Their Yom Haatzmaut program combined song, dance and prayer dedicated to Israel.
During the evening program, each student, from first through eighth grade, participated in the festivities which were held in All Sport Brooklyn. Beginning with an Israeli soldier march, they honored members of the Israeli Defense Forces and their loyalty to defending Israel. Second and third grade girls sang Rak Tefila Esa followed by the fifth grade girls exciting drumming performance. Second and third grade boys sang the pizmon Yahaloma Yahaloma. A captivating glockenspiel (a percussion instrument) performance by the fourth grade girls consisted of songs Am Yisrael Hai, David Melech Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael Sheli all of which honored Israel.
Jerusalem was built with stones by the sixth and seventh grade girls and the sixth through eighth grade boys entertained with an emotional Israeli flag dance. As a symbol of Israels freedom and independence, 1st grade boys and girls released balloons at the conclusion of the program.
Rosh Yeshivah, Rabbi Dweck spoke about the importance of having a homeland and reminded us how fortunate we are to be able to visit the land freely.
Attendees enjoyed the moving performances and were consumed by a feeling of pride to be a part of the Jewish people and to call Israel home.
The festivities continued in school the following day, where the benot sherut (participants of the program) decorated each classroom to honor various beautiful parts of Israel.
Early Childhood students pretended to visit the Galil and planted flowers; shopped in the shuk for vegetables and made Israeli salad; received Israeli army training; relaxed in sunny Eilat while searching for seashells and worked on a kibbutz milking cows and making freshly squeezed orange juice. They also dressed for cold weather in Hermon while sipping hot chocolate.
Elementary and Middle School classes pretended to visit Yam Hamelah and created colored sand art with salt; ate ice cream in cold Har HaHermon; completed a life-size puzzle of MaArat HaMahpela in Hebron; received army training in Tel Aviv and more. Each activity brought a bit of Israel to Barkai.
It is an honor to commemorate the occasion of Israels 64 years of independence and everyone shared the happiness of the special day.
Thank you to Rachel and David Dweck for hosting the event.
