On April 18th, H.A.N.C. Middle School participated in a Yom Hazikaron Assembly which was led by Morah Aronowitz. It was a well organized and moving Tekes. Mor Sharoni played a soft tune on his guitar to introduce the procession of the 8th Grade presenters. The students gave several presentations, all heart-felt and filled with emotion. All focus was on the soldiers, and one by one, we spoke about fallen soldiers and their life and how they were killed. Yizkor, Mi Shebeirach, and Tefilat L'Medinat Yisrael were read. We read poems, each one sadder and more beautiful than the last, and then watched a heart-wrenching film about a mother mourning her two sons. Both were enlisted in the IDF and fell in combat. Around the room people cried, and I like to think that even though we are across the globe, we truly got an insight of the daily struggles of the citizens of Israel.
The next day, though, we once again made our way to an assembly, not to mourn, but to celebrate. This time the Middle School and High School had a joint assembly, only making it more exciting. An hour of music and joy whizzed by, leaving us breathless and smiling. Right before the end, though, we came together in a slow circle and sang together slow songs. Looking around, I remember feeling a strong sense of pride, not just of H.A.N.C., but that I was able to be a part of Israel and the Jewish people. Then to cap an amazing day, we gathered again and Morah Aronowitz presented a film about the accomplishments of the nation of Israel. Though the highlight of the assembly was definitely a movie made by my fellow classmates and I in which we wished Medinat Yisrael a happy 70th Birthday. All around, it was a wonderful and creative display. Without a doubt, the Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut programs were the best I've ever participated in and they were something that I will remember for years to come.
By: Ori Baer
UPCOMING EVENTS
April
24 - Amish trip - 7
th grade
May
3 - Lag B'Omer
9-10 Washington trip - 8th grade
11 - trip recovery day
14 - Scrabble Tournament
14 - Yom Yerushalayim
15 - Gurwin trip
23 - Seventh grade mother-daughter booktalk - at night
