PHOTOS: YEHUDA JOFFE / C. SCHVARCZ PHOTOGRAPHY
YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH (YOF) AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH. THOUSANDS GATHERED AT THE FORD AMPHITHEATER ALONG THE CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK TO PARTICIPATE IN YOF’S YOM HAZIKARON PROGRAM AND YOM HA’ATZMAUT CONCERT FEATURING THE FAMOUS SINGER YAAKOV SHWEKEY.
The warmth of the Flatbush family was palpable as students, parents, faculty, and the community at large—a total of more than 4,000 attendees—filled the theater.
Flatbush’s deep-rooted connection to Medinat Yisrael was exhibited as alumna Cynthia Benun addressed the crowd. Benun recently served in the sniper and counterterrorism units of the IDF. After her speech, 14 current YOF staff members and one alumnus who all also served in the IDF, marched down the aisles, while proudly carrying each of their unit’s flags. Guests took part in a moving candle lighting ceremony and observed a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers.
“While our community consists of so many beautifully diverse families, one idea truly unites us all—the Land of Israel. The greatest and most significant miracle our people have witnessed in the last 2,000 years is only 74 years young. While we sit physically far away from our home, our hearts and minds reside in the East. We must never forget the revealed presence of Hashem that we witnessed then and continue to witness. We must continue to show our eternal hakarat hatov, our deep appreciation, with hallel and hoda’ah and continue to pray that we will soon celebrate in Yerushalayim HaBenuya together,” expressed Elementary School Head of School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi.
Joel Braverman High School Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda led a special Tefillah Arvit Chagigit, the prayers instituted by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
After the somber commemoration ceremony, the cheerful Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration began with Yaakov Shwekey singing his popular hits, as students hugged each other and wrapped themselves up in Israeli flags. The room was dotted with blue and white and enveloped in bright lights as guests danced along to the music. Guests were treated to both the Elementary School choir, led by Ricky Sasson, and the High School choir, led by Mordy Weinstein, and were happy to sing along to the popular tunes.
Yaakov Shwekey performed an illuminating and inspiring show, joined by the thousands of voices who all knew the words to his songs. YOF 5th grader Jack Hidary was the second star of the show, as he belted out “Kol HaNeshama” to an appreciative audience, in honor of his father, YOF President and alumnus Abie J. Hidary. Shwekey joined him on stage at the end of the song.
The overall experience of the evening was designed to create the same look and feel of the celebrations that happen in Israel. To set the mood, candy, Israeli drinks, falafel and other Israeli snacks were sold at an authentically-decorated, Israeli-style shuk at the event. The event was the joint vision of Rabbi Tsaidi, Rabbi Joseph Beyda, and YOF Executive Director Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman.
“This program was a landmark event for the Yeshivah community. Under one tent, the entire Flatbush family congregated to celebrate one of our core values, Medinat Yisrael,” shared Rabbi Beyda.
The evening was intended to be one of the most powerful celebrations of Yom Ha’Atzmaut outside of Israel. YOF Events Coordinator Hana Hasson tirelessly planned the evening along with YOF faculty members Rachel Winkler, Sally Shatzkes, Iris Bukobza, Esther Chehova, Iris Sabtaniy, and YOF volunteers Sophia Shamash and Sarah Tawil. The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration was dedicated by the Mamiye family.
