In an Israel state of mind

Everyone at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School (HAFTR) has been in an Israel state of mind in recent weeks. The student body commemorated two important holidays on the Hebrew calendar, Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day).
For Yom Hazikaron, a group of seniors guided by HAFTR Zionism teacher Tuvia Book prepared a moving ceremony in memory of fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror. Seniors Mark Generowicz, Rotem Noah, Michael Weissman, Daniella Seelenfreund, Katie Glickman and Harlee Miller recited beautiful Israeli poetry. Rabbi Hillel Lichtman, Mia Rubin, a former member of the Israel Defense Forces, and Book recited Tefilot in memory of the 23,320 soldiers who have died since Israel’s inception in 1948. The program included the screening of a short documentary about two soldiers who studied at the Mechina Bnei David Yeshiva in Eli and who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Israel. The ceremony concluded with the singing of Israel’s national anthem “Hatikvah” (“Hope”).
In celebration of Israel’s founding on Yom HaAtzmaut, students took part in HAFTR’s annual Color War competition. The teams, Yellow (freshmen), Green (sophomores), White (juniors), and Blue (seniors), were tasked with painting a mural in one of the school’s stairwells, composing a team song and recording a viral video. In addition, the teams participated in a “Minute to Win It” competition, an apache relay, a dodge ball tournament and a Judaic quiz bowl. Students also traveled to Grant Park in Hewlett to play multiple sports including softball, basketball and kickball.
The next day, the teams congregated in the school’s auditorium for the presentations. Everyone applauded as photos of the outstanding murals painted by each grade were displayed. Each team then ascended the stairs to the stage to sing their team songs, and then presented their team videos. The white team — the juniors — won.
A special thank you to. Naomi Lippman, principal, General Studies, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, principal, Judaic Studies, Jordan Nadelbach, director of Student Activities, and Mindy Schachar, assistant director of Student Activities, for organizing the festivities.