort during difficult times. Our students attended these online ceremonies in the hundreds, seeking and finding comfort in their incredible community.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut was no different. An online schoolwide celebration brought together nearly 1,000 viewers across several digital platforms. The program opened with greetings from five hayalim (IDF soldiers) with Scheck Hillel roots: Or Karavani, son of Lower School Director of Judaic Studies and Hebrew Dror Karavani; Moshe Levy, son of Rabbinic Head Dr. Ezra Levy; Jamie Asaraf, niece of Lower School Judaic Studies teacher Ofra Sharabani, David Nagli, son of Lower School Kindergarten teacher Nata Levi, and Noa Daniel, granddaughter of Tovah Yemin, Lower School Hebrew Language Coordinator. Dr. Levy provided a special tool for thinking about the challenges of distance during difficult times. He said, “Distance is difficult, love is stronger.”  

To transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom Ha’Atzmaut, students heard a message from IDF Lt. Major Steve Gar, who taught about the Jewish response to pain and suffering: “We’re a nation that gets up like Lions,” he said, underscoring how we care for our fellow Jews. Rabbi Elie Ganz was joined from Israel by his brother Avi Ganz, with a very special performance of “K’Shehalev Boche-When the Heart Cries,” followed by Hatikva and flag raising on our campus. The program also included a photo album of Scheck Hillel families enjoying trips to Israel or celebrating at home.     

Later in the day, Scheck Hillel participated along with Jewish day schools in 25 countries in a global Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration. Middle School student Tali Lancewicki '24 read a passage in Hebrew. 

Kindergarten-Grade 5 shared special programs in online classes throughout the morning. To complete the day, a parade of Early Childhood Lion Cubs came through campus in decorated cars to wave flags and greet our Lion mascot and their socially-distanced teachers, a heartfelt and fun conclusion to an extraordinary day!