Today was a day unlike any we have ever experienced in America. We were so busy - and the day so long - that I forgot to get any of the kids to write a blog post - and not only that - I hardly got any pictures from most of the day (and while i will post them - they aren't very good). I will repost when i get a chance - as Karen got some great pictures from today's commemoration. the day began with our students going to school with the Israeli students - to Spanish, Hebrew, or Biology classes. Then we met in the school principal, David Lavon's office - where the kids got a chance to meet this dynamic, caring educator - who was proud to show off a recent copy of Ma'ariv - which listed his school as one of the ten best in all of Israel. We talked with David about school - about life in LA, and the students perspectives about Israel. You should be very proud of them - they were not only articulate, but were charming and polite as well. While we were in his office, the National siren went off, and our students, along with Israeli's everywhere, stood for a moment of silence, in memory of all those who died in the Holocaust.
After that, we went to meet with the chair person of the English department, who did a lesson on Jewish identity and how it differs from Israeli identity. We examined two poems by Yehuda Amichai, and had a wonderful lesson on what it means to be both an Israeli and a Jew - how they differ - how they are similar - and is an Israeli who is a Jew, different or the same as an American who is a Jew. Following that class, we went outside to the patio, and participated in a school wide assembly - of twelve hundred students, led by the eleventh graders who recently returned from their class trip to Poland. Six memorial candles were lit, and six people gave speeches about the Holocaust. Rabbi Raff was given the honor of speaking about the Holocaust and he lit the final candle, and he spoke in both Hebrew and English about the importance of stopping genocide anywhere it raises its ugly head. Only then, he said, do we show that we understand the lesson of the Holocaust.
Following the ceremony, we all had lunch, and then we went to Beit Hafutsot - the Museum of the Diaspora. We toured the museum, asking the question, How have Jews survived as those who have conquered us in every empire - for three thousand years, have perished, and yet we survive. Our guide led us in discussion, showed us around the museum, and taught us much in a session that lasted all afternoon. The kids spent the evening with their partners. Unfortunately, it is now almost 1 am, and i have been unable to successfully upload the pictures from today. Since the only pictures in my camera from today, are from us at the museum - and i have a 6:30 wake up call, i am going to give up posting pictures for tonight, and i will post pictures from today, tomorrow night and when i get Karen's camera, and I will update the post.
Tomorrow we are going to the north - taking a water hike - and going river rafting in the Jordan. A long and very wet day ahead. Will blog more when i get back late tomorrow night.
Sounds like an awesome day! And so moving to be there at this time.
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