#1 - Our 8th Grade Superheroes

As I mulled over a title for our first blog entry, chronicling our day in Israel, the first that came to mind for me was, “Our 8th Grade Superheroes,” for truly they have proven themselves to be just that, in the ways they have engaged in the experiences of the past 24 hours, despite the jetlag of having just landed! Needless to say, we are all very proud of them.

 

Our morning began with a deeply rewarding experience at Beit Hagalgalim (House of Wheels), a recreation center for people with physical disabilities, many of whom are wheelchair bound. After a typically delicious Israeli breakfast, we boarded our bus and headed out to Herzeliyah for a special program with the center’s participants. In the two hours we spent there, the 8th graders rotated between two activities. In one activity, they spent time meeting and interacting with their hosts, who, together with their counselors, had prepared a joint art activity in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, as a way to get to know their guests. It was truly inspiring to watch our students unabashedly doing their best to get to know their hosts, using every means of communication to learn about their favorite places in Israel, and to share about the parts of their Israel trip that they were looking forward to most. The center’s participants were so happy to visit with us; one of the residents, Erikah Malmud, presented us with a book she wrote, titled One Day in a Wheelchair, including a special inscription for our students.

 

The second rotation offered our students the opportunity to learn first-hand from some of the center’s graduates about the challenges wheelchair-bound individuals face during their day-to-day lives. Students engaged in simulations and participated in presentations about communication and accessibility, given by these inspiring individuals who do not let their physical challenges keep them from living full and meaningful lives. It felt great to begin our visit in Israel with this experience of connecting with others, bringing joy, and experiencing so much satisfaction in the process.

 

After saying our goodbyes and promising to continue our connection with this special organization, we turned our attention to the second part of our day as we began our preparations—both in content and tone—for Erev Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. Our first stop after lunch was a Heichal Ha’atzmaut, Independence Hall, on 16 Rothschild Blvd, the historical building where, on May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. During their visit—through movies, dynamic docents, and reenactment—our students learned about Theodor Herzl and the history of Tel Aviv, the UN Partition Plan, the tense events of the UN Partition vote, and the weeks leading to Ben-Gurion’s announcement. And all this, right in the very room where this pivotal moment in our people’s history took place.

 

I forgot to mention that we are fortunate to have our two educator guides, Yifat and Yonatan, guiding our group again for the third year in a row. Our group divides into two, one led by Yifat and the other by Yonatan. After departing Independence Hall, we found a nice shady park. Here, both guides led their group in a focused session to discuss the nature and meaning of Israel’s Remembrance Day observance, incorporating poetry and student discussion. Then it was time to head back to the hotel for a brief rest and a change of clothes.

 

An hour later, we boarded the bus in our white shirts in honor of Yom HaZikaron to travel to Petach Tikvah where we had been invited by a local middle school to participate in their remembrance ceremony, serving the broader Petah Tikva Orthodox community. We were touched by the warmth with which we were welcomed into this close-knit community, even on this somber evening.

 

Three of our students participated in the lighting of the memorial candles. And, despite their long day and jetlag fatigue, our superheroes represented our community beautifully, taking in as much as possible and fully understanding the importance of this experience, and understanding Israel and her people.

 

As in previous years, I was asked to share a few words in Hebrew, and did so straight from my heart. As I think about our Brandeis and Bay Area communities on the eve of Yom HaZikaron I am sharing my words with you here, translated from the Hebrew:

 

Dear students, educators, and families of Ulpanat Bnei Akivah Yeshurun, and members of the Petah Tikvah community. I am honored this evening to represent our school, The Brandeis School of San Francisco, a Jewish school serving more than 360 students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Thank you for taking us into your hearts, inviting us to take part in this evening’s Yom HaZikaron ceremony. In these moments, our school is preparing for its own observances, which will be attended by students and families in our school.

 

Although San Francisco is many miles away, as educators we strive to bring our students’ hearts closer to Israel. We educate our students based on the values of Ahavat Yisrael (love of Israel) and Klal Yisrael (Jewish peoplehood), from a place of deep-held conviction that Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Lazeh (All the people of Israel are responsible for one another).

 

Finally, I would like to share a prayer from the words of the prophet, Isaiah:

 

“…And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

 

May this day come soon, in our lifetime. Amen.

 

From the land of milk and honey and sleeping superheroes, laila tov (goodnight).

 

Israel Trip Leader