On Sunday, May 12, more than 500 people gathered for our Yom HaZikaron Vigil for the Fallen at Temple Israel. We heard the stories of four former campers from the Elaine and Michael Serling Israel Camper Program who were killed on October 7th or during their brave service in the IDF since. We also heard from Yadin Gellman, an IDF elite unit hero, who told his story of October 7th. Our Shinshinim, Itay, Itamar, Shahaf, Erela and Ofri worked hard to create beautiful and meaningful displays with their students at Frankel Jewish Academy, Hillel Day School and Farber Hebrew Day School.
severely wounded fighting in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7.
The students at Frankel Jewish Academy created a display in memory of victims from the Nova Music Festival. It included five songs about the incident released since the massacre and information about the “Taste of Memories.” A program where families of those lost ask us to honor their loved ones by learning about, making and sharing their favorite recipes.
Farber Hebrew Day School’s powerful memorial was a mask made entirely from photos of bereaved families. Its message signifies that, right now, these families represent the “Face of Israel.”
Hillel Day School created a 3D map of all the Kibbutzim and communities attacked on October 7th. In each place, they put a Dam HaMaccabim Flower, the symbol of Yom HaZikaron. The students also wrote notes to the surviving kibbutz members.
Hillel students also wrote notes from the perspective of a bereaved mother to their child and displayed them with stuffed animals to represent the toys the children will never play with again.
In case you were unable to attend, you can watch a recording of the entire vigil here.