Photos and Videos Inside: US Students Commemorate October 7 with a Full Day of Programming

 

Upper School students dedicated the day on October 7 to learning, reflection, conversation, and community. On Sunday, October 6, student volunteers came to decorate the lobby with the names and photos of the 10/7 victims to honor their memories and set the tone for the next day. After tefilla, US students participated in the schoolwide Zoom commemoration ceremony. Then, they had a morning assembly, with prayers led by students and faculty members, a yahrzeit candle lighting ceremony, and moving musical performances. They also heard from US faculty member Yris Bilia, who shared her experience getting real time Whatsapp updates and pictures from her cousin who lived in the Gaza envelope on October 7, and Ira Kohler, an IDF Paratrooper who was on duty on 10/7 and served for months afterward in Gaza.

During the rest of the day, students dedicated their Judaic studies periods to guided reflective conversations and sessions about the impact of October 7th on their own lives and the Jewish community at large. The day concluded with a meaningful candlelit kumzitz in the auditorium. Students sang songs of hope and resilience and heard from Rabbi Lookstein '88 who spoke about the connection that American Jews feel with each other and with Israelis after October 7. They also heard from Ramaz alum and IDF sharpshooter Mark Dweck '20. Mark spoke about how he was home in NY on 10/7 recovering from an injury while some of his unit was on base. He told the story of his heroic unit-mates who gave their lives protecting others from terrorist attacks on that day. While he continues to recover, Mark has made it his mission to go around and tell the story of his unit. He encouraged students to think about how they can make a difference, even if they are not on the ground in Israel. 

After school, some students joined the wider NYC Jewish community in Central Park for a ceremony organized by UJA Federation. The ceremony featured joint performances from the Ramaz, Heschel, and SAR high school choirs. Students from the choir were excited to meet Israeli popstar and Eurovision contestant Eden Golan, who loved their performance. 

For a full photo album please click here