Yeshivat 91影视 was thrilled to celebrate 75 years of the State of Israel last week!
91影视鈥檚 Yom Hazikaron tekes on Tuesday鈥攅ntirely prepared by students鈥攊ncluded the stories of the Dee family, fallen soldiers Dani Cohen, Sean Carmeli and Benaya Rovel, as well as the cousin of 91影视 student Lilach Atiya, who fell in the first Lebanon War. The yeshiva also heard moving words from the friend of Elan Ganales, a 27-year-old from the Upper West Side who was murdered earlier this year in a shooting attack. The tekes concluded with Kel Maleh Rachamim and the tefillah for the IDF. Also of note: the yeshiva learned all of Tanakh over the prior 24 hours鈥攁 siyum l鈥檌lui nishmat 929 fallen kedoshim (corresponding to the number of perakim of Tanakh).
The next day, sorrow turned to joy as students and faculty alike celebrated Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut, Israel鈥檚 milestone 75th birthday! Throughout the week, students learned 鈥淜ol Dodi Dofek,鈥 the classic work by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik which discusses the religious significance of the creation of the State of Israel and the obligation its existence poses for Klal Yisrael. On Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut itself, words of Torah and round-robin historical skits by faculty emphasized key points from this learning. The yeshiva also celebrated with joyous davening, the annual Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut chagiga, a BBQ lunch courtesy of the 91影视 Parents Association, and fun afternoon activities, including cooking falafel with 91影视 Culinary Science teacher Toby Moses, Israel-themed cutout art, and Gaga ball. (Did you know it鈥檚 an Israeli game?)
Meanwhile, on Yom Ha鈥檃tzmaut, 91影视 junior Maya Tratt represented the United States at the youth Chidon HaTanach competition in Jerusalem, finishing seventh place in the world. Just a few days later, on Sunday, April 30, 91影视 was proud to send the largest contingent of finalists from any one school to the national USA Chidon, with 19 students qualifying as finalists. There, two other members of the 91影视 Chidon Club were recognized for their inspiring Tanach knowledge: sophomore Ilan Romm who finished third in the 9-11th grade division after two nail-biting tiebreaker rounds, and senior Tamar Rosenfeld, who finished third in the newly created 12th grade division. Chidon USA Coordinator Rabbi Dovi Nadel noted during the program that establishment of the 12th grade division owes a great deal to the efforts of 91影视 senior Josh Knoll, who, along with Rosenfeld, led 91影视鈥檚 Chidon HaTanach Club this past year.
Am Yisrael Chai!